So much for mothballs . . . June 06, 2021, 07:36:09 pm A while back, I had placed some mothballs in the engine compartment based on some reported successes here on the forum. I drilled multiple holes in empty pill containers and filled them halfway up with mothballs. Recently, while looking under the hood, I saw mouse droppings on the plastic shielding by the radiator. A subsequent inspection this afternoon revealed an actual mouse there (I think I woke it up from a nap). He was less than a couple feet away from three containers of mothballs I had just freshened up a few days earlier. Time to play hardball so I just set some Victor traps in the engine compartment. I'm hoping the FreshCab I put in the interior and storage compartments works better.
Re: So much for mothballs . . . Reply #1 – June 06, 2021, 10:45:25 pm Greg,I don’t live in an isolated area but rather a city dweller. The rig is parked on a concrete driveway. I use two Fresh Cab’s zip tied above the engine. Camping like everyone else I have no issues with pests in the rig or engine bay.Have you tried placing lights (LED) in the engine bay? I’ve heard good results were had by their use.Kent 2 Likes
Re: So much for mothballs . . . Reply #2 – June 07, 2021, 12:57:54 am I feed a small group of feral/community cats. I’ve never had mice in Daizy or other vehicles. Last week they left 3 on the mulch for me to admire. That night the fox cleaned them up. Circle of life works for me! 😁 10 Likes
Re: So much for mothballs . . . Reply #3 – June 07, 2021, 08:07:45 am Too bad our cats are indoor only. I might try the LED lights. Does someone have a link for some?
Re: So much for mothballs . . . Reply #4 – June 07, 2021, 09:24:28 am BTW also keeps Big Foot and all his family away. Amazon.com : LiyuanQ Solar String Lights, 2 Pack 100 LED Solar Fairy Lights...glen As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: So much for mothballs . . . Reply #5 – June 07, 2021, 12:39:16 pm Greg, those California mice might need some industrial strength mothballs. Sorry that my method didn't get the job done for you.Since you mentioned finding mouse deposits on the plastic shield by the radiator, this seems like a good time to share another method of deterrence.. Several times I have had rodents enter the snorkel to the aircleaner; I think they were attracted to the scent of dead insects or perhaps the adhesive used on the actual air filter. When my rig is parked at home, I put a barrier across the aircleaner snorkel where it inserts in that plastic shield by the top of the radiator. I also put a small bag of mothballs in the snorkel. Then I put a note on the front of the instrument cluster with a reminder that the aircleaner is blocked.My expensive lesson was learned after a chewed up air filter was sucked into the intake system and the engine stopped one mile from home. We were heading out for a 3 week trip. Trip canceled, rig towed to service center and lesson learned. The service manager said they see this fairly often and suggested finding a ball to fit in the aircleaner in front of the filter. I was fortunate there was no engine damage and that it happened so close to home. I do not take rodents lightly!Steve K 2 Likes
Re: So much for mothballs . . . Reply #6 – June 07, 2021, 01:30:10 pm Good advice, Steve. Is this where you put the barrier?
Re: So much for mothballs . . . Reply #7 – June 07, 2021, 01:36:48 pm Greg, I use this plug in one which has solved our mouse visits. Plus the light strip will straiten up so you can insert it and wind it thought out the engine compartment. Karen~Liam 98 ~ MB NinAAmazon.com: CBConcept UL Listed, 16.4 Feet, 1800 Lumen, 6000K Pure White,... 1 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: So much for mothballs . . . Reply #8 – June 07, 2021, 02:38:21 pm Quote from: HiLola - June 07, 2021, 01:30:10 pm"Good advice, Steve. Is this where you put the barrier?"Yes Greg, that is where I put some screening. I actually use some old pantyhose to fit over the snorkel after putting a small bag of mothballs in there. I make the bags for the mothballs out of panyhose legs too. I think some fiberglass window screen material might be flexible enough to use as a barrier too. Good luck.As for using traps, that should help. I will not use any form of poison though. I would not want anything that might eat a poisoned rodent (owls, possums, dogs, or cats to be affected by the poison.Steve K. 2 Likes
Re: So much for mothballs . . . Reply #9 – June 07, 2021, 02:46:04 pm Steve, do you also put a ball in the round part of the snorkel?
