Little wire Eating Rats

[KBEAT]

I just built a new barn to house all my toys, I mean tools. Went out last week to use the tractor and lifted the hood to check everything. There was a nest sitting on top of my gas tank with 4 little eyes looking back at me. Got the mice out and pulled the nest out only to notice the nest had small pieces of color in it. Got a flashlight out and looked at the wire harness, the insulation is almost all gone on both wires from the lines to the fuel gage.

Any one have any suggestions to keep the little rats away other than a cat ? I put out some of the rodent blocks, but am afraid of the dogs getting into them if I put out too many. Anything that I can wrap the wires with that the mice won't eat ?

 

[intel]

Moth balls maybe, they smell though

 

[jinjimbob]

Poison is never a good idea, as you said your pets and children can get to it and the rodents it kills.

Goto your animal shelter and get a couple of barn cats, they work well, plus you are giving them a home.

 

[3rd Base]

I like the cats idea since you're there to care for them. I had a similar problem with little rodents (shrews) setting up shop in a camper I used to leave outdoors. You'd be surprised at how much damage these cute little guys can do.

I've since had a garage built to store my 'toys' including the camper. Since I'm only there once every few weeks, traps would not be a good idea. I opted for the poison instead. I don't like using it, but I spent the extra $$ and bought the same type bait stations that exterminators use. The rat poison in the bait station would be somewhat difficult to remove without tools or a special key.

 

[SnowRidge]

Another vote for a couple of cats. I'm sure you're shocked.

 

[kentrodngun]

I set up a bucket trap to handle the same problem. I simply took an empty five gallon bucket, added about 4 inches of old anti-freeze, bent a wire coat hanger across the top, threaded a soda can through the coat hanger and coated the can with some peanut butter (more on the bottom for counter balance). Just add a piece of wood as a ramp for the mice and you're done.

Mice crawl up the ramp, jump to get the peanut butter, the can spins and they fall down into the anti-freeze where they die. I use water in place of the anti-freeze in the warm weather. Works like a charm. We've been logging our kills and are now in excess of 100 mice. Best personal day was nine.

Hope no bloggers are mice lovers

 

[Gittyup]

I put moth balls into ziplock bags, punched holes in the bags, and tied them up under the hood away from sources of high heat. Then a just laid a few extra moth balls around the battery tray for good measure. So far so good..... but I also have cats

 

[Gittyup]

I've also been told that pepper spray put on the wires will deter them.

 

[Sandlot]

These work great. Disposal of the little critters is the only problem. Drowning in a bucket or transport to your neighbors property. Your choice. No worries of poison or little fingers in traps.

http://store.doyourownpestcontrol.c...at_Repeating_Mouse_Trap_1_Clear_Top_T207.html

 

[3RRL]

The traps will get rid of them when they get in them.
I've posted this before when I had that problem. I kept the hood up when I was gone and the critters stopped making their nests in the manifold. It seems they like to be hidden from the exterior so they can do their handiwork in secret. They don't like exposed places.
Just try it one time to see.

BTW, check all your other vehicles too. I forgot to check my Blazer one time and started driving it. After a couple miles it burst into flames and burned to the ground. The critters had not only gnawed through the electrical insulation, but also part of the fuel lines. I posted about it in my Log Home thread. They also chewed up any gloves I would leave out!

 

[Dyer retired]

This has probably been discussed before, but I tried some of those plug-in Victor noise rigs...they make a pulsing sound that only mice or rodents seem to hear. They don't like the noise, so they avoid the area. One unit is supposed to cover a fairly large area and the one I plugged in my garage socket seems to be working. I also put some stuff around the house foundation that is not poison, but gives off a scent that the mice don't like. It is supposed to last a couple of months without reapplication. I just went out to the garage to look at what this stuff is called - "Shot Gun Repels-All."
It's in Granular form, is easy to apply, and won't harm any other animals. If I can keep them out until the snow falls, they seem to seek shelter elsewhere and I'm good until Spring. I can't seem to find where they get in and I've had good luck this year so far, but I only need one mouse scratching inside the wall to drive me nuts. Dyer, retired

 

[Gittyup]

This has probably been discussed before, but I tried some of those plug-in Victor noise rigs...they make a pulsing sound that only mice or rodents seem to hear. They don't like the noise, so they avoid the area. One unit is supposed to cover a fairly large area and the one I plugged in my garage socket seems to be working. I also put some stuff around the house foundation that is not poison, but gives off a scent that the mice don't like. It is supposed to last a couple of months without reapplication. I just went out to the garage to look at what this stuff is called - "Shot Gun Repels-All."
It's in Granular form, is easy to apply, and won't harm any other animals. If I can keep them out until the snow falls, they seem to seek shelter elsewhere and I'm good until Spring. I can't seem to find where they get in and I've had good luck this year so far, but I only need one mouse scratching inside the wall to drive me nuts. Dyer, retired

Will these work on ground hogs?

 

[mrutkaus]

I second the hood up idea, I heard it here first. It seems to work even if it is up 8" or so, they just don't like daylight.

Mike

 

[VictorW]

Those little suckers did the exact same thing to my CK30. They must love the top of the gas tank and the fuel sending unit wires. I wrapped up the wires on top of the tank with one of those perfumy dryer sheets my wife uses. For the past year, no mice. Maybe it's working or the neighbor's cat is doing its job.

 

[rd_macgregor]

There also is a product called "Skoot" that is sprayed on the bark of fruit trees to keep rodents from girdling them in the winter. It supposedly taste really bitter. It might also work on wiring.
If you can get into the habit, and your rig is stored indoors, I'd go with the hood-up approach before trying anything chemical.
BOB

 

[Dyer retired]

Will these work on ground hogs?

I'm not convinced that they work on mice yet, but so far, so good. They are advertised to work on any rodent and will not have an adverse effect on cats or dogs. John

 

[jaybrad]

Will these work on ground hogs?

It has been my experience that a .22 works well for ground hogs.



Jay

 

[Gittyup]

It has been my experience that a .22 works well for ground hogs.



Jay

Yep. Assuming you can get a clear and safe shot, which is too often not the case for me. Dagnabbit varmits!

 

[KBEAT]

Thanks for all the ideas guys . I have been leaving the hood open since the "Event", and it has worked so far. But I want to move all my other Tool/Toys out as well and want to find something to keep the zone clear. I like the idea of the sound device, never tried one of those but may give it a try.

 

[caver]

Here's another thread on subject as I had the same problem.
Mouse Damaged Wiring