Squirrel Damage

[makitso]

Spent the month of August in western Wisconsin. At the end of our trip discovered the engine compartment loaded with large soft walnuts. Cleaned them out and started home only to have the AC blower switch to defrost only. Today at the Ford dealer they said a pack rat chewed some hoses and that the repair would be $1100. Its 8 hours labor to replace the part.

My question is, how do i prevent this type of damage in the future? Is there some repellent I can get?? I normally stay at camp grounds but the month was at my sons home next to a lake.

[Judge]

You got off cheap..... I have a relative and a squirrel chewed up a wiring harness in his Mercedes in very short order. The repair bill was over $5K.

People will swear by things like peppermint oil..... Irish Spring..... ultra sonic sound making machines.... etc. For every person that says it works another will tell you it didn't for them.

If you are going to be in place for anything longer than a couple days, I'm not sure there is much you can do. Short of traps, bait and trying to build a wall around the coach. Maybe having a dog or cat hanging around the outside of the coach would help. But out in the country the critter battle is hard to win.

I spent big bucks to build a very tightly sealed pole building and I still put bait boxes around it.... just in case. I've yet to have anything get into the coach.

[Scubawise]

Originally Posted by makitso

Spent the month of August in western Wisconsin. At the end of our trip discovered the engine compartment loaded with large soft walnuts. Cleaned them out and started home only to have the AC blower switch to defrost only. Today at the Ford dealer they said a pack rat chewed some hoses and that the repair would be $1100. Its 8 hours labor to replace the part.

My question is, how do i prevent this type of damage in the future? Is there some repellent I can get?? I normally stay at camp grounds but the month was at my sons home next to a lake.

We camp a lot and boondocking..in montana truckers open their front hood. Others like us have dog cages up around awing and let dogs out often..so far no issues

[HMCSW]

Originally Posted by Judge

You got off cheap..... I have a relative and a squirrel chewed up a wiring harness in his Mercedes in very short order. The repair bill was over $5K.

People will swear by things like peppermint oil..... Irish Spring..... ultra sonic sound making machines.... etc. For every person that says it works another will tell you it didn't for them.

If you are going to be in place for anything longer than a couple days, I'm not sure there is much you can do. Short of traps, bait and trying to build a wall around the coach. Maybe having a dog or cat hanging around the outside of the coach would help. But out in the country the critter battle is hard to win.

I spent big bucks to build a very tightly sealed pole building and I still put bait boxes around it.... just in case. I've yet to have anything get into the coach.

We have dogs when traveling and keep the coach in a tight insulated 14X 45 garage. Bait traps outside and sticky trays at the door. Nothing caught but not taking any chances.

[Chateau_Nomad]

The most effective deterrent I've ever found is a Winchester .22 17 shot semi-automatic with a scope. City folk frown on that though...

I agree with having the furry pups with you when traveling...

[HMCSW]

Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad

The most effective deterrent I've ever found is a Winchester .22 17 shot semi-automatic with a scope. City folk frown on that though...

I agree with having the furry pups with you when traveling...

no mercy for tree rats... pellet works great in our yard. Within city limits so no 22.

[waynetaylor55]

Originally Posted by HMCSW

no mercy for tree rats... pellet works great in our yard. Within city limits so no 22.

I put the ultrasound/light thingy under the hood of our Class C. We park it in the open. So far, so good.