Rocky ate my car

[rlwhitetr3b]

Ok, it was really my daughter’s car. We live in about three acers timber. A large number of the trees are black walnuts. As you might expect we have a LOT of squirrels. We had my daughter’s car in for repair and they found a lot of squirrel damage under the hood. What do you suggest to deter them from damaging our cars? The squirrels are here to stay and we do not have enough garage parking for all the cars.

 

[4xdog]

BTDT. I have a festering dislike for those tree-dwelling rats.

On my RX350 last year, returning from a business trip I had $500 in wiring damage.

I've heard (and tried) a scented fabric softener pack under the hood to deter squirrels. I've done that and had no damage, but that isn't really proof. It's easy and cheap, though.

My solution has been one step short of shooting the b****rds. I've trapped and relocated about 15 squirrels about eight miles away across two interstate highways. Yes, there are folks who say they'll come back -- but I doubt that. There are others who say their survival rate is low and it's cruel. I doubt that, too, and I know the alternative I'd come up with has a lower survival rate.

The Lexus and the XJ Cherokee before that with squirrel damage to wiring and vacuum lines were both within ten feet or so of a tree. I've not had squirrel damage to cars more than about twenty feet from a tree. It's not easy to do that, given my yard and driveway, but if you have a chance not to park so close to what they seem to consider the "safety" of a tree, it might be worth a try.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

Ran through that same problem living with my parents for 5 months last year. I started a post about eradicating them. Dad tried a 12V powered under hood sound deterrent which didn't work all that well, now he parks his Ranger over a similar but more powerful device that is plugged into the wall. Peppermint oil seems to be working with frequent application. The no chew stuff sold at the pet store was pricey and if you even got a tiny bit of the mist near your mouth it could make you gag for days.

Squirrels are constantly looking for shelter and something to chew on, their teeth grow like a beaver's and they need to chew on anything to keep them in control. Nothing seems to be off the table unless it tastes absolutely horrible (oddly they've chew a hole in two gas tanks on his mower) or is dangerous.

Shooting them has worked best for me, a bonus if it appears to be a lactating female. Pellet gun works ok but requires a clean shot. A 12ga with #8 shot at 20 yards or less will turn them inside out.

 

[Evilunclegrimace]

Squirrel with biscuits and gravy! YUM!

 

[Mick56]

Get some outdoor cats.

 

[alcorelli]

Coyotes

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[pcmeiners]

Wow that is a lot of damage. caprasin spray should work, same essential part of pepper which they can't stand, or sprinkled ground pepper. Had a garden issue, once they get it on their paws they go nuts. My squirrels will avoid a treated area completely for 2-3 years. To add to the Soy based rodent issue, it is not only soy based wires they eat, In Queens NY they have a big issue with squirrels eating old copper telco lines, this goes back decades ago.
As to pepper products, squirrel lick their paw often, they get the pepper taste, then go crazy from the burning sensation, comical to watch, but they learn the first time not to come back.

Ps. Thanks but I will pass on the Thankgiving invitation, I have enough auto repair bills

 

[tomtomgt356]

Squirrel and dumplins is delicious!

 

[SGKent]

if your state allows it, (mine doesn't for gray tree squirrels without a permit), shoot or trap them. They look nice and are cute but the damage they do is not worth having them around. They damage cars, trees by chewing limbs and stripping bark, roofs and attics. It will be a full time job getting rid of them. I use peanuts in a have-a-hart trap. Then kill them. In this state it is illegal to drown them, and although you can shoot them the gun laws prohibit discharge of a firearm or pellet gun in the county even in self defense or jail time, so a co2 chamber has to be used to put them down. PETA wants those outlawed too. Frankly PETA should be responsible to pay for the damages many of these animals cause because they are directly involved in their high populations.

 

[MrSurly]

Moth balls. Scatter then under hood and elsewhere.
Cheap!

 

[pattenp]

All our squirrels nest high in the trees. The only thing I've had problems with is mice and chipmunks. There is a wire tape that is made to protect wires from rodents. A lot of wire insulation is soy based and is why the rodents chew on them. They think it's food.

 

[jd_1138]

I guess spraying hot pepper sauce on the engine keeps them away. A friend of mine had her Chrysler 300 eating up by some critters. $650 repair bill at the Chrysler dealer.

 

[b-boy]

I have an ongoing battle with squirrels and chipmunks. I have large black walnut trees that drop fruit every other year. Every squirrel in the county shows up when the nuts start falling.

This year I sealed up my crawlspace and they're still getting in.

They've eaten my wiring and did a number on my lawnmower last winter. They ate a hole in my radiator hose and mice chewed part way through my mower belt. I've put out traps, but haven't had much luck.

 

[4xdog]

...A lot of wire insulation is soy based and is why the rodents chew on them. They think it's food.

