Rat/rodent repellent ???

[Time]

Anybody have any good ideas on keeping rats/rodents away from a vehicle parked outdoors?

Started my truck the other day and a bunch of dash lights came on.

Had it at the dealer today for a diagnostic test, and it is a wiring problem.
Some rodents had done a b and b in the engine compartment.
Nice warm spot and lots of wiring to chew on.

Probably 4-500.00 (+) for repairs.
(and yes, I'll be doing an insurance claim).

Seems to be a relatively common problem, dealers says 4-5 a month.
Supposedly Honda is even mixing warfarin (rat poison) into plastic that encloses wiring.
Has been a bad year for rats too. Started seeing them over summer and killed off 5 with traps.

Anyhow, short of moving, or building a garage, neither of which is going to happen, wondering if anybody had any experience in deterrence.
(traps are back out now, maybe that will solve problem.)

 

[trophywife]

i trap constantly, if you live near a water source , it is for sure worse.

i leave the traps not rigged during the week, but baited.
then on the weekend its snap time.

 

[Kildonan]

Ya, I love trapping/killing rats. Baiting traps and waiting for the snap... It's kinda like fishing.
Good times!!

 

[halimark]

Like above, traps set at all times, check frequently, this time of year rats are moving looking for safe, warm winter houses. Keeps a season going? Farms and animals next door do not help. Keep the trap line working.

HM

 

[Derby]

Had the same thing happen to my truck about 6 years ago... I have 2 traps always working around my place and a really mean orange cat....

 

[salmonlander]

I keep 2 bags of Wilsarin rat poison in the motor area, wven one on the intake manifild where they seemed to prefer. They go to it before the wires, mind you had a dead one fall and wedge itself between front rotor and rim, it was real messy to clean. But it never came back

 

[Time]

Kildonan seems to have the right approach - make it a sporting event.

Salmonlander , are you putting the poison under the hood whenever you park and removing it before driving away, or have you fifa red out a way to just leave it in place?

 

[salmonlander]

I leave it there year round. Wilsarin comes in cello packets, no mess, if they are open, your buddy has been in there. It is tidy and works well.

 

[Kildonan]

I don't like the poison, they eat it and sometimes die somewhere where you can't find them and they stink when they rot.

Traps and peanut butter is the ticket.

 

[Bear]

Try Clothes Dryer sheets. Bounce I think there called. Ask a women. My wife puts them in the travel trailer cupboards. Keeps the rodents away from the trailer.

 

[wishiniwasfishin1]

Best thing i have found is a cat. They do not put up with rats, put off a good scent, are quite territorial and wont wander if fed properly....

 

[spring time]

compost piles or bins are magnets also my wifes sante fa had rat problems now use poison in the engine compartment