Preventing rodents from getting under the hood

What have y’all done to prevent or minimize this? A squirrel already chewed up my harness which I posted earlier. Thanks. Cant park in the garage, wife already claims that spot, lol.

 

Hmmmm, the Tacoma or the wife, the choice seems pretty clear....

 

Dryer sheets zip tied around the engine bay, being mindful to keep them away from heat sources. Moth balls hanging around engine bay. They sell dedicated engine bay pest deterrents on Amazon

 

$20 Mighty Mint 16oz Peppermint Oil Rodent Repellent Spray

https://www.amazon.com/Mighty-Mint-Peppermint-Rodent-Repellent/dp/B07HYP6D5C
I've used this. Seems to work. Wears off in a few months. Also rinses off with water if you want to clean it off.

 

Predator urine. Go to a hunting store, ie Cabella, Bass Pro.......

Spritz it around the lower suspension and underside of the truck.

REMOVE all food from the cab, even crumbs, empty cups........trash. This stuff will draw rodents into the cab.

 

I have done a lot of research into this particular topic. There seem to be two reasonably good solutions to this problem that don't require resorting to drastic measures (hijacking the garage, getting a bunch of outdoor cats, NODs and a pellet gun, etc.)

1. Tomcat aerosol rodent repellent:

$12 Tomcat Rodent Repellent for Indoor and Outdoor Mouse and Rat Prevention, Continuous Spray, 14 oz.

https://www.amazon.com/Tomcat-Repellents-Rodent-Repellent-Continuous/dp/B012RGQVM0
I spray this stuff anywhere that a critter could make their way into my engine bay. That includes inside the wheel wells and potential nesting sites inside the engine bay itself. Reported to be more effective than moth balls, dryer sheets, and predator urine. Reapply monthly.

2. Honda capsaicin-infused electrical tape, P/N 4019-2317: https://www.hondapartsnow.com/genuine/honda~tape~rodent~19mm~20m~4019-2317.html
Whenever an opportunity presents itself, I plan on wrapping any soy-insulated wiring with this stuff to give any curious critters a mouth full of pepper spray when they take a bite. Some of the wires aren't exactly accessible during regular maintenance, so I haven't installed any yet.

 

The problem is electrical wire insulation is made with soy and the rodents know it

https://www.cheknews.ca/another-bad-season-for-rat-damage-to-vehicles-736836/

 

I had this problem and resorted to Tomcat

Put cable ties through the hole and tie them to hoses etc and check and remove each morning before you drive the vehicle

Once they start eating it you keep replacing it.

Sometimes you'll find bloody footprints on your engine, they keep eating till the end




https://www.motomco.com/motomco/product/us/pest-control/tomcat-bromethalin-bait-chunx

 

Right, I understand that. If you wrap your wires with what amounts to pepper spray-infused electrical tape, they won't chew on your wires any more.

 

You could try sprinkling cayenne pepper in the engine V.

 

Honda Rodent tape



It doesn't always work

 

That's interesting. Was the chewed-up spot wrapped as well? It almost looks like that spot was left unwrapped on purpose. If it wasn't wrapped, that certainly explains the issue.

I'm not asserting that Honda's fancy tape works 100% of the time. I don't think there is a no-fail solution for this particular problem.

 

Moth balls work but in the summer the smell in the cab is unbearable. Dryer sheets work too , but have to be renewed frequently. Now I use these with excellent results:

$42 Angveirt Rodent Repellent for Car Engine Ultrasonic Mouse Deterrent for Car Keep Mice Out of Car Under Hood Rodent Repeller Vehicle Wires RV Protection Pest Control for 12V 24V Car Battery, 2 Pack

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MZMDY77/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They use both light and sound, are easily switched off, and have a low voltage cutoff to save your battery if you forget and leave them on too long. I always look at the dust on the engine for tracks because they are easily visible. These devices have worked even in rat infested areas. I have two under the hood and one back by the gas tank.

 

Had a squirrel get under the hood of my truck. I started up the truck and pulled out of the driveway only to see a headless squirrel laying in the driveway.
Problem solved except I had to find the head by the fan. Yuk!

 

I've used moth balls placed in brown paper bags with little holes or windows cut in them to allow some of the smell out. Then use a metal clip to keep the bag closed along with a wire to hang. I usually put several in the engine bay. However, if I have the problem again I be using peppermint oil.

I was watching MotorTrend TV one Saturday and they talked about peppermint oil. They diluted the oil with water in a spray bottle and sprayed it in the engine bay and wheel wells. The spray has to smell better than moth balls.

Using poison baits could leave a gift that keeps on giving if the rodent dies in some out of the way cubby hole in the engine bay or frame rail. And use with care if you have a dog, they'll scarf those bait blocks down in a flash.

 

I read where hairspray and a quick dusting of cayenne pepper does the trick.
I guess the hair spray holds the pepper that act as a repellent for the chewers.

 

I have used that rat poison and it does what it says it does, that and snap traps worked for me.

 

Those are all great points as those chucks smell like very sweet candy, so anything that likes sweets are in danger.

 

Go to the local Zoo and ask them if you can get some Lion piss. And then spray it under the hood of your truck