mice in engine compartment

mawbs1 · 09-13-2018, 02:48 PM

Recently my engine light came on and found that mice had entered the engine compartment and chewed wires and connectors to 2 cylinders I felt lucky at only a 200.00 bill to repair but this happened this summer in only a 2-3 week period sitting in my driveway. I have never had this problem with any of my other vehicles ever. If this was during months the motorhome is in storage I would open engine compartment and put something on the block but I really don't want to open up engine compartment every time I want to drive away. I haven't had any mice during storage months in or outside before and the motorhome sits in the same spot year round. Has anyone had this happen during non-storage months and any ideas on how to prevent this during non-storage months.
Thanks

Bob Denman · 09-13-2018, 03:02 PM

Try soaking a couple of cotton balls with peppermint oil, and place them strategically under the hood.

Cason61 · 09-13-2018, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mawbs1

Recently my engine light came on and found that mice had entered the engine compartment and chewed wires and connectors to 2 cylinders I felt lucky at only a 200.00 bill to repair but this happened this summer in only a 2-3 week period sitting in my driveway. I have never had this problem with any of my other vehicles ever. If this was during months the motorhome is in storage I would open engine compartment and put something on the block but I really don't want to open up engine compartment every time I want to drive away. I haven't had any mice during storage months in or outside before and the motorhome sits in the same spot year round. Has anyone had this happen during non-storage months and any ideas on how to prevent this during non-storage months.
Thanks

One time long ago when I was driving a small, i started and warmed it up, drove away and for a couple of days heard a scratch with a burning smell. It's was kinda hard to pull over in the going to work grind to find out what the problem was and eventually the scratching stopped anyway. Ok, couple of weeks later when I was checking the brake fluid, I saw the body of a squirrel that was stuck between the truck wall and the bell housing of the transmission. Guess he got stuck there but i had to remove him then. Ugh.

Bob Denman · 09-13-2018, 03:28 PM

"Squirrel Stew on the Fly": how did it taste?

Cason61 · 09-13-2018, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

"Squirrel Stew on the Fly": how did it taste? [emoji38]

'HE' went over the fence and into the trees. Had so many of them where I used to live that sometimes I would watch them as they teased one another, the dogs or steal the bird food.

gmtech16450yz · 09-13-2018, 04:07 PM

If you park your RV at home, buy a pair of these...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1

I have a couple sets, I put them under the hoods of whatever vehicle I'm not using for awhile. If I hear the chime go off, I know there's some little visitors under the hood BEFORE they start chewing. I have them in my boat too, nice to have the peace of mind that you're not going to pull the cover off and see a rat family has moved in.

Bob Denman · 09-13-2018, 04:08 PM

We've always had "Grays" in our back yard. But we recently have had an influx of Black Squirrels. Between them, the red squirrels and the chipmunks: we're always running some sort of trap-line to cull the herd a bit.

Miramar Owner · 09-13-2018, 04:23 PM

I don't know if it would work for squirrels but it would be cheap to try... Moth balls. They work great for mice. You get 3 bags in a box. Simply open the box and place the bags under your vehicle near the engine compartment.

The Gritz Carlton · 09-13-2018, 08:56 PM

gm...gonna get em. I had a squirrel chew through hydraulic steering hoses of boat last winter. Cost me $400 in parts alone. I check often now but these will let me sleep.

Bob Denman · 09-13-2018, 09:34 PM

Get yourself one of these: it'll even keep drug-addicted burglars out!

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1536874434

mcr1010 · 09-13-2018, 09:54 PM

Irish Spring soap bars seem to work for me. I keep them in the eng. area most of the time and change them out every few months.

m1noel · 09-13-2018, 10:56 PM

My son parked his 4Runner same place at work he has for years. Eight hours later service engine and anti-lock brake lights are on. Squirrel attack. $3200 in damage. Thankful for insurance.

Cason61 · 09-13-2018, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m1noel

My son parked his 4Runner same place at work he has for years. Eight hours later service engine and anti-lock brake lights are on. Squirrel attack. $3200 in damage. Thankful for insurance.

I remember one time we put an old stove in storage in a garage. About a year later we took it out and discovered that mice had got between the outside and inside and ruined it. Seems they made tunnels through the fiberglas and for the cost of replacement, just buy a new one.

Laco · 09-13-2018, 11:59 PM

Rodents can do an incredible amount of damage to electrical systems in cars, trucks and RV's. Also in your homes, if they get in there.

Harry Joe · 09-22-2018, 06:44 PM

I had to have HaRVey towed to a truck garage as a result of engine ignition damage, replace all of my generator wires and replace air cleaner because of a nest. I now keep both air cleaner box openings plugged and have bags of moth balls in gen compartment. I also use a bucket trap with RV antifreeze & sunflower seeds inside during storage.
I’ve grown to dislike those little critters.

lwmcguire · 09-22-2018, 06:53 PM

Try herb packs or mouse out spray, other names as well

Implement dealers carry it to keep the critters out of high Dollar equipment

Lt Keefer · 09-22-2018, 07:06 PM

I have lots of mice and squirrels on the ranch. Can't live in the country without rodents I guess. I've had luck with moth balls. I place them in old socks, put a couple sock fulls in the engine compartment. I have also read that mice and squirrels don't like to nest in open engine compartments. Another thing to remember is rodents also draw snakes that feed on them.

leit · 09-22-2018, 07:10 PM

I have had a couple of friends experience this recently, and their automobile insurance covered it. Be sure to check, if you have not.

Jeff van · 09-22-2018, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mawbs1

Recently my engine light came on and found that mice had entered the engine compartment and chewed wires and connectors to 2 cylinders I felt lucky at only a 200.00 bill to repair but this happened this summer in only a 2-3 week period sitting in my driveway. I have never had this problem with any of my other vehicles ever. If this was during months the motorhome is in storage I would open engine compartment and put something on the block but I really don't want to open up engine compartment every time I want to drive away. I haven't had any mice during storage months in or outside before and the motorhome sits in the same spot year round. Has anyone had this happen during non-storage months and any ideas on how to prevent this during non-storage months.
Thanks

Well I feel your pain.
Several months ago we had kangaroo rats set up house in and around the intake manifold.
It took many hours to flush out all the debris used for nesting. A week later they were back, we had to go through the process again.
I was telling my story to man at the hardware store while picking up some traps and he told me to try PINE SOLE of course being skeptical I said what the heck why not.
I got my pump sprayer out loaded it up with pine sole and sprayed the undercarriage and all around the coach. Guess what it worked so well the neighbor used around their house and it works.

Good luck

The_Breeze · 09-22-2018, 07:19 PM

You're not supposed to get rid of them! They're the new recruits for the wheel that turns the motor. Gees...

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