Wow, thanks for all the information. I was told there was a mill on the property. We are on a river. Also, I hired an animal expert to check around for critters. He found a flying squirrel nest. No bat colony, which I had suspected. I want to bring my cat up, but I like my cat and I'm not convinced I don't have a groundhog, my cats a vicious killer, but I don't think he can take a bigger animal. I have a trap, should I set it? I'm sure I have a rat and mice too. I will post again, I can write a book about all the work and drama.
I also had a contractor tell me I should rip up my beautiful floor so I can fix the rotten sill. And I should pump cement onto the dirt basement. Other people can get under the house to the sill and I feel pulling up the floor should be a last resort. I have some powder post beatle damage too. On the bright side I have a new propane furnace and heat for the first time in 10 months. Thanks for listening.