Rodent damage :( help on where?

[cobracosta]

Just had to pay to have wiring harness replaced due to "rodent damage" I have read the threads for dryer sheets, moth balls, peppermint oils. Question is the dealership didnt tell me where or what was chewed. I had a "powertrain malfunction/reduced power " error and my heater/defroster wouldnt blow hot (hoping that helps where it was). Where exactly shall I place the dryer sheets and moth balls? Was thinking of attaching with zip ties..

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[RLXXI]

Get a cat instead. Or set up bait traps all around the vehicle.... or both.

 

[cobracosta]

I have two dogs and cats dont survive where I am due to Coyotes ( dogs are in at night). I have two electronic traps that work great. in two locations outside my house and catch mice in both almost nightly... Its an acre and a half and the perfect environment for mice and rats... even with all the owls and Hawks ( and why i dont use poisons)

 

[RLXXI]

I have two dogs and cats dont survive where I am due to Coyotes ( dogs are in at night). I have two electronic traps that work great. in two locations outside my house and catch mice in both almost nightly... Its an acre and a half and the perfect environment for mice and rats... even with all the owls and Hawks ( and why i dont use poisons)

Sounds like you need to add a couple more of those traps around the truck.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I've been battling rodents in vehicles since the 1980s. None of the various chemical, lighting, noise, etc remedies are effective. Sometimes mint works, but it evaporates so quickly that it needs to be refreshed often. I've found these to be the least ineffective but they need refreshing regularly: https://www.victorpest.com/victor-scent-away-natural-rodent-repeller-packs-cm805b

Your best bet is an enclosed, rodent-resistant garage.

Don't leave food of any sort in the vehicle or near the vehicle. This includes attractive traps.

If you can't garage the vehicle, you'll want to drive it at least once a day. Park it on gravel or pavement with as much clear space around it as possible. Check for signs of infestation at least a couple times a week.

 

[cobracosta]

Thank you for your input. yes I was thinking of getting a few more electronic traps . The truck is parked next to my house on a paver pad which probably has 45 feet empty pavered space to the side and about 10 feet to the rear all open space. I park about 6 feet from the house where the charger is. There are motion detector lights around it but that doesn't seem to deter Rabbits so I doubt it would do anything for Mice and Rats.. I have a Ring camera which the rabbits, roadrunners Peacocks all set off but I've never seen a mouse or Rat on that...

 

[Yellow Buddy]

I have two dogs and cats dont survive where I am due to Coyotes ( dogs are in at night). I have two electronic traps that work great. in two locations outside my house and catch mice in both almost nightly... Its an acre and a half and the perfect environment for mice and rats... even with all the owls and Hawks ( and why i dont use poisons)

If you have Coyotes, one or two cats won’t survive. Get a pack of cats though and their reproduction cycle will guarantee you won’t need to replace them as often…

 

[solastobann]

Thank you for your input. yes I was thinking of getting a few more electronic traps . The truck is parked next to my house on a paver pad which probably has 45 feet empty pavered space to the side and about 10 feet to the rear all open space. I park about 6 feet from the house where the charger is. There are motion detector lights around it but that doesn't seem to deter Rabbits so I doubt it would do anything for Mice and Rats.. I have a Ring camera which the rabbits, roadrunners Peacocks all set off but I've never seen a mouse or Rat on that...

I had had problems with mice and rats. The country versions, but still the same. I had a new Toyota RAV4 hybrid that the insurance company (yes, covered by your insurance) sunk about $15,000 into and then, at the gentle urging of the State Insurance Department, totaled it as unrepairable. Toyota puts soy on their harnesses. Like adding cheese. My ‘23 Lightning Lariat had no heat. Come to find out that rodents had gotten in the frunk (how, I don’t know.) and chewed on some wires. $1,000 out of my pocket. I have set out a rodent bait station with poison blocks inside. They die—I found two big dead rats and some dead mice. Endless supply of replacements, it seems. Coyotes and hawks have gotten some of my cats. My Maremma Sheepdogs keep the coyotes at bay. The dogs kill the Coyotes. Maybe the rats and mice too. An endless cycle. Rodent proof garage? Good luck.

