Critters eating my truck!

[Tractor Seabee]

Don't know about mice, probably a "Ball Bearing" mice/rat trap works best and does not poison other animals that might feed on the bodies.

We had a problem with squirells eating up all the bird seed we put out. Chewed up the plastic containers. Switched to squirell proof feeders and they moved on the greener pasture. Now only see them in the woods. Might work for you, quit feeding them to keep them around.

Side issue on squirells; they love to chew on propane hoses (the odor additive attracts them), they will gnaw all the way through, switched to copper tubing and that ended that.

Ron

 

[creekbend]

I had suspected that manufacturers have started using soybeans in wire insulation. I did a quick search and found some evidence.

"Today, there are once again cars rolling down assembly lines across America being built with parts made from agricultural products: seats, interior panels, armrests, sunshades, soy wire coatings, carpets, and structural foam. For example, the seats of the new Ford Focus and Chevy Volt are made of Michigan-grown soy material."

Stabenow Announces “Grow it Here, Make it Here” Initiative to Advance Emerging Michigan Industry in Grand Blanc Debbie Stabenow | Senator for Michigan

Whats for dinner Mr. Mouse? Insulation and hoses thats what! | pleasantonautorepair.net

Thanks for the info. I wasn't aware that it was that prevalent.

 

[Phils]

We've lived in the country for 35 years and had no problems with mice/squirrels and automotive wiring UNTIL the coyotes ate all of our outside cats.

Then the only tow service I've needed in decades was to get a truck to the shop that had wires eaten. Most of the rest I've just repaired/replaced myself.

I began leaving the hoods halfway up on vehicles I wasn't driving daily. That pretty much stopped the problem.

Doesn't cost anything either.

You just can't use this idea if you live in a subdivision ;-)

Phil

 

[Jstpssng]

Cling free dryer sheets seem to help. And a vehicle doesn't need to set long before the mice find it; twice in the last 3 years I've been driving down the road in my 'company Siverado, and seen mice crawl out of the shroud over the windshield wipers.

 

[NoTrespassing]

Got the truck back today. It cost me $450 to repair. We didn't even bother with the sensor wires on the gas tank so I still have a check engine light on.

I bought granules and liquid "Animal Stopper" at Menards, spent about 35$. I'm going to take the mothball advice too. I'll be putting out more traps tomorrow also.

Kevin

 

[cdaledave89]

I don't think anyone has mentioned it yet, but use ground cayenne pepper. Buy the biggest jar of the cheapest stuff you can find at the grocery store and sprinkle the **** out of everything! I had a problem with mice eating the wiring harnesses on my truck and after spending a few hundred bucks on two separate occasions to have it repaired I stumbled upon this suggestion. I tried it, and the chewing stopped.

 

[JB4310]

I don't think anyone has mentioned it yet, but use ground cayenne pepper. Buy the biggest jar of the cheapest stuff you can find at the grocery store and sprinkle the **** out of everything! I had a problem with mice eating the wiring harnesses on my truck and after spending a few hundred bucks on two separate occasions to have it repaired I stumbled upon this suggestion. I tried it, and the chewing stopped.

Good suggestion!

Probably had some PO-ed rodents with there mouths on fire :laughing:

JB

 

[namesray]

most mice and squirrels i've paid attention to around buildings/vehicles are creatures of habit. they seem to have routine paths/trails they use to gather nesting materials and food to and from their home. to make a long story short, if you park it outside then try moving it to different parking locations from time to time. this throws the rodents off a little bit. i've had problems with rodents and after i changed my parking spot periodically, it seemed to lessen the problem. just an idea. good luck, i can't stand mice or squirrels myself. hate them.

 

[cdaledave89]

most mice and squirrels i've paid attention to around buildings/vehicles are creatures of habit. they seem to have routine paths/trails they use to gather nesting materials and food to and from their home. to make a long story short, if you park it outside then try moving it to different parking locations from time to time. this throws the rodents off a little bit. i've had problems with rodents and after i changed my parking spot periodically, it seemed to lessen the problem. just an idea. good luck, i can't stand mice or squirrels myself. hate them.

Right. This is a good suggestion too. In my case, I didn't have much flexibility in where I parked my truck so they kept coming back to the same spot. Another idea is to keep your engine compartment and undercarriage clean and free from salt. Some poeple say that the mice and squirrels are really chewing the stuff because it has salt on it - rather than the fact that it might be made from soy products, as another poster had mentioned. Of course, it's hard to avoid the salt in the Northeast.

 

[NoTrespassing]

Got the truck back today. It cost me $450 to repair. We didn't even bother with the sensor wires on the gas tank so I still have a check engine light on.

I bought granules and liquid "Animal Stopper" at Menards, spent about 35$. I'm going to take the mothball advice too. I'll be putting out more traps tomorrow also.

Kevin

Well, they're still at it! We recently bought a used suv since we're my wife is due to have our first baby in April. Not only did i buy Animal Stopper as I mentioned before, I also bought 2 boxes of moth balls and another brand of animal repellent spray. I placed the moth balls in the engine compartment of the truck and the suv and threw the rest of them under both vehicles. I also sprayed each engine compartment and around the wheel wells of both vehicles. Yesterday when we pulled into the driveway I watched a %#$%%@ squirrel run out from under our suv! I was so P'od I started cussing a blue streak. Since then I've set 2 live traps and borrowed some leg traps from a coworker to set in the yard. I'm also going to sit on the porch this weekend with my shotgun and wait. They're out of season right now but I don't really care. They're costing me big money now!

Kevin