Critters in the vent—yeah, that’s a real thing. I helped my uncle set up a dry loo in his hunting cabin last fall, and we thought the fan would be enough to keep stuff out. Turns out, a determined mouse will squeeze through anything if it smells something interesting. We ended up adding a bit of mesh screen over the vent pipe, just held on with a hose clamp. No issues since, but it’s wild how fast they find their way in if there’s even a tiny gap. I’d say, even if you’ve got a fan running, it’s worth putting a screen on just for peace of mind.
As for the sawdust, I think it depends on how many folks are using the loo and what kind of sawdust you’re getting. My uncle’s setup gets used by two or three people on weekends, and he swaps out the bucket every three or four days. If it’s just him, he’ll stretch it to a week, but he’s pretty generous with the sawdust layer each time. I’ve heard some people get away with less frequent changes, but I guess it comes down to how sensitive you are to smells and how much you’re willing to push it.
One thing I’ve wondered about is the type of sawdust—some folks swear by cedar because it helps with odor, but we just use whatever’s cheap from the local mill. Anyone tried different types and noticed a big difference?
Mesh over the vent is definitely the way to go. Mice are relentless—learned that the hard way myself after finding droppings in places I thought were sealed tight. As for sawdust, I’ve tried both cedar and pine. Cedar does help with odor a bit, but honestly, if you’re swapping buckets regularly, I don’t notice a huge difference. Using what’s cheap and available just makes sense. Good call on being generous with the sawdust layer; it really does help keep things fresh.
I get the appeal of cedar, but honestly, I’ve found it’s more hype than help unless you’re really sensitive to smells. Pine’s cheaper and does the job if you’re not letting things sit too long. As for mice—don’t even get me started. I once watched one squeeze through a gap I could barely see. Mesh is a must, but I’d double-check those corners every few months... they’re crafty little guys.
Mesh in the corners is a lifesaver, but I’d add—use hardware cloth, not chicken wire. Mice chew right through the thin stuff. I also put steel wool in any weird gaps before sealing with caulk. Cheap, easy, and keeps those little escape artists out.
Totally agree on hardware cloth—chicken wire is basically a mouse welcome mat. I’ve tried the steel wool trick too, but sometimes it rusts out if there’s any moisture. For me, a dab of expanding foam over the steel wool seems to hold up longer. Either way, you’re spot on about sealing every weird little gap. Those critters are relentless.