What works against rodents

[CoyotKid]

I apologize if this is in the wrong forum. I just got another vehicle (van) back from the shop to repair damage from some kind of rodent eating the wiring. We have tried moth balls, Irish Spring, coyote urine but nothing seems to keep the little buggers away. They haven't found the tractor yet, but we park our car/truck outside. My wife doesn't want me to put poison out since we have a herd of Corgis that are in and out of the vehicles on a daily basis, but I am at wits end. I am looking for suggestions.

 

[Jchonline]

First, find out what you are dealing with. Put a motion camera on the area.

If mice, I find peppermint oil is great. Smells nice and keeps them away. A barn cat for mice is also awesome.

 

[hugo454]

live trap

 

[CausticUrbanCoast]

Getting rid of all the bushes and trees around your shop/vehicles.

 

[Root Cause]

I had the same issue.
Peppermint spray (amazon) has worked for me 100%
over the last 6-7 years.

In my RV, I spray the wheel covers, the cords or lines that feed up to the RV and I make sure that the heat a/c vent fan is closed or in the off position. I spray around the perimeter of the garage and across the doorway just inside enough so the rain doesn't wash it away.

 

[hube2]

Amazon.com: EarthKind EMW7208598 Fresh Cab Rodent, Rats and Mice Repellent With Blend Of Plant Fiber and Botanical Extracts For Use On The Farm, Industrial Settings, Garage or RV, 2.5 Ounce x 4 Scent Pouches : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Buy EarthKind EMW7208598 Fresh Cab Rodent, Rats and Mice Repellent With Blend Of Plant Fiber and Botanical Extracts For Use On The Farm, Industrial Settings, Garage or RV, 2.5 Ounce x 4 Scent Pouches: Repellents - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

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I zip tie it under hoods of cars, tractors. I also put out poison bars for mice in my sheds but I have not seen them chewed on since I started using Fresh Cab.

 

[Torvy]

live trap

With all due respect, nope. For rodents, kill traps only. Live traps are for critters that can be relocated somewhere.

Another option would be rat snakes or king snakes.

 

[CADplans]

I have used peppermint oil for a decade,, and recently have added cloves, where the peppermint oil failed.
Cloves (two years so far) seems to be working,, I bought one pound from Amazon,,
I am ready for the winter with that much!!

 

[Midniteoyl]

I apologize if this is in the wrong forum. I just got another vehicle (van) back from the shop to repair damage from some kind of rodent eating the wiring. We have tried moth balls, Irish Spring, coyote urine but nothing seems to keep the little buggers away. They haven't found the tractor yet, but we park our car/truck outside. My wife doesn't want me to put poison out since we have a herd of Corgis that are in and out of the vehicles on a daily basis, but I am at wits end. I am looking for suggestions.

Its frustrating. The 2013 Dodge Journey had the wiring replaced 3x by the dealer, repaired 2x by me (at least half a dozen spots each time), and replaced again my the dealer I traded it in too. Fiat/Dodge, in it's infanite wisdom, decided to use soy based insulated wire that rodents just love to munch on. I found not one thing that would work other than first warranty work then insurance (which should pay for rodent damage, btw).

If you are worried the Corgis will eat the poison (and not the rodents, I hope..?) you can make a poison trap easily enough with a PVC tee, 2 ~8" lengths, 2 90*s, and another short piece with a screw on clean out. Put the clean out on the middle opening of the tee, add the lengths to the others, and glue the 90*s so they are facing opposite each other (forming a 's') so it doesn't tip easy. Place the poisoned bait in the tee, cap it, and place under your vehicle. As long as you dont have animals that will eat the rodents, like cats, you should be good.

 

[plowhog]

I am looking for suggestions.

Leave the hood up on your vehicles when they are parked.