I call BS on this (with no offense). My neighbor says the same, simply repeating unattributed statements he’s heard. As one who’s worked in polymer science for forty years, and who’s had wiring in cars from the 80s eaten by squirrels, it simply doesn’t hold water. My other neighbor, a master plumber, has seen lead flashing on a roof vent eaten down to the shingles by squirrels. There’s something sbout a gravid squirrel thst just makes her eat stuff. Could very well be the metal for all I know.

 

[alcorelli]

Coyotes.

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[4xdog]

BTW, Rich, as a minor hijack to your thread, it's great to see another TR3B owner on here. There aren't that many of us!

Here's mine, TSF202L, which I've owned for thirty eight years.

 

[pattenp]

A lot of wire insulation is soy based and is why the rodents chew on them. They think it's food.

I call BS on this (with no offense)..

Some in the automotive industry thinks the soy based insulation has increased the problem. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a21933466/does-your-car-have-wiring-that-rodents-think-is-tasty/

 

[Hot shot]

22 rifle works for me

 

[4xdog]

Some in the automotive industry thinks the soy based insulation has increased the problem. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a21933466/does-your-car-have-wiring-that-rodents-think-is-tasty/

But if one reads the article, there are probably *more* who think it makes no difference! And nobody has cited any research on the subject yet.

(Thx for the link --)

 

[b-boy]

But if one reads the article, there are probably *more* who think it makes no difference! And nobody has cited any research on the subject yet.

(Thx for the link --)

There's probably no research, because who's going to fund this research?

 

[BonzoHansen]

Black walnuts are just terrible trees. Awful. We had 2. Last to get leaves, first to shed them, and messy as hell. Cutting them down was a glorious day lol

 

[Jazz1]

Could be a lot of board feet in the Black Walnut if you were to sell them to a mill. $$$
I know mothballs work but there must be some sprays to deter vermin, mothballs not a pleasant odour to permeate car.
I saw a ground hog crawl out of a car parked at our lot, he too had caused some serious damage.

 

[Wrench97]

Moth balls work for some customers pepper spray for others, I'm not sure if they build up a tolerance for one or the other or if diet or sub-species makes the difference.

 

[Aaron_W]

I've seen most of the home remedies mentioned already, I'm not sure any really work. They do seem to prefer cars though for some reason, maybe height. At one work location we had an issue with squirrels chewing on wiring, but it was always on the cars, they never seemed to be interested in the trucks.

Something else to watch for besides the wiring, sometimes they will stash nuts and acorns under the hood. I went on a car fire several years ago and after we got it extinguished we were poking around to see f we could find the cause. The space between the exhaust manifold and heat shield was packed tight with acorns.

After driving about 20 minutes the acorns caught fire and burned through the fuel lines leading to an acorn scented car-b-que.

 

[frankd]

I had the same issue with my new Ram 1500. Had a few warnings lights on the dash. brought it in and was told that it looked like an animal was chewing on the wires near the wheel speed sensor. They agreed to fix it under warranty but said that if it happened again, it wouldn't be covered. I don't live in a rural area at all so I thought the dealership was full of it... but after doing some google searching and asking around, it appears to be a real issue.
I bought a squirrel/small animal trap on Amazon. So far I got one opossum and like 4 or 5 squirrels. The only problem is that when I get rid of a squirrel, it seems like 2 more take its place.

 

[frankd]

I call BS on this (with no offense). My neighbor says the same, simply repeating unattributed statements he’s heard. As one who’s worked in polymer science for forty years, and who’s had wiring in cars from the 80s eaten by squirrels, it simply doesn’t hold water. My other neighbor, a master plumber, has seen lead flashing on a roof vent eaten down to the shingles by squirrels. There’s something sbout a gravid squirrel thst just makes her eat stuff. Could very well be the metal for all I know.

Seems like there is some truth to the soy based wiring argument...

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a21933466/does-your-car-have-wiring-that-rodents-think-is-tasty/

https://www.thedrive.com/news/20878/rodents-are-feasting-on-newer-cars-soy-based-wiring-insulation

https://www.autonews.com/article/20...-of-suit-over-rodent-damaged-soy-based-wiring

 

[LS6 Tommy]

A lot of wire insulation is soy based and is why the rodents chew on them. They think it's food.

I call BS on this (with no offense). My neighbor says the same, simply repeating unattributed statements he’s heard. As one who’s worked in polymer science for forty years, and who’s had wiring in cars from the 80s eaten by squirrels, it simply doesn’t hold water.

It's not BS. It's a fact. You can thank CA. They decided the old insulation caused cancer.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/20878/rodents-are-feasting-on-newer-cars-soy-based-wiring-insulation

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a21933466/does-your-car-have-wiring-that-rodents-think-is-tasty/

Ultrasonic deterrents, moth balls and drier sheets are ineffective. Ask any honest pest company if they use ultrasonic units. Nope. Rodents ignore moth balls and make nests out of the drier sheets.

