Tasty Wiring

[agesilaus]

It seems that certain manufacturers are using wiring insulation that is attractive to rodents: Article

Sounds like a great science fair project for some high schooler out there, do mice prefer the new wiring vs the old.

[deltabravo]

Rodents, marmots or rabbits ate my 2009 Duramax / Silverado wiring harnesses in March or April of 2015. Cost my insurance company $4500 to replace the wiring harnesses


Then Autonation had the truck multiple times after that to repair the body damage their mechanic did to the rocker panel, and while doing that, they crashed the dually fender in to the side of the building and fixed it and never told me about the damage. I found the repaired damage, confronted them about it, they lied / denied it.

I escalated it to corporate and got them to replace the entire right side of the truck bed.

BEWARE OF AUTONATION

/rant off

I don't park my truck outside much anymore.

[wnjj]

ktmrfs wrote:

wnjj wrote:

ktmrfs wrote:
one place we camp is known for vermin chewing on wiring. Everyone leaves hoods up ALL the time, keeps them out while camping. However, from comments, how new/old what brand etc. doesn't seem to make any difference. 60's truck up through new ones, leave the hood down for a few hours and they are in chewing away.

and it isn't just wiring, they will chew away on hood pads, firewall insulation, you name it.

Sounds like Magone Lake.

BINGO!!! you must have been there!!

Ironically, I haven't, but my parents, brother and sister & families did a couple years ago and shared the story. The camp host told them and one of them already had the beginnings of a nest within minutes of arriving.

[ktmrfs]

wnjj wrote:

ktmrfs wrote:
one place we camp is known for vermin chewing on wiring. Everyone leaves hoods up ALL the time, keeps them out while camping. However, from comments, how new/old what brand etc. doesn't seem to make any difference. 60's truck up through new ones, leave the hood down for a few hours and they are in chewing away.

and it isn't just wiring, they will chew away on hood pads, firewall insulation, you name it.

Sounds like Magone Lake.

BINGO!!! you must have been there!!

[TUCQUALA]

Don't doubt that the dark can be a draw, but warm engine, sun on hood in cool/cold days is an invitation over here!! Haven't seen any chewing on "hoods up" vehicles in our travels, and many conversations with others have stated same. No other verifiable details!!!

[wnjj]

TUCQUALA wrote:
Yep, E OR & WA, hood up in the boonies!! Engine heat under closed hood draws in the kritters!! Hood up, heat from engine dissipates, rodents find it less appealing in the fall and early winter!! Very common during hunting season!! Tried and true "Old Hunters" tale!

I think it’s also the darkness & concealment under the closed hood since they will still get in there long after the engine is cool.

[TakingThe5th]

Terryallan wrote:
Shoot. the dogs i got to protect my Tt did more damage than any rodent. Those dogs cost me over 200 bucks to have the brakes, and the tanks rewired. Then i had to build a fence around the TT to protect it from them.

Many people told me a dog would solve my squirrel problem but I’m preferring the coyotes who are doing a fine job this year.

[TUCQUALA]

Yep, E OR & WA, hood up in the boonies!! Engine heat under closed hood draws in the kritters!! Hood up, heat from engine dissipates, rodents find it less appealing in the fall and early winter!! Very common during hunting season!! Tried and true "Old Hunters" tale!

[wnjj]

ktmrfs wrote:
one place we camp is known for vermin chewing on wiring. Everyone leaves hoods up ALL the time, keeps them out while camping. However, from comments, how new/old what brand etc. doesn't seem to make any difference. 60's truck up through new ones, leave the hood down for a few hours and they are in chewing away.

and it isn't just wiring, they will chew away on hood pads, firewall insulation, you name it.

Sounds like Magone Lake.

[ktmrfs]

one place we camp is known for vermin chewing on wiring. Everyone leaves hoods up ALL the time, keeps them out while camping. However, from comments, how new/old what brand etc. doesn't seem to make any difference. 60's truck up through new ones, leave the hood down for a few hours and they are in chewing away.

and it isn't just wiring, they will chew away on hood pads, firewall insulation, you name it.

[drsteve]

The bio wires might be marginally more appetizing, but rodents chew on non-food items because their teeth grow throughout their lives, and they need to wear them down.

[Ductape]

Ralph Cramden wrote:

Ralph Cramden wrote:
"Some are blaming the auto industry’s shift to wire insulation made from soy, as well as rice husks, wood, peanut oil, corn and other sugars. Critics charge that plant-based plastics give off a faint vanilla smell when warm, turning vehicles into a moveable feast for pests.

Automotive wiring used to be coated with less appetizing polymer-based plastic insulation. But over the past 20 years, manufacturers have adopted biodegradable materials to make recycling easier and to meet sustainability targets set by well-meaning government policy."


And there you have it. Don't ***** when dropping a thousand or two to rewire your car. You'll just be doing your own part to save the Earth. It's always the well meaning things imposed that backfire.

Rats chewed the wiring in my truck 25 years ago.

[Bobbo]

agesilaus wrote:
It seems that certain manufacturers are using wiring insulation that is attractive to rodents: Article

Sounds like a great science fair project for some high schooler out there, do mice prefer the new wiring vs the old.

Some wiring uses a soy based insulation. Rodents LOVE to chew on that. They think it is soybeans.

[Terryallan]

Shoot. the dogs i got to protect my Tt did more damage than any rodent. Those dogs cost me over 200 bucks to have the brakes, and the tanks rewired. Then i had to build a fence around the TT to protect it from them.

[TakingThe5th]

When squirrels got into my 5er they ate not only the wire, but also the water lines. I first thought they were chewing through to make a nest but on closer inspection I could see they were eating my water hoses like an ear of corn.