Rodent vs soy based wiring

[randymeeker]

Ok, how many have had issues with rodents chewing on wiring? 2024 Hybrid, 31k miles. Ran fine yesterday and seemed like half the cylinders were misfiring. Getting towed in but quick inspection shows chewed wires. My neighbor had the same issue with his F150. Bought some spray on Amazon that was supposed to help. Maybe I didn't use it enough.

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[Quest]

I've repaired lots of rodent damage like that
Sprays don't work all that great
The best solution is to get a squirrel trap & get rid of them at least a mile away or any other method to make sure they never return
Best $40 you'll ever spend
Now that its peed all over your truck, its a magnet for all of them to come back & do it again

 

[Wahjahbvious]

There is no easy fix for this. If there's a mouse population in the area, they will at some point try to set up shop inside your shit. Deterrents do almost nothing. Exclusion is almost impossible.

Assuming you're around to monitor them, traps are really the way to go. Those bucket ones are great, because they can catch multiple animals without needing to be reset, but do NOT leave one unattended for even a couple of days or it will turn into a little Rodent Thunderdome.

 

[randymeeker]

Wish that was an option but way too many oak trees in the neighborhood to stop the squirrels.

 

[randymeeker]

Only real solution is moving the truck inside. Mice can get in but traps for mice are easily monitored and emptied. Squirrels can't get in the garage.

 

[HeyBales]

Several prior threads on this, had posters recommending peppermint oil soaked in cotton ball inside an old pill bottle with some holes in it, zipped tied to a few areas of truck.
Made resoak easy with cap.

Now - if you go camping in bear areas where they know to check out vehicles for food - not a deterrent or recommended.

 

[Carlitos_92]

Ok, how many have had issues with rodents chewing on wiring?

Many.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/search/6668169/?q=rodent&c[title_only]=1&o=date

 

[Propane Burning Man]

Looks like a rat did that to me. I have been at war with rats for 20 years until last November. I have trapped and shot 100's, maybe over 1000. No kidding. Mostly with the old fashion spring traps and my .22 with a laser sight and flashlight. They come out at night. I have tried many things. Never could completely irradicate 100%. I tried different kinds of repellants, CO2 automatic traps that cost $200 (save your money) dryer sheets zipped tied under the hood. The squirrels here run around in the day. I have never had a problem with squirrels under the hood of my vehicles. I have 100's of ground squirrels and greys running around my property. So last November was the final straw when acorns and crap was found under the hood of my Maverick. When it wasn't going to rain, I could leave my hood up, which always worked keeping them out for that 1 night. So, I did what I was not wanting to do. Poison. I put a couple pouches under the hood of my Transit and Maverick for 2 nights. The pouches were gone each morning. I have not seen any signs of rats since. Zero! I know this is not popular, and it was a last resort for me, after holding out for 20 years. Rats are a huge problem and will cause $1000's in damage, and inconvenience you, and put you in a bad mood if not 100% irradicated. I know the feeling. Good Luck.

Amazon.com : LIPHA TECH FirstStrike Rodent Bait 10g - 4lb Bag (31113) : Patio, Lawn & Garden

 

[Mudduck]

If you have to park outside, pop the hood, leave it open. it does help mitigate the issue.

 

[KenR]

Because of rodent issues on my 2020 F150 a few years ago I started parking @ night over bright LED lights. The LED lights stopped my rodent problems.

 

[Big-Foot]

I like the Peppermint Oil solution and will try that. Another thing that I have used successfully on my tractor and old truck is flashing solar powered string lights from Harbor Freight Or Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Dazzle-Bright-Waterproof-Christmas-Decoration/dp/B09FT6QGHW

pictures are from before I started using deterents

 

[James K]

Ok, how many have had issues with rodents chewing on wiring? 2024 Hybrid, 31k miles. Ran fine yesterday and seemed like half the cylinders were misfiring. Getting towed in but quick inspection shows chewed wires. My neighbor had the same issue with his F150. Bought some spray on Amazon that was supposed to help. Maybe I didn't use it enough.

I've got a cottage in the woods and have found the best way to keep field mice out is to leave the radio on. Critters get used to those ultra sonic repellants but so far haven't found a single mouse that can handle heavy metal.

 

[Randorita]

We have a couple of cats and I haven't seen a rat in years. Occasionally, there will be a mouse that will make it into the house, but not since we rebuilt the kitchen in 2021. The few squirrels we have had went after the bird feeders, not the vehicles.

 

[jimbabwe]

I use peppermint oil + eucalyptus w/water in a spray bottle. In the past I've had mice nest in my old, old, toyota and honda civic living on top of a mountain. Now I have the Maverick and a CRV on top of the mountain and spray them under the hood (firewall; vent areas) and inside (cabing filter and sometimes in the vents). So far, so good. There are plenty of "recipies" out there. I taped my mix instructions to the side of the bottle to make it simple. So I spray maybe every 1-2 mos. The biggest issue with the older cars was rear vents in the trunk. In the toyota I started spraying the liner where the concealed vents were. Good luck.

 

[F100Lobo]

Honda and Lokata Naturals sell rodent tape for wiring harnesses.
The tape has a spicy flavor that the critters can't tolerate.

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