Community Forums

wingnuts · 03-14-2019, 08:05 AM

I will be boondocking at an area know for mice getting into rvs...

I plan on opening the hood and put a small light in my engine bay overnight hopefully to keep them from eating the wiring

What do you use as a deterrent..?

wkbhall · 03-14-2019, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnuts

I will be boondocking at an area know for mice getting into rvs...

I plan on opening the hood and put a small light in my engine bay overnight hopefully to keep them from eating the wiring

What do you use as a deterrent..?

Recently a pack rat took up residence in my engine compartment building a nest on the intake manifold of my truck. Realized this after finding the EGR chewed up. I installed a battery operated magnetic mount strobe under the hood, designed for the specific purpose of repelling rodents. Following the instructions, the engine was cleaned of the nest and urine trail with a product used for removing pet urine from carpet. Followed by a rodent repelling spray. Over a week later and still no sign of infestation. The strobe was purchased at Ace Hardware. They have a large assortment to choose from.
Luck!

RAM 6.7 4x4 · 03-14-2019, 09:09 AM

Been wondering why people open their hoods while boondocking, now I know. I take it the purpose of the light is to deter pesky rodents from taking up permanent residence. Will a cat that likes to prowl at night be just as effective at deterrence?

TXTiger · 03-14-2019, 09:15 AM

Last summer I was in Idaho and had an infestation of field mice in my Class A. No problem with my Jeep tow vehicle. I just used old fashioned mouse traps baited with peanut butter. Put 3 out in various locations. Caught a mouse every night for about 10 days. When I left and headed south to Arizona a few came with me. Caught 3 more when I got South. No problems at all after that.

1bigmess · 03-14-2019, 09:54 AM

I heard a long time ago that Bounce fabric softener sheets keep mice away, and I have had them in my trailer since it was new with no mouse problems.

It's either that or the dog that keeps them away? I cannot know for certain at this point.

winniman · 03-14-2019, 11:14 AM

Bounce sheets smell nice, but do not stop mice. Nor does Irish Spring soap. The only thing I have had any luck with was the Sonic mouse screamers you plug into the outlets. This only works if you have electricity. You may be able to find battery operated ones. I find heavy metal music, and lots of lights outside works. No wait, that was for getting rid of bad neighbors. lol

Waiter21 · 03-14-2019, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Will a cat that likes to prowl at night be just as effective at deterrence?

We have a couple barn cats that live on our property. I never had any problems with rodents.

twogypsies · 03-14-2019, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXTiger

Last summer I was in Idaho and had an infestation of field mice in my Class A. No problem with my Jeep tow vehicle. I just used old fashioned mouse traps baited with peanut butter. Put 3 out in various locations. Caught a mouse every night for about 10 days. When I left and headed south to Arizona a few came with me. Caught 3 more when I got South. No problems at all after that.

Had to smile at this one!

The only time we got mice was parked at a forest service campground in Stanley, Idaho. We finally had to resort to going into a hardware store in upscale Sun Valley to buy mouse traps - six of them. We put our peanut butter on them and placed them in the basement bays. The first 2 nights we heard all six snap. The snapping lessoned as the nights progressed. As you stated, no problem with our Jeep and no problem when we moved.

Our surroundings were parked at the edge of the river amidst sagebrush. The nights were cold so I guess the critters sought out warmth. In our long history of RVing this was the only time we had mice.

Persistent · 03-15-2019, 07:24 AM

This worked for a tractor parked in a horse barn at the Wisconsin Dodge County Fairgrounds.

One box of mothballs opened and placed under the hood. Remove the box when operating the engine.

The only issue you may have that I can think of, is what to do with the open box when you move on. A box will last at least a year.

The mice were there before you. It is their home. Leave them there when you leave. "Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but tracks."

ByeTheWay · 03-15-2019, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkbhall

Recently a pack rat took up residence in my engine compartment building a nest on the intake manifold of my truck. Realized this after finding the EGR chewed up. I installed a battery operated magnetic mount strobe under the hood, designed for the specific purpose of repelling rodents. Following the instructions, the engine was cleaned of the nest and urine trail with a product used for removing pet urine from carpet. Followed by a rodent repelling spray. Over a week later and still no sign of infestation. The strobe was purchased at Ace Hardware. They have a large assortment to choose from.
Luck!

I have the same product which is called Rid-A-Rat: index
We have a lot of Rats in AZ. I have caught 20+ with snap traps. I have been using Rid-A-Rat for 2 years now and have not had an issue.

wkbhall · 03-15-2019, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ByeTheWay

I have the same product which is called Rid-A-Rat: index
We have a lot of Rats in AZ. I have caught 20+ with snap traps. I have been using Rid-A-Rat for 2 years now and have not had an issue.

Thats the one I bought, magnetic, battery operated. They'll even send a reminder to change the battery

scubastevee · 03-17-2019, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXTiger

Last summer I was in Idaho and had an infestation of field mice in my Class A. No problem with my Jeep tow vehicle. I just used old fashioned mouse traps baited with peanut butter. Put 3 out in various locations. Caught a mouse every night for about 10 days. When I left and headed south to Arizona a few came with me. Caught 3 more when I got South. No problems at all after that.

This is very effective!!!