pack rats eating trailer wires - suggestions wanted

[jeepcj7]

I park a couple utility trailers at the farm 20 miles from home. The area is partially wooded, no one lives on the property and there are no outbuildings. My issue is the pack rats (wood rats) play havoc with any exposed trailer wires. For those of you not familiar with pack rats they are pretty much like any other rat except with a furry tail. In particular they seem enjoy chewing off the harness that plugs to the rear of the vehicle. Since no one lives there barn cats are not an option. Was thinking of just periodically rubbing some diesel fuel or grease on the exposed harness with a rag but not sure if that will work. What have other people actually used themselves that seems to prevent rodent damage. Thanks, Pat R

 

[orezok]

Ive had the same problem here in the desert but with Norway rats. I used to put out feeders with Tom Cat but they ate it like candy, and I was always worried that the dog might get some. I found a product at HD that solved my problem. It’s called Rat X. It contains corn meal gluten which apparently rats cannot digest. They eat it and it clogs up their digestive system and they die. I bought one 1# bag this summer and I still have half of it and no rats. Good part is that it is not hazardous to domestic animals. Give it a try.

 

[the old grind]

"Pepper Tape" might work, too. pepper tape - Google Search

 

[RandyT]

Supposedly the reason the rats and mice eat the wiring is because the insulation is vegetable material base, which attracted them and may even have some nutritional value for them.

 

[Reb954]

Energize the wires. That is how my dog learned to quit chewing on my extension cords.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I put all my wirng in conduit or the tubing of a trailer if closed in. Plus sealed junction boxes. It's often hard to run flex tubing to lights and brake backing plates, never designed for electrical fittings. Too bad, such a system isn't developed.

 

[jaxs]

I don't know their pedigrees but Texas rats with long tails eat Tom Cat Chunks and meal like candy then die like flies. Why do I have different results than others seem to have? Because there are different active ingredients in different Tom Cat baits. To make it more confusing when buying bait,the logos and labels look the same eventhough active ingredients differ,SO READ THE LABEL. The ingredient I've found to be effective is Bromethalin. Here are links for 2 products at Tractor Supply but depending on which store you go to,they may or may not have it in stock but can order it or tell you which stores have it in stock.
Tomcat Bromethalin Meal Bait 5 lb. at Tractor Supply Co.
And
Tomcat With Bromethalin, 5 lb. Pail, 22045 at Tractor Supply Co.
I much prefer chunks over meal and here's why. The disgusting odor where rats and mice frequent is pee they deposit in hopes of driving away competing rats. The pee is so effective,rats will starve before eating feed and grain that's been peed on. Sadly,neither will cattle,dogs or anything else with a nose. The rat is more likely to pee on meal after feasting,whereas they will often carry remaining chunk to their stash or babies. (Almost with certainty for pack rats). As much as it might pis,, us off (no pun) it's necessary to dispose of bait and replenish with fresh on a regular basis.
BUT. You were waiting to see if the B word came into it. Unlike popular anti-coagulant baits that dry out the body with long term hemmoraging and sever dehydration before death,Bromethalin kill's by effecting the nervous system. If population is high,your place can stink and become green fly heaven for a while unless buzzards clean up for you.

 

[zing]

I keep moth balls in the boat over the winter to deter critters from nesting inside. If you just cover it and they chew through the plastic wrap, it is a nice sheltered place to raise a family. The smell of the moth balls deters them from staying.

Can you bag the harness and wire where it is exposed at the trailer tongue, and throw in a hand full of mothballs? That way if they chew their way in the bag, they will hopefully decide not to stay and chew the wires.

 

[3Ts]

You can use conduit for most of the run under your trailer. You will need a flexible sleeving to run from your trailer plug to the conduit. I've used a loom over mine for years and have had no problem with it. Try something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Expandable-Braided-Sleeving-Management-Protecto/dp/B07F3YLDM1/ref=asc_df_B07F3YLDM1/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241935719665&hvpos=1o6&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18156737540987310129&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027128&hvtargid=pla-552556523474&psc=1

 

[AZTimT]

I have a strong dislike for flies, so I set out Golden Malrin for them in places that only a fly or a rodent can reach, and it works like magic on both.
Sometimes I even accidentally spill some on some hard to reach chicken feed too since that adds a nice enticing aroma to the mix.
I don't lose any livestock that way and the rodents die wherever they go to sleep that night so the dogs/cats can't eat them either.