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happycamper1942's avatar
happycamper1942
Explorer
Jan 10, 2014

Rodent nest in truck

This is a new one for me. I took my truck in for a service today and when I went to pick it up the mechanic told me he found a rodent nest at the back of the engine against the firewall. He pulled it out, and showed me about a cubic foot of grey insulation, I guess from the firewall. No sign of any other damage to wires etc, but I guess I am short of soundproofing now!!
The truck stays outside all of the time, and we have had a few nights below zero, so the mouse or rat found a nice warm engine to cosy up to.
I have set a trap in the engine compartment, and also in my 5th wheel basement to see if I can flush them out.
Does anyone have any experience with the electronic things you plug in to keep mice etc away? Do they work?
Truck Campers
  • buta4's avatar
    buta4
    Explorer
    Jan 10, 2014
    Moth Balls!

    Skunks invaded my shed under the wooden floor. She had a litter of pups. I was told to try moth balls as the scent actually bothers their eyes and nasal passages.

    I bought about 10 boxes of mothballs and tossed them around above and below the shed floor. Two days later the skunks had left, the whole family had left, lol.

    If it affects their comfort it'll probably affect other small animals.

    Worked also on squirrels who were setting up housekeeping in my attic.

    Don't use flakes as rain will dissolve the flakes fast.
  • s1214's avatar
    s1214
    Explorer
    Jan 10, 2014
    Had one behind the air filter and another one inside the dash by the heater core. Only thing that worked was snap traps.
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Jan 10, 2014
    I would say you got lucky.
    I had a rodent (mouse, rat, squirrel, ?) get under the hood of my truck Dec '08, build a nest, and ate vacuum hoses and wires (both the insulation and the metal wire :E) to the tune of about $400.
    Did it again a year later Dec '09, Jan '10 twice, and Feb '10. Each time same damage, same costs. Except the last time dealer gave me a volume discount. :S
    Tried traps, tried fox urine, tried moth balls, no help. Finally found something called Critter Ridder at Home Depot. Sprayed it around all hoses and wiring under the hood and no more problem.
    The dealer (local Ford dealer) said they have the same problem with cars and trucks on their lot. Told him about the Critter Ridder and he was going to try that.
  • Francesca_Knowl's avatar
    Francesca_Knowl
    Explorer
    Jan 10, 2014
    Very, very common- we live in the woods, so our main nemesis is squirrels. I've had the little buggers build nests in my car's heating ducts TWICE, my husband's truck's air cleaner once, and we once had to disassemble the center console in my Mom's car to remove one they built there.

    Something I did notice, though:

    I got the nests when I was parking next to our woodpile. For no particular reason, I began to park at the front of the house instead and haven't had a nest since. Could just be a coincidence, but I've wondered if I hadn't inadvertently moved out of the squirrel's "neighborhood".
  • Johno02's avatar
    Johno02
    Explorer
    Jan 10, 2014
    My mechanic used to pull at least one nest out from under the hood of my 2000 Chevy van every time I had it serviced.

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