Squirrels

[Fred Cook]

I am having a big problem keeping squirrels out of my motor compartment.  They have already chewed through a bunch of wiring in our Astro Van the I had to repair.  Now they keep getting in the coach motor area.  Each day I vacuum out their acorns and nests but they keep coming back.  I have put in Irish Spring soap and some strong smelling squirrel repellent from a hardware store to no avail.  I was wondering.... squirrels supposedly prefer dark areas for nesting so.... would putting an LED light build in the motor compartment help?

[Gerald Farris]

Fred,
Rodent damage (rats, mice, and squirrels) can be the most expensive repair that you ever make on a coach or car. I have seen engine damage caused by rodents chewing through an inlet hose between the air filter and the turbo, and an engine fire from a nest on the exhaust manifold not to mention all the wiring damage. Therefore, you really need to keep them out of your coach. Unfortunately, the only foolproof method that I know of to do that is by driving it. I have never seen a rodent that could catch a coach on the interstate, but I have seen several parked beside the interstate waiting on a tow truck due to rodent damage.

Gerald     

[Mike Shumack]

I was just reading on another forum that Coach owner was having rodent problems and tried everything - then he discovered that placing a small portable radio in the compartment kept them out. He said the rodents don't like "talk radio" (but didn't seem deterred by music). I can understand that. LOL 

Maybe your light plus the radio will do the trick. Good luck

[Jerry Carr]

have no idea if this work but I checked on amazon and see a few ideas

[Joel Ashley]

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-maintenance/how-to-protect-your-car-from-rodents/

[Fred Cook]

Thanks to all. Joel.... I clicked on your link and wow! .... lots of rodent destruction stories costing lots of money. Went out to Orschlens today and bought a can of “Squirrel Spray “. 100% satisfaction guaranteed.  Hope it works!

[Joel Ashley]

My brother’s 2018 fully-loaded RAM pickup had to be expensively renovated under the hood earlier this year.  Manufacturers went to soy-based wire coatings the last few years... whoops. 

I’ve been using deterrents for the recent explosion of squirrels in our back greenway that raid our gardens and my filbert trees, but I’m afraid less palatable, permanent methods are the only effective alternative.  We go to a lot of work producing fruits, vegetables, and nuts;  there’s only so much tolerance when they leave us with nothing to show for our efforts.  They even annually clean out the neighbor’s 20+ ft grape arbor, and the filberts don’t make it past August, 2 months before they’re even ripe!

In a park they’re cute and maybe enjoyable.  In a yard or farm (or under your hood) they’re a real pest requiring realistic and definitive solutions.

Joel

[Tom Chace]

You might want to try Moth Balls

I have had luck with the little critters vacating the area by using them

Tom Chace

[Fred Cook]

Well... apparently the squirrel spray did not work.  They are coming back.  I keep checking to see if they have chewed any wiring yet and cannot find any damage.  I just put in a radio inside the motor compartment and tuned it to Rush Limbaugh.... maybe they will get out and vote tomorrow! LOL