CAUT

  • 1.  removing a dead mouse from a PLSS water tank without dropping down the tank?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-12-2025 13:28

    Greetings,

    A colleague just reached out with a question to which I do not have an answer. A client of his, who lives in a remote area, apparently has a dead mouse in the water tank of their Piano Life Saver System. (AKA Dampp Chaser) The client is apprehensive about dropping the tank in order to remove the mouse, and would like to know if there might be a way to extract the critter with the tank in place. It is a single tank system.

    Thoughts?

    Thanks,

    Alan



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    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
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  • 2.  RE: removing a dead mouse from a PLSS water tank without dropping down the tank?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-12-2025 21:15

    Client needs to hire a qualified exterminator.



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    Parker Leigh RPT
    Winchester VA
    (540) 722-3865
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  • 3.  RE: removing a dead mouse from a PLSS water tank without dropping down the tank?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-13-2025 08:17
    I know Hantavirus can be a concern, so yes to a professional removing the mouse. Presumably, the tank will need a thorough cleaning, so if he/ she can get a bit of instruction, they could drop the tank, get rid of mouse and clean the pieces in/ around the tank. I would guess this wasn't the world's unluckiest mouse, Damppchaser will likely have some advice. It probably has happened before.
    David Graham
    Graham Piano Service, Inc.
    512 S. Main St.
    Sycamore IL 60178
    815-353-5450







  • 4.  RE: removing a dead mouse from a PLSS water tank without dropping down the tank?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-13-2025 11:25
    My first thought is to simply put on a glove, hold your breath, reach in there, and grab it.
    However, I’d think you’d want to clean out the whole system—liner, any remaining water, etc.
    Otherwise then you’ve got “dead mouse juice” remaining in there, right?




  • 5.  RE: removing a dead mouse from a PLSS water tank without dropping down the tank?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-13-2025 11:57

    A gloved hand just might work. thanks for the idea, Scott!

    Alan



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    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
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