Re: So much for mothballs . . . Reply #10 – June 07, 2021, 03:56:13 pm "...after a chewed up air filter was sucked into the intake system and the engine stopped..."That happened to me while the rig was sitting on the parking pad next to my house. Had to get a roving tech to diagnose and remedy the problem. My solution was to fabricate a barrier of ¼" hardware cloth at the outlet end of the air funnel tube. I secured it with RTV compound and haven't had an issue since. I suppose a 'Whiffle Ball' of the right dimension would work as well! 1 Likes
Re: So much for mothballs . . . Reply #11 – June 07, 2021, 05:21:39 pm Quote from: HiLola - June 07, 2021, 02:46:04 pmSteve, do you also put a ball in the round part of the snorkel?No I haven't done that. I never really found a ball that I thought was the right size. So far, screening the snorkel where it inserts into the plastic piece has done the job. If you find something that works please let me know.Steve K. 1 Likes
Re: So much for mothballs . . . Reply #12 – June 07, 2021, 06:29:46 pm Steve K., I did the stocking in the rectangular opening and found that one of those soft dryer balls is a good fit for the round part. Probably don’t need both but what the hey. A hard ball would be better. I like Lazy Bones’ idea of hardware cloth too but this should work for now. I put a note on the dash to remind me to remove everything before starting. Ordered a LED light strip so will place it once received.Thanks for all the advice! 4 Likes
Re: So much for mothballs . . . Reply #13 – June 08, 2021, 10:18:47 am Greg, check my "improvements to Villa Verde" which shows my LED installation under our coach including the engine area. I ordered the LED lights from M4 Products. <https://m4products.com>It seems to work for me for the last six years.
Re: So much for mothballs . . . Reply #14 – June 23, 2021, 07:50:18 am So I added LED rope lights to the arsenal of mouse deterrence. The rig is plugged in and the lights are plugged into the extra fridge compartment outlet, then routed to the engine bay. The hood is down but not latched so there is a few inch gap. I have a very festive flashing display for the mice to enjoy. Not sure what the neighbors make of it. 4 Likes
Re: So much for mothballs . . . Reply #15 – June 23, 2021, 11:04:22 am Greg,As I have mentioned before, we have a huge and persistent wood rat problem and they have done some damage to the Lazy Daze in the past. I've had past good luck with rope lights around the perimeter of the Lazy Daze, and then extending throughout the engine compartment. I do stuff as much of the rope light as I can down into the valley between the banks of cylinders and under the intake manifold (plenum?).Recently, the rats have been learning to defy the light and a few weeks ago I caught a rat in my intake horn. I heard some noise, pulled the intake and trapped the rat between the air filter and a towel at the open end. Said rat got to go swimming. I am also starting to get them in snap traps inside the lights under the rig, so they are adapting to the light.I've tried Fresh Cab and Irish Spring, but they eat both of them!I made three light dams from sheets of plywood ripped lengthwise and set up with shelf brackets. They are places in front and each side of the Lazy Daze cab. That cuts a lot of the light leaking out at night so that my sensitive bride sleeps well.Harold 2 Likes
Re: So much for mothballs . . . Reply #16 – June 23, 2021, 11:20:59 am Harold, it's a constant battle against rodents, isn't it? Are your rope lights a steady light or do they flash?
Re: So much for mothballs . . . Reply #17 – June 23, 2021, 02:38:55 pm I’ve never used this product but I had thought that a bright strobe light may be useful under the hood or the chassis of our rigs.https://youtu.be/i4N10gQpYOQhttps://youtu.be/bj1y5PJW-qoJust a thought.Kent 1 Likes
Re: So much for mothballs . . . Reply #18 – June 25, 2021, 06:01:21 pm We have rats that regularly take food up onto the transmission housing, most recently apricots, before that mac nuts. I set electric traps baited with the same food they're actively eating, but have only had one hit. They apparently arrive with food in claw, Sticky traps haven't been mentioned. I'm thinking of putting one on top of the transmission housing. Are they not effective? Do they render unintended side effects? Jim
Re: So much for mothballs . . . Reply #19 – June 25, 2021, 07:31:19 pm Quote from: CBSShermans - June 25, 2021, 06:01:21 pmSticky traps haven't been mentioned. I'm thinking of putting one on top of the transmission housing. Are they not effective? Do they render unintended side effects? JimThe downside of the sticky traps is the rodent is still alive and one must get personally involved in the dispatch. I will do it, but take no pleasure in it. For that reason I prefer snap traps. When I use them I usually leave them baited but unset for them to get accustomed to buffet-style dining before setting them.YMMVJoel 3 Likes
Re: So much for mothballs . . . Reply #20 – June 25, 2021, 09:22:16 pm I was at Home Depot a few years ago buying about five pounds of mothballs for rat duty. The nice young woman at the register looked at me and said "Are you aware that mothballs are carcinogenic?" I looked at her and replied "Yes I do. I want my victims to get cancer and die." She looked at me and said nothing. Just one more gray haired psychopath buying stuff at Home Depot. At least she had a good story for her mom when she got home.Harold 7 Likes
Re: So much for mothballs . . . Reply #21 – July 10, 2021, 08:56:13 pm We've tried most of the things mentioned above. The only thing we've found that works is to keep the engine hood propped wide open. Since we've been doing that we haven't had any problems with rodents.For context, we live in a very wooded, rural area. The rig is parked outside on an asphalt parking pad during the summer.
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