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Rats and wires
I don't know when "green" materials, e.g., soy, began to be used as automotive wiring coatings, but apparently, "rat chew" damage is becoming increasingly common. I thought that rats had been gnawing on vehicle wires for eons, no matter what they were wrapped/coated with, but reports seem to indicate that the problem is becoming more widespread. Can't say; just offering a heads up to check the engine (and other) wiring for rodent activity!




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Re: Rats and wires
Reply #1
My previous post regarding rodent wars earlier this year yielded excellent recommendations from other owners on how to discourage the little varmints.  I followed a number of recommendations and haven't had any problems since.

1. nylon panty hose loaded with 1/4 lb. of moth balls set in the engine compartment.  I use 4 panty hose bags with a total of 1lb of mothballs in the engine compartment when the rig is stored in the barn.  I understand that para-dichlorobenzene is carcinogenic.  I don't mind giving cancer to the rodents.  Stay out of my motorhome. I do have to reload the pantyhose every month or so, due to sublimation.

2.  Rope lights under the hood are a good preventative at night.  I also set rope lights with a photocell switch along the lower walls of the barn and along the shelves.

3. I bought 16 bars of Irish Spring soap bars for $0.25ea at Walmart on Sale.  I set a bar on each lower shelf corner in the barn and other than the dogs taking them out and chewing on them ( I had my mouth washed out with soap a few times as a kid and can't understand why a dog would think this was fun. Go figure? ) they seem to work. 

No rat poop in the rig or on the shelves or the barn floor since these measures were put in.

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