Rodent damage

[First Sergeant]

The packrats were going after wiring in our cars and RV’s long before soy was used. Soy is a subsidized crop always looking for a job. It’s in our food; soy is goitrogenic (causes thyroid problems) unless treated properly.

Hey Patti, sorry, forget to tell you thanks for the information on soy causing thyroid issues! I had no clue. Now I have to go read all those labels on the stuff in the pantry! Ha!

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[Kimpossible12]

I have lived on the North Oregon Coast for 45 years and never experienced rodent damage like I have in my 23 Maverick this winter. Rodents ate two wiring harnesses. Now in the shop until March. I sprayed the engine with peppermint oil. Put Irish Spring soap bars in (rodents ate the soap too!). Now I understand soy is used in wiring cover and rodents are attracted to soy. Damage is exlstimated to be $5,000. Any suggestions on what to use to detract rodents? I’m at a loss. Love my Maverick but now am afraid! Anyone else experiencing this?

I’ve used “fresh cab rodent repellent” sachets - they seem to work well although it uses many essential oils you’ve mentioned- so your rodents may have a different palet than others. We also have installed these from amazon:

https://a.co/d/angPj0r

They work exceptionally well! Give off an ultrasound noise and flash a light every 30 seconds or so. We have packrats in southern AZ, and this seems to help.

Also, consider parking with a light under your hood. Solar light or similar. They like the dark!!!.

 

[Jonny44]

Did you know that, for over 10 years now, all manufacturers who sell antifreeze in the US are required to add a bittering agent (denatonium benzoate ) to their product to prevent animals from ingesting it?

They also use a bitterant in the soy casing. It doesn't always work. They got my wiring at the rear caliper pb motors.

 

[Tbone289]

They also use a bitterant in the soy casing. It doesn't always work. They got my wiring at the rear caliper pb motors.

I don't doubt that it doesn't always work, but I bet I could find a more effective rodent poison than anti-freeze.

 

[JMJB]

One of my three outdoor cats today .....and a nuisance ground squirrel ....

 

[riparian]

One of my three outdoor cats today .....and a nuisance ground squirrel ....

Good kitty!

 

[LADemien]

I have lived on the North Oregon Coast for 45 years and never experienced rodent damage like I have in my 23 Maverick this winter. Rodents ate two wiring harnesses. Now in the shop until March. I sprayed the engine with peppermint oil. Put Irish Spring soap bars in (rodents ate the soap too!). Now I understand soy is used in wiring cover and rodents are attracted to soy. Damage is exlstimated to be $5,000. Any suggestions on what to use to detract rodents? I’m at a loss. Love my Maverick but now am afraid! Anyone else experiencing this?

Moth balls. In and around the vehicle would work. Also a 17 cal pellet gun. I had the same issue with my 2019 edge. Fuel gauge quit working. Rodent Damage. Have been eliminating the problem for the past 5 years, one rodent at a time with no reoccurrence.

 

[PhillyGuy]

Has anyone tried one of these ultrasonic devices? Funny that they put a cat on it.

 

[Socalrob]

Had a 20k plus mile service on my mav last week. I have been hit by rats twice, killed one with an electronic trap and hosed out the engine compartment. Dealer repaired wiring to a couple of fuel injectors which they covered under warranty to my surprise. Hit again and made repairs myself. A month before my latest service I notice some minor rodent evidence and hosed it off. Have not noticed anything since, but dealer noticed some chewing on the fire wall insulation and offered a steam cleaning and spray down of the engine compartment with some sort of new anti rodent oil. Was expensive, at $200, but I had it done. Engine bay is sparkly clean and shiny from the oil, and it does have a “different” smell, which is not so bad a week later. We shall see if or how long it works for.

 

[Suzukiridr14]

No problems here and I live in a wooded rural area.

Good Boy!

 

[Grand Nat.]

All this talk has caught my attention. Had my Maverick in the garage over the winter I hope the rodents didn't violate the wiring in my Maverick. My watchful eye has retired.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

The packrats were going after wiring in our cars and RV’s long before soy was used. Soy is a subsidized crop always looking for a job. It’s in our food; soy is goitrogenic (causes thyroid problems) unless treated properly.

Eat more brazil nuts for thyroid problems.

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