Squirrels Chipmunks and Mice
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
My experience, too
My SD sat as I was away on a tour with the USMC .... squirrels took up house both under the hood and along the frame/under body. Chewed up wiring, hoses, and even some relatively hard plastic materials.
If I get called up again, I'm going to have the teeenager down the street drive it for me periodically.
And, remember, you pay for that zero-deductable comprehensive insurance with higher premiums. You have to look at the long term picture.
My SD sat as I was away on a tour with the USMC .... squirrels took up house both under the hood and along the frame/under body. Chewed up wiring, hoses, and even some relatively hard plastic materials.
If I get called up again, I'm going to have the teeenager down the street drive it for me periodically.
And, remember, you pay for that zero-deductable comprehensive insurance with higher premiums. You have to look at the long term picture.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
For the relatively small amount I've paid for the "0" deductible, at $1600.00 for a harness, I think I'll now beak even about the time I die - unless, of course, I have another comp claim. Insurance company told me I won't see an premium increase from it either - it's called a non-customer fault claim.
As for trapping/killing/or whatever to the squirrels, we have hundreds running around here and it's inside city limits...no shooting. But the wife is now going to quit buying and feeding the damn things!!! I'll starve them out.
Last year a widowed neighbor had a squirrel family move in under her hood...I got the nest out and sprayed with amonina for 3 days....they never went back. So that's what I'm going to do under my truck hood too.
As for trapping/killing/or whatever to the squirrels, we have hundreds running around here and it's inside city limits...no shooting. But the wife is now going to quit buying and feeding the damn things!!! I'll starve them out.
Last year a widowed neighbor had a squirrel family move in under her hood...I got the nest out and sprayed with amonina for 3 days....they never went back. So that's what I'm going to do under my truck hood too.
Posting Legend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 32,025
Likes: 0
From: Where Critters Are Free
Originally Posted by BPofMD
For the relatively small amount I've paid for the "0" deductible, at $1600.00 for a harness, I think I'll now beak even about the time I die - unless, of course, I have another comp claim. Insurance company told me I won't see an premium increase from it either - it's called a non-customer fault claim.
As for trapping/killing/or whatever to the squirrels, we have hundreds running around here and it's inside city limits...no shooting. But the wife is now going to quit buying and feeding the damn things!!! I'll starve them out.
Last year a widowed neighbor had a squirrel family move in under her hood...I got the nest out and sprayed with amonina for 3 days....they never went back. So that's what I'm going to do under my truck hood too.
As for trapping/killing/or whatever to the squirrels, we have hundreds running around here and it's inside city limits...no shooting. But the wife is now going to quit buying and feeding the damn things!!! I'll starve them out.
Last year a widowed neighbor had a squirrel family move in under her hood...I got the nest out and sprayed with amonina for 3 days....they never went back. So that's what I'm going to do under my truck hood too.
Go ahead and shoot them up...LOL everyone else does it in the city's just look at the news everyday
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
I had the same problem last winter. They would drag their acorns into my engine compartment and have a feast. Didn't bother my wiring but sure made a mess. I fixed the problem with big rat traps. I keep a bowl of cat food next to my truck so the neighborhood cats have kept the place free and clear of critters.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 9
From: midwest
one of our vans would not start one day...took the dog house off and noticed immediately the coil wire arcing off some metal...turned out to be probably a squirrels nest on the engine that shifted the spark plug wires...i was expecting to find chewed wires but lucked out
Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 93
Likes: 3
From: Northern Connecticut
I had to evict mice from the glove compartment of my '93 several times. It wasn't driven much and sat outside, so they had time to move in.
My '08 is usually garaged in my shop where my cat lives. I got her 8 years ago after mice chewed a hole through the headliner of my '67 Mustang. I tolerate her paw prints on the vehicles because I figger she's just doing her job of protecting the Mustang, truck and tractor.
I still make it a point to drive the '08 every 3 days or so just so the critters are less likely to set up shop.
My '08 is usually garaged in my shop where my cat lives. I got her 8 years ago after mice chewed a hole through the headliner of my '67 Mustang. I tolerate her paw prints on the vehicles because I figger she's just doing her job of protecting the Mustang, truck and tractor.
I still make it a point to drive the '08 every 3 days or so just so the critters are less likely to set up shop.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 810
Likes: 34
From: Sarasota, FL
Originally Posted by KTM525
Did the Mace last for a long time? I have put bags of moth ***** in per people's advice but I like the Mace idea. On the one hand it sounds cute and funny but they can be a real pest (pun intended) AND expensive.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 120
From: Carstairs Alberta
mother in law operated a fly in fishing camp she put those dryer sheets beteween linens for winter said she never had a single mouse( maybe they were all attached) but she said it worked
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 784
Likes: 1
From: White Rock BC Canaduh
The mace idea works
Many years back I had 2 flatdecks that were attacked by Rats a few times. In the end both trucks cost me around $2000.00 in repairs on wiring and the little basturds attacked the interiors of both trucks a couple of times. I ended up spraying very little pepper spray here and there around the outside of the trucks and that did it. I never had another problem with the rats.
Originally Posted by BGMSPD
Happened here to a couple of government Expeditions. One in particular went to the shop (chewed injector wires) it was back within a day. This happened 3 times. Final cure was to spray the engine with MACE. Never came back after that.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
Got the truck back yesterday and was making up a hot sauce overnight. Went out to spray it this morning and the damn buggers got in there last night again and chewed the passenger side headlight wires in half!! All three of them!! At first I was so pissed that I called the dealer and told him that they forgot to hook up the new harness to the lights.
Then after calming down, I remember having my wife check out the headlights after I got home. So, I went out and spliced together my new $1900.00 harness, called the dealer, apologised and canceled my visit. I finally got the truck sprayed with hot pepper sauce when I got done! I sure hope that does it!
Then after calming down, I remember having my wife check out the headlights after I got home. So, I went out and spliced together my new $1900.00 harness, called the dealer, apologised and canceled my visit. I finally got the truck sprayed with hot pepper sauce when I got done! I sure hope that does it!
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
From: NW NJ
Go ahead and shoot them up...LOL everyone else does it in the city's just look at the news everyday
So, I take a .22 with those "rat blaster" loads, with the tiny bird shot ... and make short work of them when i catch one in the attic or garage.
Posting Legend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 32,025
Likes: 0
From: Where Critters Are Free
Originally Posted by ironmine
We have a no-discharge ordinance in my town, too .... but besides the damage to my stored truck, the squirrels are constantly messing with my attic and my garage. Its like they are messing with my mind! lol
So, I take a .22 with those "rat blaster" loads, with the tiny bird shot ... and make short work of them when i catch one in the attic or garage.
So, I take a .22 with those "rat blaster" loads, with the tiny bird shot ... and make short work of them when i catch one in the attic or garage.
Put a Smoke Bomb under the truck and when they come out of there blow them up...
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Originally Posted by redford
You need thisto protect your truck!
I've heard of using everything from mothballs to dryer sheets to ward them off. I don't know how well or how long these items last. They're looking for a nice warm place to nest. Unless you can offer them a better alternative then they'll keep heading for your truck.
