Storing car in Rodent prone areas - Damage solutions?

Its the half chewed wire I was thinking off, way out bush and then a short! I got a bit worried about the wildlife when we found a couple of dying mice out on the driveway in the open. I would say that there would be casualties that we did not want to create.

The blocks would create the same result I think. Thanks for that, Regards Tony

Listerene - Very Interesting. :-) As you said it may be worth a try. There is some stored in a cupboard here somewhere. Ta Regards Tony

I've been told that Listerene is also a good insect repellent (in place of Aerogard).

Haven't tried it so can't comment further.

Peter

Mrs Bushwhacker heard about Listerene as fly spray/repellant, tried spraying it around the door of the CT,,, worked a treat.Whacker

Hi, we have a mice plague at the moment i am interested in your use of listerene. Did you dilute it at all and what areas did you spray?

We diluted 50/50, and used no-name mouthwash (smells the same). Sprayed it around camper door areas, kept the flies at bay. Dunno about mice though, 'Whacker

Bush rats are a big problem around where I live, which is after all 'in the bush'. Our neighbour blew a motor due to overheating caused by rats eating wires & rubber.

As Mark says "leave your bonnet fully open". That's what we do and it works well enough.

If we have the bonnet down & don't use the car for a couple of days you can bet that they will start moving in and making a nest with leaves, straw & twigs, which are a real fire hazzard.

The mouthwash idea sounds interesting but I can attest that their teeth & gums are pretty healthy.

Mark & Wayne. Thanks for that! Yes I will have to resort to that method I would say. Did think of it but why I have not to date is more due to our weather. It rains most of the year where I live and we are up in the clouds as well. If you stand still moss grows down your side. Anything left uncovered seems to get a green film over it :-) thus bonnet closed. Will have to reorganize the shed to get the car further into the protected zone.

There is always good and bad points for where you live :-). Regards Tony

Ta John. It was when I found dying mice and rats on the ground outside the shed that I started thinking of the birds that would like the opportunity to partake of an easy meal.

The bait stations are disappearing on a daily basis, but they are showing signs of slowing down the feeding rate. Regards TONY

Tony, I guess they didn't die in your walls or ceiling though which is a major plus. Being small they bury easily or even flush. They would tend to enhance the bacterial flora in effluent situation.

I would worry about birds somewhat, but having seen plenty of rabbits after 1080 and no visible bird consequence, the bird observer in me will watch for that. Sparrows, starlings, blackbirds and Indian Miners are different though...............

Thanks Joc45 - I was hoping someone had devised a vehicle protection plan! Guess it is poison and traps. The bonnet up method may save the engine compartment though!

As we have a yearly problem in the house we have those balancing tunnel traps and the bait of choice is peanut paste. When trapped they go to sleep in the freezer.

Its damage you can do without and money you do not like to spend to fix it all! regards Tony

Hi Tony, yeh, we use the balancing tunnel traps for mice, and like you have discovered that peanut paste works well. This is the only stuff that super-cunning rats will go for at home. Mix it with Bromokil and they can't resist it, whereas they won't go near Ratsak or Bromokil tablets on their own.
On my wagon, the mice also chewed thru the foam seal around the radiator, but fortunately left the electrical wiring alone. But at least the new rear door seal I replaced is of later design, and keeps out the dust better!
When I'm camping, the food box is on runners, seals well, and stays in the wagon. Other odds and sods I put in the zip-up annexe of the tent, away from marauding vermin. I once left the food box out on the ground, and by morning, I found ants had found their way thru the small gaps, and being up north, they were not interested in sugary things, only cereals and bread.
cheers,
Gerry

Gerry. Nice rig you have & that is a bumpy Tablelands Track - Were is that located? Your photos suggest you have been to some great places :-). Cheers Tony

Hi Tony,
The Tableland Track is in the Kimberley - described in Ron Moon's Kimberley book. Did it back in 2001. It runs south of the Gibb River Road roughly from Glenroy Station (Old Mornington Road) on the west end, eastwards through Tableland Station, Teronis Gorge in the Durack Range, Mt Bedford Downs Station, then through to the highway between Turkey Creek and Halls Creek. Fairly easy, but Teronis Gorge is a bit bumpy and there was a boggy patch going thru Durack Range. The photo was taken not far before the boggy section crossing the Durack Ranges. A great drive, tho, lots of great scenery, and Teronis Gorge was great. I thought it had been closed off by station owners, but it was done by some friends middle of last year no probs.
Cheers,
Gerry

We just got back from 4 days at Thomas River & obviously nothing has changed in 3 years, I even had them on my pillow.And our bed is 2 metres off the ground.