Rodent Proof Intake Air Entrance for Trane Furnace

I have a Trane Model TUH2C100A9V4VAC Furnace that just turned 10 years old. I just paid my Trane service man $165 to remove leaves, grass and an acorn from the end of the outside air pipe where it goes into the collar on the furnace. The exhaust and air intake pipes come to the outside thru the sill on top of the foundation. There is a cover plate that sets out from the wall approximately 2 inches. The exhaust pipe extends thru the cover plate and the intake air end is terminated flush with the wall behind the cover plate. The problem is that this intake air pipe is completely open and rodents crawling up the wall can enter it. I've had a similar problem with my previous Trane furnace and I suggested that I place a piece of hardware cloth over the opening, but was warned not to do that as frost and ice could collect on it and close the entrance.

The service man called someone while he was here to inquire about a solution to this problem, but none was given. He suggested I build a cage out of hardware cloth that would set over the entire cover plate. It seems like engineers at Trane that can design their equipment would be able to come up a better design than what they have for this outside exhasut/intake termination fixture. I have several ideas in mind, but something I fashion isn't likely to be very pretty. Fortunately it's on the back side of my house. Would appreciate any ideas.

Ron.

source https://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?2223886-Rodent-Proof-Intake-Air-Entrance-for-Trane-Furnace&goto=newpost