I caught the start of a #rodent nest in my #Toyota#Tacoma engine bay. They were using the insulation from the underside of the plastic engine cover and stuffing it between the intake runners and the top of the engine.
What are people using as rodent deterrents these days?
@douglasvb We started hanging Fresh Cab botanical rodent repellent sachets in the engine compartments of our cars a few years ago after some nibblers got to our firewall insulation. Seems to keep them away, though we have to change them every month or two.
@douglasvb How often do you drive your Tacoma? That's the first deterrent - driving (or running the engine) every day.
Actually, I do it at least every other day along with the peppermint spray. I also have a LED bulb that automatically turns on when dark in a trouble light fixture I keep under the engine pointing up. I suspect running the engine is more effective than the spray or light. Tried traps, but after catching a native lizard, stopped.
I had $2K damage to a chewed wiring harness a couple years ago and was suddenly glad I had comprehensive insurance. No issue since then, knock on wood.
@bosquebill when I'm gone for work, it could sit a week or two. Not much I can do about that.
I think I'll try one of those ultrasonic things with the flashing lights under the hood. Plus snap traps under the vehicle. Hopefully I don't catch anything unintended 😬
@douglasvb@bosquebill from https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/rats/pest-notes/#gsc.tab=0 “Rats are wary animals, easily frightened by unfamiliar or strange noises. However, they quickly become accustomed to repeated sounds, making the use of frightening devices—including high frequency and ultrasonic sounds—ineffective for controlling rats in homes and gardens.”
@deewani@bosquebill I've got some snap traps deployed now. I think I've got roof rats based on some video from a few months back of a pair near the fence line. I'm pretty sure those two were killed by the neighbor's traps (they got two not too long after the video).
It's possible the rats did that nest a month or two back and aren't around anymore.
It'll be interesting to see if I get anything in the traps.
@douglasvb@bosquebill So sorry you had to deal with this nuisance. Hopefully that is the case. I always try and look at UCIPM first to save money on stuff that probably won’t work for pests.
From what I've observed at our previous rental house a few blocks away, these rats usually pass through in the spring and are usually gone by summer. So hopefully I won't get any more trouble, especially with traps I'll keep set.
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