 

[Bwanapete]

Our heat went out in 10 degree weather 130 miles from home, mouse damage. I had the dealer install the $50/roll Honda capacion-infused tape and lots of the special $40/(small) healthfood store peppermint oil. 7 months without trouble. Online there are plenty of stories about all makes of cars that have had this problem. But I am allergic to horses so I keep applying more peppermint oil. My RV site recommends the Bird-X brand Transonic Pro so I bought one for the RV. On its loudest setting, it is awesome but I have not had it long enough to know whether it keeps mice away.

 

[Joneii]

I had had problems with mice and rats. The country versions, but still the same. I had a new Toyota RAV4 hybrid that the insurance company (yes, covered by your insurance) sunk about $15,000 into and then, at the gentle urging of the State Insurance Department, totaled it as unrepairable. Toyota puts soy on their harnesses. Like adding cheese. My ‘23 Lightning Lariat had no heat. Come to find out that rodents had gotten in the frunk (how, I don’t know.) and chewed on some wires. $1,000 out of my pocket. I have set out a rodent bait station with poison blocks inside. They die—I found two big dead rats and some dead mice. Endless supply of replacements, it seems. Coyotes and hawks have gotten some of my cats. My Maremma Sheepdogs keep the coyotes at bay. The dogs kill the Coyotes. Maybe the rats and mice too. An endless cycle. Rodent proof garage? Good luck.

Check the 12 V battery cover. It has a small foam pad through which mice can enter. You can place hardware cloth over the spot to prevent their entry.

 

[Scorpio3d]

Remove your frunk liner and look around!
There is not a good way to keep critters out!

 

[chl]

Just had to pay to have wiring harness replaced due to "rodent damage" I have read the threads for dryer sheets, moth balls, peppermint oils. Question is the dealership didnt tell me where or what was chewed. I had a "powertrain malfunction/reduced power " error and my heater/defroster wouldnt blow hot (hoping that helps where it was). Where exactly shall I place the dryer sheets and moth balls? Was thinking of attaching with zip ties..

I found a spray on product was pretty effective - CritterRidder - when rodents chewed up my old 2001 Ranger's fuel lines ruining my fuel pump. Seems to have kept them away after that.

I'd spray it all around the undercarriage, under the wheel wells and spare tire, inside the battery compartment at the back of the Frunk, up behind the charge port too, and anywhere you see an exposed wire bundle.

It lasts about a month, unless rain or car wash rinses it away, but I would spray it on every 3 weeks or so. You can sniff around an tell pretty much when it has faded.

They sell it at HomeDepot.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Havahar...its-Skunks-and-Other-Rodents-3145-2/206051392

But there are other spray on rodent repellents with various ingredients, peppermint oil etc. on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=spray+on...dent+repellent,lawngarden,67&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

The truck has way too many ways for rodents to get in and cause trouble!

 

[solastobann]

Our heat went out in 10 degree weather 130 miles from home, mouse damage. I had the dealer install the $50/roll Honda capacion-infused tape and lots of the special $40/(small) healthfood store peppermint oil. 7 months without trouble. Online there are plenty of stories about all makes of cars that have had this problem. But I am allergic to horses so I keep applying more peppermint oil. My RV site recommends the Bird-X brand Transonic Pro so I bought one for the RV. On its loudest setting, it is awesome but I have not had it long enough to know whether it keeps mice away.

All excellent ideas. I didn’t know about the capsaicin tape; I’ll get some. The peppermint oil is a worthwhile idea too, as is the sound machine. Many thanks. Why the automotive industry doesn’t add capsaicin to their wiring instead of soy, I don’t know.

 

[solastobann]

Check the 12 V battery cover. It has a small foam pad through which mice can enter. You can place hardware cloth over the spot to prevent their entry.

Good idea. Thanks. Amazon sells stainless steel wool and copper mesh.

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