Ideas to prevent rodents from eating our wiring

[duffdog]

You can just spray the engine with bear mace. works great. Don't work on the engine for a while and rub your eyes... It hurts.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

...
-Human urine. Pee in a closed container, let it "ferment", then spread the stink around the perimeter of the car. Keeps varmints away for weeks.
...

Can I just pee on the 4Runner? That way the mice know it's MINE?

 

[Bourbonator]

There you go:

Honestly, this. Plenty of cats around the places I've lived the last five years. The 4R has been garaged for ~2 months of that time. I may not be a fan of cats, but they do their part. I have more fear of rust than rodents.

 

[EddieV4runnin]

There you go:

Haha that was good. New member here checking in, im loving my Trail 4Runner.

 

[caspian45]

There you go:

LOL, cat is like, "why the F you putting me here?". Whereas my dog would be like, "cool, is there a treat in it for me?". But my dogs are pretty useless against anything but the mailman and squirrels.

 

[Counterpoint08]

OP, try regularly cleaning your engine compartment with Lemon Pledge. It's worth a try -seems to be working for my neighbor and for me as well. I wrote about it here:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...tting-into-4th-gen-passenger-compartment.html

 

[KVA]

....I find that leaving the hood open at night keeps em out ...

By far the best method. It took my dad about 10 years to finally get to that point and tried everything, EVERYTHING before that.

Open hood + covered electric traps using peanut butter nets about one dead rodent every other day.

 

[yeahitsgotahemi]

Honda has us covered!!!!

https://www.amazon.com/Honda-4019-2317-Rodent-Tape/dp/B00AJTG3N0

 

[nglayton]

The key is to give them other options that are easier than crawling up into your engine bay. This is what I use.

TOMCAT Mouse Killer

 

[SummitRunner]

Squirrels!

 

[roachis]

electrical tape

rodent-deterrent tape and electrical tape are the best option to prevent rodent eating your wire. Also you can use fogger too.

 

[flyrv9]

On a side note, I read that one of the reasons wiring falls victim to rodents is because of the newer soy based insulation used by Toyota, Honda and probably others.

 

[Spielightdude]

What my wife and I use in our newer Toyota cars

Tractor supply carries a product called Cab Fresh.
Its a bag.in a way thay has the essential oil of Balsom fir trees they hate the smell.
We keep one in the glove box and trunk.
For under the hood i spray either peppermint oil extract or theres another product frim tractor supply I think its called Grandpas pest protection but will have to look it up.
Its essentially peppermint and cinnamon essence.

Granted the cars always smell like Christmas but better that than the alternative.

 

[ElectroBoy]

I had the same issue with rats that ate some wiring in the engine compartment. The damage was minor and I put out some traps and caught two rats. Next time I'm thinking about getting one of these Rid-A-Rat strobe lights. I hear they work pretty good.


http://www.amazon.com/Packrat-Rodent-Deterrent-Device-RC-2/dp/B00D2AQYI2

Some people leave their hoods open to keep the engine bay lit. I bet a switched LED or a strobe would be a good deterrent.
LED Hideaway Strobe Lights for Emergency Vehicles | LED Outfitters

 

[JessicajK]

I tried different repellers to get rid of rodents. But I noticed that it negatively affects all my pets, not only rodents. Yes, repellers did help me to get rid of mice, rats, and other uninvited guests. Meanwhile, both my cats and my dog ran away from my house. The same thing happened to my neighbors' pets. Later, they asked me if I used any wireless repellents or something like that. Now, I try to address issues like that only to professionals. Recently, I've had ants at my place. They were coming out of nowhere and destroying my wooden furniture. Luckily guys from brightpestcontrol.com.au helped me out with my issue.

 

[dflowerz]

Just got my 911 back. In the shop since December while waiting on a wiring harness destroyed by a rat. $30,000 repair bill, luckily paid by comprehensive insurance. Engine is in the back and down low on the 911 so, besides rodent proofing my garage as much as possible, I keep a cardboard piece soaked with peppermint spray under the engine and also have a bright LED light shining on the engine at night. I have a motion detection camera too, just to catch any determined rodent in the act. Now my 4Runner is parked in the driveway so I spray the peppermint spray all over the engine. I have traps all over the garage too. I think I am OK in the garage now. The 911 wiring damage is the only damage like that I have had in 28 years at this house. No doubt related to the soy based insulation. I think the problem was compounded by having dog food stored in the garage near the 911, and there was a way for a rat to get into the garage. Now no more dog food in the garage and I sealed off the stealth rat entrance. Once a rodent damages your vehicle you get a little obsessed with trying to make sure it never happens again!