Rat chewed through wiring, Cayenne pepper or Mint?

Hi Folks,

New to the forum, I have read lots of posts regarding rodents in the engine and how to prevent it from happening again. my 2016 Tacoma is currently at the dealership being rewired, costing me $400.00.

While I have read that things like moth balls, cayenne pepper, and mint work well as a spray etc. I am just curious if I went with either spray options, do I just spray the entire engine? Is there any risk of damage spraying cayenne or mint anywhere? My vehicle engine knoweldge is very limited, I do not want to do any more damage.

I am also thinking about rat traps below the vehicle as well, it is parked outside with no garage available.

Any opinions on the best method and where to apply / not apply is greatly appreciated.

 

Traps are good but rats will eat just about anything. Pepper and peppermint are usually good deterrents for larger animals like raccoons and such because it usually takes a larger amount for anything to take effect to it anyway. There are high frequency noise makers that you can plug in and run an extension cord to that scares off critters. Or you can put a plastic owl on your roof when you park. Finally you can always rescue an outdoor cat.

EDIT:
https://www.google.com/search?q=ult....0l6j69i60l2.111j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

cats are the best rodent repellent

 

Where I would be careful is what it smell like when the engine is running. I use inhumane traps and bate.

 

Can confirm, have 2 cats inside my house, and about 10 strays in the neighborhood. Mice are no longer a issue in my area.

 

I had a boat and lawn mower chewed up by one. I have electric to boat for charger so I put one of these in it and on mower, don’t know if it work but no more problems. They make a high pitched buzz. Maybe an extension cord and one under the motor on the ground?
EDIT...DON’T do this unless you have GFI receptacles

 

Same situation with a very aware dog. The only issue I have now are cats using my mulch as a litter box. Rather clean that every now and then though than rat crap.

 

Shoulda gave the tech a roll of this while he was in there. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Ho...Proof-Electrical-Tape-4019-2317-/321316218722

 

All my neighbors have nice gardens, so the cats come through and eat all the little woodland creatures that eat their gardens. The cats poop in the gardens too, but the plants seem ok with it.

On the downside, my kids are not allowed in their sand box anymore.

 

This happened to me. Zip tie dryer sheets in your engine bay. Or place Irish springs bar soap somewhere in the engine bay.

 

Bait is deadly to predators that eat rodents. The toxic rodent will kill the predator.

 

Thanks for the comments guys, I understand cats are one of the better deterrents however I may have to find / feed a stray cat.

Rodent repel frequency unit thing seems interesting.

As far as zip typing dryer sheets, is anywhere good or do you have to have to avoid certain placements?

Thanks!

 

In theory no. The poison is selective.

 

Lace them with Strychnine and Borax...

 

http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/rodenticides.html
https://www.ratrelief.com/rat-poison/

Learned a few new things today!

 

Don’t know if you saw my edit but any outside electric should be on a GFI

 

Keep a pet Diamond back near your truck, just make sure it's not coiled under your wheels when you drive away or you'll have to get another one.
If you need help finding one, ask this guy
https://youtu.be/oxb6jZ-mMak

 

I put dryer sheets in the engine bay. One on either side of the fuse box, two under the plenum cover, one by the abs module & windshield fluid tank, one by the cabin air intake (you should also put screen over the cabin air intake).

 

I agree.

 

Don't waste your money on spring traps, soaps, poisons, dryer sheets etc.

Get one of these and some peanut butter. It's pretty well ended my mouse problem. Wish I would have found this sooner.

Walk the plank mousetrap. Its about $10-15 plus the bucket.