I installed a new wiring harness, first thing in the beastie. I tried to cover a bunch of it with loom, but not all. I have an electronic mouse inhibitor and several traps under the hood, and also vamoose with traps inside the car. So, the other day, I am checking, and find several of my new wires eaten thru with copper pulled out, near the firewall. I cant help but wonder if our chinese friends purposely construct the wire coat with either peanut butter or cheese in the mix. I am going to add cloth tape to try to cover more. Wondering if anyone has other thoughts on the critters. I did have a spray.....and may try another on the general area of major wiring at the firewall, inside and out. thanks for suggestions.
Mice and wiring
- Thread starter 66furys
- Start date
mopar preferred
Active Member
A lot of wire insulation now is soy based. The critters love that stuff.
They'll chomp on the loom, too.
They'll chomp on the loom, too.
They love the soy based wiring.
mopar preferred
Active Member
Call an exterminator. We had mouse problems in the house. He spread a powder in a few strategic places; no more mice for three years now. Gotta watch out of you have pets, though. In our case he was able to put it where the cat couldn't access.
Sixpactogo
Well-Known Member
The first order of business would be to mouse proof the garage. If you have mice in your car they are doing way more damage than just chewing the wires. Think pissing in the headliner and heater box. Making a nest out of your seat cushions. Poisoning your lungs with the Hantavirus. You gotta deal with them first.
Being out in farm country, I've been dealing with mice and voles for a long time. I looked into the electronic mice controllers, and I've never seen a report where they worked. I set some traps along the walls and check them every day. I've used dryer sheets in the cars and now I use a mixture that Mrs. Big John mixes up that seems to work and if nothing else, makes the cars smell nice.
IMHO, I think that putting a baited trap inside the car will draw mice, so I wouldn't do that.
Take a look at the traps with buckets partially filled with water. They are known to catch rodents by the dozens. My spring traps go at right angles to the wall and are tied off so the mouse can't drag it off if it's not dead. Also keeps a bigger animal like a rat from dragging it off, dead mouse and all. The key though is against the wall because mice run along walls. I use peanut butter for bait.
IMHO, I think that putting a baited trap inside the car will draw mice, so I wouldn't do that.
Take a look at the traps with buckets partially filled with water. They are known to catch rodents by the dozens. My spring traps go at right angles to the wall and are tied off so the mouse can't drag it off if it's not dead. Also keeps a bigger animal like a rat from dragging it off, dead mouse and all. The key though is against the wall because mice run along walls. I use peanut butter for bait.
3175375
Old Man with a Hat
We’re paying for a service. Nice, voles more so and sometimes a shrew.
tin cats (metal bait traps), sticky traps and spray (for bug reduction) are checked, reset and applied monthly, inside and out. A few still get inside the basement.
Interesting that in this day and age, the critters still get the best of us. When I was working, I had shop and garage. Now retarded, and keep the car under a carport. So, not as fortunate as some. Not as bad as another guy whose squirrels get on top of his truck gas tank and eat things. Just trolling for something I have not thought of, thanks again.
JC68vert300
Senior Member
We had a major mouse problem in my son’s garage in Ohio. an old detached structure, pre 1900 per old land surveys, so probably not originally a garage.
The traps had to be emptied daily. A few years ago we started putting out D-con mouse and rat bait pellets. At first the bait would disappear quickly, and then less mice in the traps. Now no mice in the traps and the bait lasts a long time, we usually put fresh bait out around Nov/Dec, when it gets cold. There are no pets or small children to worry about. not sure that this solution would work in an open space like a carport
The traps had to be emptied daily. A few years ago we started putting out D-con mouse and rat bait pellets. At first the bait would disappear quickly, and then less mice in the traps. Now no mice in the traps and the bait lasts a long time, we usually put fresh bait out around Nov/Dec, when it gets cold. There are no pets or small children to worry about. not sure that this solution would work in an open space like a carport
Just Carbs
Senior Member
The sticky traps work well. I get them 60 for $25. The poison bricks work well also.
I don't use them now because a stray cat felt 3 kittens at my door about a year ago, and then she disappeared. I mothered the 3 kittens and had them fixed. They go in and out of the house at will, no litter box. Very proficient hunters they are. They generally bring a few gifts every day.
No mice or snakes now. But no more rabbits, squirrels or birds either.
I don't use them now because a stray cat felt 3 kittens at my door about a year ago, and then she disappeared. I mothered the 3 kittens and had them fixed. They go in and out of the house at will, no litter box. Very proficient hunters they are. They generally bring a few gifts every day.
No mice or snakes now. But no more rabbits, squirrels or birds either.
No outdoor cats around here. The coyotes make sure of that.
On a warm summer night, you can hear them howling out my back door.
Just Carbs
Senior Member
Yea, the hunting season here for coyote runs October to end of March and you can hunt them at night. I don't know anyone that hunts them though. My brother used catch one once in a while trapping. (He caught a fisher cat a couple years ago). And you can shoot them if they are being a nuisance on your land.
When we had the chickens (mmm fresh eggs), I always figured we were going to have coyotes visit, but we never had a problem. They don't come too near the houses.
Howdy. We had a mild winter which means many critters. Where did you find sticky traps 60 for $25.00?
Just Carbs
Senior Member
Ebay. The price goes up and down. And the item # changes every time the price changes.
Item: 396332126020
Try ----Catchmaster Pro Strength Mouse & Insect Glue Boards 60pk Traps Indoor for Home
Item: 396332126020
Try ----Catchmaster Pro Strength Mouse & Insect Glue Boards 60pk Traps Indoor for Home
I have spent the day doing repairs to wires and began to wrap in cloth, may or may not help. Also ordered more spray and rodent deterrent bags. And, have ordered some metal expansion loom to cover the critical areas under the hood. Will keep an eye on the under dash stuff, and hope. Maybe a cat in a box inside the car.
BTW, on wiring, for those on board, I still have issues with the connectors. I have tried many types of connectors and crimpers, including the expensive set with replaceable jaws. The singular type that has not failed me are the NAPA crimp/solder/seal that are hard to find. So, again before install, I tested three types of connectors and plier crimps. Several just pulled apart. Finally, the only thing that is working now is a round connector for my small 22/18 size, and the crimper just flattens the connector, not pretty. Then comes the shrink tube over top. I am still not happy with this type connector. For the large wires, the plier with the dimple seems to work OK. Of course the double crimp type and special plier works well, since it crimps both the wire and the sleeve or cover, and works. But, these small wires and crimp connectors are a pain. I want to find more of the napa type that also solder and are fail safe.
3175375
Old Man with a Hat
You can get a Daniel’s brand crimper that I used on aircraft. Not cheap and you have to buy the dies as well.
Insulated Terminals - Crimp Tools - Products
RinneTraps - Flip N Slide Bucket Lid Mouse Trap
These do work. And often do work well. Better than my home made bucket traps.
At 20 bucks it is worth a try. You just have to make sure you dump the dead mice before they get to smellin.
These do work. And often do work well. Better than my home made bucket traps.
At 20 bucks it is worth a try. You just have to make sure you dump the dead mice before they get to smellin.
73Coupe
Senior Member
Step 6... I find that questionable.
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