Home Forums Gear Horses and ATV's Anyway to prevent rodents from eating wires?

This has probably been discussed before but I couldn’t find it. I’ve not found anything so far that discourages rodents from eating the wires in my 4-wheeler and UTV. I’ve tried mothballs and that seemed to work for a while but didn’t ultimately prevent having to repair/replace wiring. Has anyone found a deterrent that works?

I'm listening. I've had my share of expensive problems. Someone wrote earlier that the wire insulation they use now is plant based and they like it.

I’ve heard that also. The mechanic at the Honda shop at old me to try Putting slivers of Irish Spring soap around the wiring harness. I’m trying that but don’t have a lot of hope.

Wrap them in Honda rodent tape. It’s somewhat expensive but is supposed to work.

Tabasco sauce, on anything you don't want ate.

Dryer sheets when parked.

Also

Peppermint spray.

This stuff

Little goes a long way.....smells good too

I put out stuff called “one more bite II”

Get it from the co-op / feed store.

Yellow bricks.

It kill mice and rats.

One More Bite, with Diphacinone, takes multiple feedings and can take up to 2 weeks to kill mice. Stuff with Bromadiolone can do the job with just 1 feeding. It can take 2 or 3 days to kill.

Fresh Cab works great.

https://www.earthkind.com/product/fresh-cab-rodent-repellent/

Was introduced to it by a friend whose family has a large farming operation in Iowa. They use it for all of their winter storage and have no issues with rodents. I used it in the camper while in NM and use it here for the camper, and in the shed with the yard tractor and ATV, so far all has been well.

I use Fresh Cab and rejuvinate it with peppermint and Fir Needle Essential oils. Friend of mine uses Fresh Cab in his $500K Corn Chopper. He has too thoroughly clean it after chopping season. That's good enough for me.

Another vote for Fresh Cab. It keeps mice out of my deer blinds and my Toyota 4-Runner when stored for the winter.

Fresh Cab is pricey but compare the price of pure Balsam Fir Oil. It's expensive, like Amazon's price of $94/16oz. If it works, though, it's cheap.

I got a 4 pack of Fresh Cab to try. The only active ingredient is 2% Balsam Fir oil. There are some other oils but only for people to smell. They don't repel mice. You can easily make this stuff with about any dry vegetable matter, like dry leaves, sawdust, or something, a few drops of the balsam oil and maybe a few drops of peppermint oil or foo foo oil for flavor. Just don't make it smell too much like a French bordello. I think the idea is to overpower the balsam oil that's pretty strong. The oils are available on Amazon and anything you have at home will work for the dry matter. You don't even need a bag. Just put a handful in any small open container.

Thanks for the suggestions! The Fresh Cab sounds very promising

I ordered a 2oz bottle of balsam fir oil from Amazon for $17. I'll top up the Fresh Cab every 30 days or so with a few drops. The stuff's expensive but not nearly as expensive as buying new Fresh Cab every month.

Another vote for Fresh Cab--- it works

I said earlier that I'd ordered a 2oz bottle of balsam fir oil from Amazon to top up the Fresh Carb. I got it and tried it. 2 oz is a waste of money. 1 oz will last all winter although it's much cheaper in a 2 oz bottle. Hopefully it'll keep for a long time. A few drops on an old Fresh Carb bag and it smells like new.

I have problems with mice building nests in my 88 Jeep Cherokee air cleaner box (prior to filter). I have to clean it several times a year or all the insulation from the firewall they use plugs air filter. I have tried a small screen over the intake but it will freeze over driving at highway speeds in some cold snowstorms. I have tried a peppermint soaked rag in a small pill bottle with holes but with so much air passing through it does not last long.
Open to any ideas........Something that will last longer?

Louie

In my pickups that sit outside I’m using the fresh cab repellent packets, including one in the air box under the filter. In the past I’ve had mice shred the filter. We’ll see how it works this year.