Rodent Repellent

[Deb_A]

I feel no guilt about killing something that is trying to destroy my home and cost me money. I'll bait and kill them in a heartbeat.

 

[bonvanroulez]

For the second time in a little over two years I recently had to pull the interior engine cover of my van and clean out a huge mass of nesting material from the top and back of the engine. Thankfully I had no wiring damage. I believe the biggest deterrent is leaving the hood propped open and I had grown lax about doing that. It only took a single day for the rodent to amass all that material.

In addition to propping the hood open, this week I'm trying a rat-size glue trap that I've taped to a long marshmallow stick and fished in from the hood area to the top of the motor. It's been 4-5 days and no takers yet, lol.

I just watched a recent video by Jamie Dimon/Enigmatic Nomadic of a van-based schoolie that had massive damage to wiring and fuel lines caused by rodent/s in a short time while at a campsite.

 

[bonvanroulez]

I meant to add that some years ago I actually had an engine fire in a class C RV, caused by tinder-like rodent nesting on top of an older heat-riser type intake manifold. I was lucky to smell the smoke and had something to extinguish actual flames before it turned into a disaster.

And finally, a rather large pack-rat took up residence in the fan shroud of my van. When I started the van to leave camp, loud "noises" from the front of the motor alerted me to something which turned into a gruesome project removing the shrouds to clean up a nasty mess.

 

[QinReno]

I tracked down every single link given, a lot of claims but not sure which ones really work. While you guys were starting this thread I was up near Bend OR on BLM boondock, and got the packrat myself. I had left the hood up, just as many have said, but it came in the night and chewed up one particular sticker on the engine - apparently liked the smell of the glue. See the barcode label to the left of where it says Vortec. Label totally obliterated, plus some wire insulation chewed on. So much for leaving the hood up.
http://www.eldelarubita.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2019-GMC-Savana-Engine-Specs-1024x768.jpg

I turned on the engine, and the headlights automatically come on on the GMC Savana, and could see the damn rat in the space beneath the raised hood. I didn't seem to care about the running engine. I shined a very bright flashlight in its eyes, and it finally left. Didn't seem in much of a hurry. I swear it looked just like Groucho Marx! I then backed the van up by about 50-yards. The next night I again parked back from the campsite, but the rat found me back there. So the next couple of days, I would spend the days at the campsite (which was absolutely gorgeous), but drive a couple of miles down the road to sleep, in an area more clear of rocks and bushes where they might nest. I won't be beaten by a damn rat (say what?). 

Home Depot has all kinds of rat traps and deterrents sprays, which people who live in rat country should try and report on. I have no qualms about killing a rat, they breed too fast for catch'n'release.

I like this solution: 

 

[John61CT]

The German electronic repeller is supposed to work well, long as you're not around so long they get used to it.

They get plagued by martens over there.

https://jalopnik.com/how-cute-ferret-like-animals-cause-germany-65-million-1788013196

 

[QinReno]

One problem with the high-frequency ultrasonic deterrents is, dogs can also hear ultrasonic frequencies to around 45-KHz, so it might disturb your traveling companion. OTOH, it might keep the dog awake at night to guard the RV.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearing_range#Dogs

 

[John61CT]

If your dog doesn't keep rodents away you got the wrong dog.

 

[wayne49]

Two methods I use:
Mothballs. Remove before driving. Keep in a glass jar when not in use.
Ultrasonic pest repellent device hooked up to the electrical system. Very low draw.