mice or rats use hood of tractor for latrine

[mudking]

...i would like to move tractor to another shed but dont want to take mice with the tractor.

May be a little late in the year now, but if it was my rodent-infested tractor, I'd move it into baking-hot sun in the middle of a field for a few days to get critters in the mood to move out.

 

[Mat4644]

Maybe open hood works somewhat but they still like under dash area if available. Looks like all the class action lawsuits on the soy based compounds in wiring coverings have been dismissed. Studies showed rodents like sharpening teeth on wires and didn't care what the coverings were made of.

Also do not use steel wool. It collects moisture and rusts. Use stainless or copper mesh in holes. Stainless kitchen scrubbies work great.

This summer visited someone who spent a lot of money on aluminum deck railing. Neighborhood squirrels were going crazy chewing on it and sharpening teeth.

 

[lman]

Fortunately my pole barn built about 10 years ago is mouse-proof. No mouse has been in it since built. The fact that there are about 15 barn cats in my nearby horse barn have eliminated any mice in the area also.

 

[dieselade]

I would like to add that cats are not an option right now since i was blessed with a cat killing dog couple years ago. they spend their time in the old barn upstairs in fear.

 

[rob in ore]

I leave the hood open when parked overnight. Also, use a strong scented cleaner like PineSol or Simple Green and spray into the areas where they can nest. I had a nest growing above the starter. After removing the nest and spraying several months ago they haven't rebuilt. I'd prefer using a barn cat but the coyotes get the cats. The bucket trap works great but I only use it in the enclosed garage.

 

[oosik]

For sure - coyotes. But here, I think it was the cats that went too far out into the bush at night. Ran into either a barn owl or great horned owl. Fortunately - my new cat and my Cocker Spaniel are best of friends. Now I need to find a female and build my little cat family back up.