Varmit Proofing

[griff1957]

Been a little bit since I checked on my tractor up on the hunting lease. To make a long story short found some wiring that had been chewed up?

The barn cat ain’t working so does anyone have any recommendations? I ran across several products online at Tractor Supply but would like to get some real world advice before throwing money on some of the “snake oil”.

TIA

 

[newbury]

Snake oil is just what you need. Maybe some Eastern Ratsnakes would keep the mice away.

 

[fishheadbob]

i've heard mothballs work. And stop feeding the barn cat so he gets hungry.

 

[Roadworthy]

I had that problem with my car. A box of D-Con behind each headlight gave them something to eat besides insulation. Mice gotta eat, too. When the box ran empty they went back to the insulation.

 

[Gordon Gould]

My dozer sits in the woos. Never got wiring chewed - knock on wood - but the dash board box and the battery box were always full of mouse nest stuff. And I mean full. I used D-Con and they would carry the whole box away, over and over again. Then I switched to GranpaGus pouches. I put them in the dashbooard and battery boxes and have not had a problem since. Switch out old packs for new a couple times a year. Fall and spring.

Grandpa Gus's Mouse Pouches

Just the smell of Grandpa Gus's Mouse Pouches is enough to repel mice from any enclosed structure or vehicle! Each pouch can last a whole winter when placed in fall.

www.grandpagus.com

gg

 

[MossRoad]

I was going to suggest Weather Tech Liners, but I misread the title.

Now that I re-read it... moth balls in mesh sacks. Just be sure to remove them when operating so they don't get cooked. They give off toxic fumes.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Get a better barn cat.

 

[JRH02]

I wish you well. Personally I mix up two tbsp of one million scoffield concentrated pepper extract with 16oz of water in a spray bottle and coat everything well. Wire, harnesses, popular places for nests and the like. It works well for my equipment and pickup and the extract does not cause any corrosion or permanently stain anything. The wife says her use of spearmint or peppermint essential oil works better. Frankly, I think they both work but the pepper extract doesn't dissipate as quickly. We have had huge expenses related to rodent problems over the years not to mention you machines not working when you need them most.

P.S. if you use the pepper extract you do NOT spray if there is the least air movement and you really should wear gloves. It does NOT wash off with soap and water. GOOP abrasive hand cleaner works well though. And you WILL wear gloves when working on your equipment from that point forward.

 

[mmranch]

I take a wad of fresh dryer sheets, wrap a stiff wire around them and hook them somewhere in the engine compartment out of the way. The varmints don't seem to like the smell and stay away.

Changed the dryer sheets in my truck the other day because it had been a couple of years and the wad was covered with dirt. I smelled the old sheets when I replaced them and they still put out a strong odor. Put fresh sheets in anyway.

Hope this helps!

 

[greenie]

Kill the vermin. I place Tomcat or equivalent poison where domestic pets can't get into it. Mouse/rat poison works because mice and rats can't vomit out the poison once they realize something's not right.