Tommy

 

[nh_yota]

Cats don't go after squirrels...just ask me how I know...

 

[Mick56]

I had deer chewing on my garden plants, so I bought a bottle of "Repel". Mix some with water and spray it on the plants. It really worked, although it smelled like cr@p.

 

[hotrod1968]

BTDT. I have a festering dislike for those tree-dwelling rats.

On my RX350 last year, returning from a business trip I had $500 in wiring damage.

I've heard (and tried) a scented fabric softener pack under the hood to deter squirrels. I've done that and had no damage, but that isn't really proof. It's easy and cheap, though.

My solution has been one step short of shooting the b****rds. I've trapped and relocated about 15 squirrels about eight miles away across two interstate highways. Yes, there are folks who say they'll come back -- but I doubt that. There are others who say their survival rate is low and it's cruel. I doubt that, too, and I know the alternative I'd come up with has a lower survival rate.

The Lexus and the XJ Cherokee before that with squirrel damage to wiring and vacuum lines were both within ten feet or so of a tree. I've not had squirrel damage to cars more than about twenty feet from a tree. It's not easy to do that, given my yard and driveway, but if you have a chance not to park so close to what they seem to consider the "safety" of a tree, it might be worth a try.

This.....17hmr... I have zero squirrels...

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[rlwhitetr3b]

Thanks for the suggestions, I will try some of them. Our trail cameras have see coyotes, foxes and lot of cats coming though the yard. To remove the black walnut trees would mean cutting down hundreds of trees and destroy the look of the yard for decades. Her work schedule last year had her coming home at 10pm, so it was warm at night. This year she gets home about 2:30pm so I hope that will hope also. We have not noticed damage on the other cars...

 

[txvwnut]

Dryer sheets or moth balls work well. Setup a feeder with peanuts and get yourself a good air rifle and then take it to the squirrels. I did that around here and the squirrel population has diminished quite remarkably.

 

[rburke65]

They can sure mess up some house wiring!

 

[mcj115]

Honda rodent tape....

 

[mmb617]

Cats don't go after squirrels...just ask me how I know...

I don't know about cats but dogs sure do. My girl used to even catch and kill one sometimes in her younger years. Now they laugh at her but she still chases them.

 

[Jinks]

Haven't tried it on squirrels or cars, but it works on other critters. Get a large bottle of Tabasco. Strain it so it won't clog a spray bottle, & mix it with water. About two table spoons in a standard spray bottle. Spray it where you want the critters to stay away from. You'll see why they stay away if you inhale any of the spray. It's cheap & effective, but I don't know how squirrels will react, or what the moisture will do to your car.

 

[BonzoHansen]

Honda rodent tape....

https://www.collegehillshonda.com/product/4019-2317.html

i had to look that one up

 

[SGKent]

skunk. We have a skunk that moved into a neighbor's yard. Their kids got sprayed twice playing on their trampoline. Haven't see a squirrel nearby since - day, night, apple tree next door - anywhere. They had a nest right above where the skunk moved in. Apparently they too avoid skunks. We used to see about 10 a day before the skunk sprayed.

Maybe get a couple male skunks, have them neutered and deglanded then let them wander about the area. My guess is that the squirrels will know better than to come close by.

also this is from SFGate online:

Cider Vinegar

Squirrels object to the scent of cider vinegar, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Because of that, cider vinegar can be highly effective for keeping squirrels at bay. Simply immerse cloths in cider vinegar and place them in a key part of your home, such as the attic. You'll need to replace the cloths with new ones whenever they lose their strength.

 

[Jackfre]

Bushy tailed rat stew. They make a great dark gravy. Shoot them, make the stew, throw a party and don't tell anyone they are eating BTR. They will love it and then vomit when after dinner you tell them. I know.
I use a combination of air rifles and 22's. Check out the straightshoters.com website for excellent air rifle info. On the 22 side, I just picked up a CZ Lux, perhaps the perfect squirrel weapon if noise isn't a problem. Perhaps the sub-sonic 22's.
My daughter had this problem a few years ago with a brand new Forrester. The wiring harness was destroyed in a single morning. The entire harness was replaced. She spoke with the service manager afterward and he said, get rid of it

 

[dw1]

Ok, it was really my daughter’s car. We live in about three acers timber. A large number of the trees are black walnuts. As you might expect we have a LOT of squirrels. We had my daughter’s car in for repair and they found a lot of squirrel damage under the hood. What do you suggest to deter them from damaging our cars? The squirrels are here to stay and we do not have enough garage parking for all the cars.

Just about the exact same thing happened to my S.I.L's car, I replaced a little wiring, soldered the connections and heat shrink over the splices, that was back in the spring, its still holding up