Rodent prevention damage

[Coralhead]

I had to tow my 2023 Bronco to the dealership with malfunction messages and engine running rough. Many of these issues occurred simultaneously and were different systems (fuel injectors, coolant temp, etc). I suspected electrical issues. Sure enough, I am being told that a rodent chewed through a wiring harness and the estimate is staggering.....$8,000 in parts and labor (most of that is labor), sales tax not included in that!

I cannot afford to have this happen again. I suspect it is squirrels (or rats?). We have many squirrels. Not to mention chewing wires, but they leave their droppings, urine and chewed acorns on the engine and battery. I am going to try using peppermint oil and see how that works. I am curious if anyone out there has had success with this or have other ideas that work. My wife won't allow me to reduce the squirrel population.

You need a cat.
edit...Someone already made this suggestion.

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[EasternSierra]

You need a cat.
edit...Someone already made this suggestion.

We had all kinds of mouse and rat problems around and inside the house after our cat died. We'd had no idea of how much work she was doing for us until she was gone.

 

[CalvinT]

An RVer told me to put LED strips under the vehicle. I just did a quick search and found this.

At the recent Escapees Escapade in Rock Springs, Wyoming they held a seminar on boondocking. One of the very first questions was how to deal with critters when you are camping off the beaten path whether it be a National Park or Forest, Bureau of Land Management grounds or just anywhere off the highway. Both of the presenters commented that LED lighting was very effective at keeping critters out. They stated that animals and especially mice don’t like bright lights. Place some solar powered lights or LED light strips underneath portions of your RV and you work to create a rodent-free zone. They also mentioned putting lights underneath your tow vehicle to keep the rodents out of there as well.

 

[Chopper_Man]

Your insurance will cover the damage, you will have to pay your deductible, but it is a non-surchargable claim, so at least your rates won't go up.

As for deterrents. Mouse Blocker Pro works awesome. I have them in all 3 of my classic cars as well as a larger unit in the garage where they are kept. Not a single issue since I began using them.

 

[Phil B]

This. My Bronco sat for two months in the driveway while I was out of commission after surgery. That's when the raccoons started hanging out in the engine bay. Probably wouldn't have this problem if the vehicle did not sit for so long.

If you see one raccoon, you have 20.

 

[Phil B]

I live next to a creek and fight the rodents every winter. I've had wires chewed multiple times over the years, My old Toyota may never run again because of it. (They also like to set up in my attic and walls.) Brought 7 feral cats home one year, the coyotes promptly ate all but the one who set up shop in my garage. I think I trapped a bobcat in my garage with the cat, got up one morning and the garage was wrecked. Everything was on the floor. Even the garage door opener was unplugged from the ceiling. Something had clawed at the bead around one of the windows until the glass fell out and they escaped.

I have bait stations all around my vehicles and make sure they stay baited. More important, I keep the area cleaned up, leaves in particular so they have to cross open ground. This has been the best deterrent, keeping the area policed up.

 

[Gecko22]

Had the same thing happen to my ATV in Moab many years back. Camped under the stars. Mice apparently feasted on wire insulation overnight . In the morning my machine wouldn’t start and I had a light show on the display. Was over $1k to get a new wiring harness installed. After that, I always put mothballs under my rigs when parking overnight in the desert. Likely would work for you.

 

[Phil B]

Mothballs are not a good deterrent. Throwing a massive amount in the attic will not work. The rats won't leave but you will.

 

[campbebc]

I live in a rural part of VA and had a rodent chew through our fuel line and a small wiring harness. Installed these in the Bronco and our truck and haven’t had any issues since. It emits a high frequency noise and flashes an LED while the vehicle is parked and draws such a small amount of power. https://a.co/d/hD1maqm

 

[guyparker]

I had that same problem when I first got my 2021. I kept it parked in the garage, but drove it almost daily. Luckily the rats only chewed a few surfaces and didn't get into the harnesses. They did chew a hole on the windshield washer reservoir and the washer hoses. I replaced all of the parts myself.

Since then I spray peppermint spray around the inside perimeter of the garage, have three ultrasonic emitters and leave the lights on in the garage. Haven't had any problems since then. Also started parking both our Broncos outside under our porte cache.

 

[Searchdawg]

I had to tow my 2023 Bronco to the dealership with malfunction messages and engine running rough. Many of these issues occurred simultaneously and were different systems (fuel injectors, coolant temp, etc). I suspected electrical issues. Sure enough, I am being told that a rodent chewed through a wiring harness and the estimate is staggering.....$8,000 in parts and labor (most of that is labor), sales tax not included in that!

I cannot afford to have this happen again. I suspect it is squirrels (or rats?). We have many squirrels. Not to mention chewing wires, but they leave their droppings, urine and chewed acorns on the engine and battery. I am going to try using peppermint oil and see how that works. I am curious if anyone out there has had success with this or have other ideas that work. My wife won't allow me to reduce the squirrel population.

I have previously had serious squirrel and mouse to both my F150 and my Camaro. They would get my wiring under the hood and also the fuel lines at the gas tank where the fuel pump is as well as the filler neck hose.
I tried many things, including ultrasonic devices, dryer sheets, moth, balls, and many other things. Nothing seemed to work. I came across uncle Gus rodent repellent at my local tractor supply. They are similar to large teabags that have some kind of herbs in them. They’re kind of expensive and they worked so so.
Here is what I ended up doing that has worked flawlessly for me for the last three years with zero damage. I reuse the uncle Gus rodent repellent bags (over and over) and place them in small plastic containers (empty Working Hands hand cream or Tupperware style) that I drilled holes in. I .place the uncle Gus rodent repellent in the container and soaking them with peppermint oil. I placed one on each fender well and one under the vehicle near where the gas tank is. I also liberallyspray everything under the hood with a spray bottle of peppermint oil, including in front of the air intake, the insulation blanket on the hood and around the battery and all the wiring. Spray a few shots in each fender well too. I do this on the first of every month regardless of the time of year. It has saved me thousands and has worked flawlessly thus far. Give it a shot. It is cheap insurance. You can also make your own mix very cheaply. Buy a bottle of essential oil and mix 50 drops into a quart spray bottle and then fill with warm water the remaining portion. Shake it vigorously and you have yourself your own home mix. A small essential oil bottle lasts me about four months and is less than four bucks. Good luck to you.

 

[Mr Bacon Jr]

Fresh Cab has worked well for me here in northern NM. Lots of mice (everywhere), none in the vehicles. Change once a month- I take one pack, cut it in half, and zip tie on either side of the engine compartment. Bonus- smells fresh when I wlak out into the garage.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CNR241...mp=&crid=1O04YG6201DA6&sprefix=fresh+cab&th=1

 

[totaljustice]

Crosman Air Rifles..... keeping rodents out of your shit since 1923!!!!

 

[BigFootie]

Crosman Air Rifles..... keeping rodents out of your shit since 1923!!!!

I’m a better trapper than I am a hunter. But I’m even a worse swimming instructor.

 

[totaljustice]

I’m a better trapper than I am a hunter. But I’m even a worse swimming instructor.

Nice!!! That reminds me of a YouTube I saw a few years ago but the guy set-up a roller over the top with 2 ramps going up to each side of the roller. He smeared peanut butter around the centre of the roller. Mice and rats would walk up onto the roller and get dumped in drowning overnight. He got something crazy like 12 or more in one night. It's more satisfying to slip the barrel out the window like Lee Harvey Oswald and let them have it from the grassy knoll!!!!! Lol!

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