Squirrels

[sunshineOH]

Help! Currently in FL campground and we are loaded with squirrels. So far, three RVers have had squirrels gain access to the back of the refrigerators by chewing thru the vents on two of the units and one gaining access thru the roof vent. All the wires were chewed.

We've also had one truck and one motorhome that have had to have new wiring harnesses. Squirrels chewed thru every wire.

So we're begging for ideas. So far, we've put mothballs in mesh bags under the hoods of trucks. Are there any other workable ideas.

[RVhauler]

Put a bar or part of soap in a cloth bag (use strong smelling soap). There is a spray that when applied to wiring will keep vermin fom chewing on wiring/etc. Check on line. Could also go to a home center/hardware store and purchase a granular product used to keep squirrels/etc away from flowers.garden.

[Beast1989]

Try a jack russell they keep squirrels way lol. Really use blood auger in mesh bag. Dead bloods scares they away.

[Lorna]

I vote for a gun and a cast iron skillet, a little flour, some salt and black pepper, cooking oil and milk. Fried squirrel is tasty with milk gravy!

[SlocanPaul]

Well this may help for any small holes to plug up. Try plugging small holes with metal scouring pads, they don't like chewing on metal. Otherwise get up very early and set some traps so others don't see.

[diandtom]

Just curious as to what campground you are in,is it Manatee Hammock?? I know they have a big squrrel population and have read about them doing damage there. Sorry no idea how to keep them out though.

[gallopn'go4r]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorna I vote for a gun and a cast iron skillet, a little flour, some salt and black pepper, cooking oil and milk. Fried squirrel is tasty with milk gravy!

over brown and wild rice

[haulinhazmat]

The bisquits, don't forget the bisquit.

[IC2]

We have an idiot neighbor that has a 3 story SQUIRREL feeder which means every furry tailed rodent (that's what they are) within miles congregates in her yard - I've counted as many as 22 at one time with more arriving. This means that all of us nearby have a problem. Unfortunately our town cannot control that feeder in their code tho the state health code might. My solution - they are Hav-A-Heart trapped and go on a one way ride to a state forest preserve - my record is 6 in a day(and yes, I do know that's illegal).

Your problem - someone or several someones are or have been feeding those rodents and somehow they need to be made to stop. You already know about the damage - but they also can become rabid, carry deer ticks which equals Lyme Disease and fleas that carry other nasties like plague and typhus which is quite possible in Florida. And they do bite if cornered. These are, in large "herds" not cute little furry woodsie creatures, but destructive pests. Twere me, either they would be controlled by the CG owners, or I would pack up and go on down the road (or never come back if you have paid for the season)

[melvonnar]

Had the same problem here; They would get on top of the motor and eat arcons leaving a mess on top of the motor. I solved my problem; I spread it around the area that I had a rat problem. I went to walmart got some rat poison and spread it around the motorhome. I now no longer have a rat problem.

[Hammer Down]

YouTube - Ray Stevens - The Mississippi Squirrel Revival

[Stogie]

Squirrels are just hairy tree going RATS with good PR.

I use mothballs under my RV and Personal vehicles to keep them away.

Also in a RV Park a blowgun is a quiet way to discourage them without noisy firearms.

Does anyone have a good curare recipe?

[Wayne M]

Just thinking out loud:

Large birds such as hawks, falcons, eagles, and owls are notorious for swooping down and carrying off squirrels. These are only some of the predators that squirrels have.

Would it be possible to find a few wooden or stuffed birds of these types and put them on a post near the RV? I have seen wooden owls perched on roof overhangs, etc., in my travels, so it must work to some degree to keep rodents away.

Just a thought.

Edited: Also, snakes, weasels, coyotes, the red foxes, and raccoons are predators of squirrels. Any chance of finding some "bottled" smells of these animals and spraying the periphery of the RV?

[Half Dimes]

We had that problem with a previous rig with the rodents getting into the rig around the landing gear. I solved the problem by installing 1/4" hardware cloth (wire mesh) around the legs. Same thing should work behind the refrigerator access panel and inside the roof vent. The hardware cloth would become another maintenance item around the refrigerator in that it would have to be kept clean to allow full air flow.