Rodents Nesting In Engine Compartment
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2005
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Rodents Nesting In Engine Compartment
So what do you guys do about this problem. Twice now I have gone away camping and had squirrels/rats trying to nest in the engine compartment. These little buggers do it really quick too, usually within a day or so of parking. Both times there has been minor chewing of electrical harneseses that fortunately didn't result in any issues. I caught them early enough where they had just nawed through the wrapping. I've learned over the years to check every day or so when the truck is parked for extended periods of time, (same problem with my 7.3) but there has to be some kind of deterent. A spray or something? Any ideas
Thanks.
Thanks.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2005
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Idaho
Go to your local Farm and Ranch store and buy the Cattle ear tags that have the repellent made into them and hang them with zip ties under the hood in 4 or 5 places and that will keep em out.That's what our local vet turned us on to after his 6.0 burned a turbo oil line from a birds nest that caught fire on a long hill pull.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
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What a great idea.
Do those things give off a bad smell where keeping them on the truck and truck in a garage would be a bad idea?
Do those things give off a bad smell where keeping them on the truck and truck in a garage would be a bad idea?
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Moderator
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Billings, Montana
Another thing that's been known to work is to put some of those scented fabric softener dryer sheets under your hood, they don't like the smell. I scatter these though out my shop to keep the mice out.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,376
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From: Illinois
I'm gonna try the cattle tags too like mentioned above.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Panama City, FL area
I also have found nests twice under my hood and they also had wire harness paper tags shreaded into the mix. Must be the glue on the labels that they like. Both my nests were right dead center on top of the motor. One was occupied when I found it.
Originally Posted by madsonp
Another thing that's been known to work is to put some of those scented fabric softener dryer sheets under your hood, they don't like the smell. I scatter these though out my shop to keep the mice out.
That didn't work for me... matter of fact, in one nest there was evidance that they were using the dryer sheets for a blanket. must not have had enough wire labels to keep the nest warm.
Originally Posted by madsonp
Another thing that's been known to work is to put some of those scented fabric softener dryer sheets under your hood, they don't like the smell. I scatter these though out my shop to keep the mice out.
That didn't work for me... matter of fact, in one nest there was evidance that they were using the dryer sheets for a blanket. must not have had enough wire labels to keep the nest warm.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
This thread is missing pictures.
Here's the hole the mice/rats made in my truck.
I don't have any problems killing them so I sprinkled some rat poison on some duct tape and stuck it to one of the batteries.
Here's the hole the mice/rats made in my truck.
I don't have any problems killing them so I sprinkled some rat poison on some duct tape and stuck it to one of the batteries.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,123
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From: N. Fort Worth, tx
and here I was going to suggest buying a mongouse and sticking him under the hood. it would cure the issue.
however IDK how much more damage a mongose would do.. But thats not the question the op asked... so based soley on that I found the whole mongouse theory pretty soilid.
however IDK how much more damage a mongose would do.. But thats not the question the op asked... so based soley on that I found the whole mongouse theory pretty soilid.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Connecticut
Yea I tried that in my travel trailer one year and the mice made a nest out of the fabric softner sheets... Lol
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,346
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From: Connecticut
Now I just do it the old fashion way with snap traps.Check it once a week.