Should I worry about rat/mouse damage?

[couleedude]

We have a pretty serious rat/mouse problem. Mainly the pack rats, they do LOTS of damage and are impossible to remove once they find a "home" (with the only solution being DEATH!).

Over the years, I have never had to deal with any issues with rodents getting into tractor wiring. Lots of cars and travel trailers, even homes with infestation, but never had to repair any wires on any of the tractors we have had.

So, just to keep one step ahead, should I worry about them getting into my tractor or are the wires protected enough to prevent rat infestation? Or, do they just not get into the engine because of no real protection from the weather?

IF there is anything I can do ahead of time to prevent costly and time-wasting repairs, I would like to do that now. In the meantime, we have a really strong rat poison that is keeping them under control for the most part, but they still get into my mother's engine bay from time to time to nest and eat the wires. I don't want to have this issue with my tractor, if I can help it.

 

[jyoutz]

We have a pretty serious rat/mouse problem. Mainly the pack rats, they do LOTS of damage and are impossible to remove once they find a "home" (with the only solution being DEATH!).

Over the years, I have never had to deal with any issues with rodents getting into tractor wiring. Lots of cars and travel trailers, even homes with infestation, but never had to repair any wires on any of the tractors we have had.

So, just to keep one step ahead, should I worry about them getting into my tractor or are the wires protected enough to prevent rat infestation? Or, do they just not get into the engine because of no real protection from the weather?

IF there is anything I can do ahead of time to prevent costly and time-wasting repairs, I would like to do that now. In the meantime, we have a really strong rat poison that is keeping them under control for the most part, but they still get into my mother's engine bay from time to time to nest and eat the wires. I don't want to have this issue with my tractor, if I can help it.

Rats and mice are a problem with everything. I just keep trapping them.

 

[dirtydeed]

I's suggest trying peppermint oil. It's worked well for me thus far for mice (I don't have rats).

You can spray down the wiring with it. I also use it by putting a few drops into medicine bottles with cotton balls in them. You just need to drill a few holes in the medicine bottle first to let the scent out.

I have these inside my cabbed mini-ex as well as my dump truck. I also have one hanging in the engine bay of the mini.


I've also heard that people keep a radio playing in their shop to keep them away. Never tried my self but maybe its worth a shot?

 

[GreensvilleJay]

was told to put bait OUTSIDE what you want to protect (car, barn, etc.)
you don't need to 'invite' them in.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

There's another recent thread on this. Being in the woods I have different types of mice, voles, (...chipmunks, hornets, etc.). The short of it is the more varied methods you use the more effect you'll have on them because they're not all the same... using only one awesome method creates room for anything immune to that one method.

 

[Grimor]

the bucket topper traps that dump them into water tend to be very effective for mice. For rats, I recommend bulls eyeing them with a T-16

 

[jyoutz]

the bucket topper traps that dump them into water tend to be very effective for mice. For rats, I recommend bulls eyeing them with a T-16

I’ve caught several rats in live traps with peanut butter crackers.

 

[couleedude]

I have my own homemade version of FreshCab that works well inside RVs.

So if they are going to be a danger to the tractor, i will keep up with my current poison. It works well until i forget to refill the boxes for a couple weeks. As long as I keep them filled the rats, stay away.

 

[Henro]

Not sure how effective it is, but I read somewhere that leaving the engine cover open is beneficial. I do that...no problems so far...famous last words?

 

[Blondie70]

Rat poison and keep the hood open all the time when parked inside.

 

[lmichael]

I use that Fresh Cab stuff. So far knock wood. OK

 

[jimh406]

Worry about it. I don't use poisons, but there are alternatives that work. Take a look at. He has tests on everything and all traps.

Shawn Woods

Hi My name is Shawn Woods. I hope you like my videos.

www.youtube.com

 

[jyoutz]

I caught 43 mice last summer on the outside patios with these baited with peanut butter.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07Q3M6QYK?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[lugbolt]

well since the stray cat left (actually got run over) I've had a few mice coming around. And apparently, based on camera, a flying squirrel hanging around in the shop. I think. Hard to tell what it is but I'll take care of the critters the next time the race car comes out of dormancy. Methanol fumes will kill everything.

But tonight I noticed that we now have 2 more barn cats. One must be someone's cat because he keeps rubbing all over my legs and feets. I gave them a little bit of food to keep them around but I won't feed them all the time. They need to hunt. These two just showed up yesterday, or one of them did, and the friendly one showed up tonight. The feral one looks to be a bengal, very vibrant stripes, bigger, etc. Almost want to try to catch it and bring it inside but I know better. I have a big orange cat in the house that's good company but he's also a total jerk. I'd imagine he'd try to kill any other cat that came in. He tries to kill me if I don't feed it, or open the window, or let him go out in the garage to "inspect" the boat.

when the old gray cat (that got ran over) was hanging around there were zero signs of rodents. Even the rabbits were gone. No squirrels either. Now that it's gone, I've seen signs of the rodents showing back up, and one of those signs is the wiring harness on the top of my Mustang's engine is chewed. I also found some insulation (pink) on top of the engine as well but haven't found where they got that from. Last weekend I scrubbed the garage floor with some Polaris degreaser and let it air dry with some of the degreaser still on it. It doesn't smell bad to us, but maybe it's enough to keep the rats away. And now with the cats hanging around, HOPEFULLY between the two cats and the smell, the mice and rats won't return. And i'll take care of the critters in the shop with a couple gallons of methanol in the car, let it run til it dies and hurry up & shut the doors. NOTHING will survive that stuff. I did it a couple years ago to get rid of the dirt dobbers and wasps, and it worked. There were more dead wasps on the floor the days after than I've ever seen.

 

[BBFarmer]

Cats and keeping stuff moved around has kept me clear of rodent problems.

Occasional barn swallow or something likes to build a nest under the cab of the 3560 in the summer. Only takes them like 2 or 3 days, whatever the heck they are. Other than that no issues for us luckily. YET

 

[Bmyers]

Not sure how effective it is, but I read somewhere that leaving the engine cover open is beneficial. I do that...no problems so far...famous last words?

Right after I got my tractor, it sit for about three days. I went back out to the farm to do some work and poped the hood to check fluids and there was a nest on top of my battery. Cleaned out the nest, then started leaving my hood open ever since and no new nest.

I use the Grandpa Gus Repellent in the cab of the tractor and so far (going into year 6 I think) no mice in the cab.