Replies

1. 
   Kent_F | Oct 01, 2004 01:23am | #1

   Personally, I wouldn't want to suck up pigeon mess with my DC. I've done some  rodent clean-up, and the recommended procedure is wet cleaning with a 10% bleach solution. If you really want to suck it up, I think a shop vac with a HEPA filter would be preferable.

   But, to answer your question, Penn State Industries sells 50' hoses (about 4' long when compressed). I got one free with a DC I bought. It's basically the consistency of plastic dryer vent hose - very flexible, but it also tries to contract under vacuum. For hand-held vacuuming, you'd want to make some kind of nozzle / handgrip to hang onto it.

   
   

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   Edited 9/30/2004 6:24 pm ET by Kent

1. 
   woodenfish3 | Oct 01, 2004 01:29am | #2

   I need some powerful suction. I really need to have this mess cleaned. I would use my DC. I would replace the bags if necessary. I would spray bleach after nearly all the mess has been removed. Thanks.

   This is a big deal to me. I would use a two-stage set up.

   I really want to get a long 4" DC hose from the best least expensive source. Thanks

1. 
   woodenfish3 | Oct 01, 2004 01:31am | #3

   Sorry, what is the website for Penn State?

1. 
   drhamel | Oct 01, 2004 01:34am | #4

   http://www.pennstateind.comFormerly just 'Don' but not the 'Glassmaster Don' or the lower-case 'don'.

2. 
   AlanWS | Oct 01, 2004 06:59pm | #5

   I'd be careful. The reason for the bleach is to kill stuff that could make you sick. If you are using standard filter bags, you probably will put a lot of that into the air, perhaps breathing a big dose. A trashcan separator in the attic would help by avoiding passing all the crud down a 50' rough tube, which would probably knock loose a lot of dust. If the DC could be outdoors while you used it, that would help too. Spraying it with bleach, and using a mask, shovel, and HEPA filtered wet/dry vac sounds safer to me, even if it takes multiple trips to the attic.

3. 
   JohnWW | Oct 01, 2004 07:33pm | #6

   Pigeon droppings can carry some very nasty, hard to treat, and rarely seen diseases.  Your chance of catching them is greatly increased by creating airborne dust. 

   If you use a dust collector or shop vac to pick up the droppings you should have the machine out side, and nobody down wind of it, while you are working.  If the machine is indoors you'll contaminate the whole house with the finest, and most dangerous material, that gets through the filter bags.  After finishing, the bags should be washed or replaced and the nose and blower washed out or at least wiped down with a bleach solution.

   You should wear a good respirator, something rated for asbestos and the like, not just nuisance dust.

   A suggestion, this stuff is enough of a hazard that its removal may be covered under your homeowner's insurance, call your insurance company before you do anything.  To be honest, after writing all these warnings, I'm not sure this isn't a job best left to professionals.

   John W.

4. 
   billl6 | Oct 02, 2004 02:51am | #7

   Woodenfish2,

   Oneida carries 4" hosing, but it is heavy and not flesible like a vacuum hose.

   http://www.oneida-air.com/designservice.htm

   Bill
1. 
   woodenfish3 | Oct 06, 2004 12:06am | #8

   Thank you very much for your information.

   I'll for sure call my insurance company first.

   If I decide to do it myself, I'll for sure not to use the bags as filteration. I think I would remove the exhaust from the bags and get a long hose so that I can remove the stuff far away.

   I think I would spray with strong bleach first before I do any suction removal.

   I will get the proper respirator.

5. 
   donnybongo | Oct 14, 2004 10:37pm | #9

   I wouldn't use my DC to get rid of ant pigeon mess.  It has diseases and it also can damage your dust collectors motor.  Pigeon Mess is actually full of acid as well.  Ever leave Bird Doo on your car?  It will eventually rust.  Same for the motor in your DC.  If it is that bad, don't risk your health, call an expert to get rid of it.

   
   

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   Edited 10/14/2004 3:38 pm ET by donnybongo

1. 
   Treetalk | Oct 15, 2004 02:38am | #10

   Why dont u use some cheap 4" perimeter corrugated drain pipe.When ur done just use it outside for something or sell it cheap.