I live next to a 1/2 mile square wooded field, and mice/rats have always been a problem in the yard and shed. However, our terrier mix loves them.Yesterday, I noticed the dog crawling under the RV. She has never done that before. I looked under the RV and saw her trying to crawl into the engine compartment. I opened the hood and looked in there. There are leaves piled in there where no leaves could possibly blow. Uh oh. I raked out all the leaves I could and, leaving the hood open, put a drop cord with a 40 watt light bulb shining back there all night.Today, I bought an 1156 socket and attached it to the end of a 3 foot long wooden dowel, so I can actually push it back into the compartment. I wired it through a 3 amp fuse to a pair of clamps so I can attach it to the battery terminals. I now have the hood open so the area is open rather than enclosed, and permanently lit. I hope that will discourage the little boogers.I have the RV permanently plugged in and have a Trik-L-Start charging the battery the lamp is hooked to. I should have no problems with killing the battery.I will post back if the dog loses interest in the underside of the RV.

The same thing happened to me some years ago. I cleaned up the stuff and what ever it was never came back. I never did do anything to discourage them.

I don't know what the winters are like where you live, but here in northern AR I would not leave the hood open because of the ice and rain storms. If you close the hood and leave the light on it will provide a warm place for the rodents and they will move right in. If you didn't have dogs, you could put out antifreeze and/or rat killer around the MH and that would help with your problem, however, dogs like these things as much as the rodents do and you will end up killing them also. I have heard that rodents do not like Irish Spring bar soap. The person who told me this shaves up several bars and puts the shavings around the tires of his stored vehicles several times a year and claims to not have a rodent problem.

An 1156 bulb will draw around 2 amps - hope your trickle start is a lot bigger than that.

no light, thats heat and they love a cozy place for the winter, get some peppermint oil, and put drops every where. close up all holes a mouse can get thru a hole the size of a dime. get two more dogs. and a steak bone for the one you have.

I have read that a bright white LED light discourages them, worth a try. Would draw less current and put out a lot less heat. :)

Rodent control attempt | Good Sam Community

Dog_Folks
Explorer
Oct 19, 2014
Bobbo wrote:
OP here, I live in Memphis, TN. The RV is under a carport so rain/snow is not an issue. The Trik-L-Start is 5 amps, and I put an 1141 bulb in the socket so it draws a little less current. I may look for an LED to replace the 1141 though.

That geographic area has only three general types of rodents:

Norway Rat
Roof Rat
House Mouse

NO pack Rats.

Lights will do no good, other than make you feel better.
Harvard
Explorer
Oct 19, 2014
I have 4 traps set in the engine compartment and I leave the hood open 1/4 way all the time. Yes, I do trap one every so often but so far no evidence of nesting activity. BTW we are on 5 acres of prime mouse habitat.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Oct 19, 2014
OP here, I live in Memphis, TN. The RV is under a carport so rain/snow is not an issue. The Trik-L-Start is 5 amps, and I put an 1141 bulb in the socket so it draws a little less current. I may look for an LED to replace the 1141 though.
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Oct 18, 2014
tvman44 wrote:
I have read that a bright white LED light discourages them, worth a try. Would draw less current and put out a lot less heat. :)

It will discourage pack rats only.

The OP does not disclose where he lives so species is hard to tell. Pack rats are mostly found in the western states.

Most other rats and mice live with man and are not bothered by lights at all.
tvman44
Explorer
Oct 18, 2014
I have read that a bright white LED light discourages them, worth a try. Would draw less current and put out a lot less heat. :)
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Oct 18, 2014
no light, thats heat and they love a cozy place for the winter, get some peppermint oil, and put drops every where. close up all holes a mouse can get thru a hole the size of a dime. get two more dogs. and a steak bone for the one you have.
ScottG
Nomad
Oct 18, 2014
An 1156 bulb will draw around 2 amps - hope your trickle start is a lot bigger than that.
Grandpere
Explorer
Oct 18, 2014
I don't know what the winters are like where you live, but here in northern AR I would not leave the hood open because of the ice and rain storms. If you close the hood and leave the light on it will provide a warm place for the rodents and they will move right in. If you didn't have dogs, you could put out antifreeze and/or rat killer around the MH and that would help with your problem, however, dogs like these things as much as the rodents do and you will end up killing them also. I have heard that rodents do not like Irish Spring bar soap. The person who told me this shaves up several bars and puts the shavings around the tires of his stored vehicles several times a year and claims to not have a rodent problem.
tenbear
Explorer
Oct 18, 2014
The same thing happened to me some years ago. I cleaned up the stuff and what ever it was never came back. I never did do anything to discourage them.

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