joraz
Tucson
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Joined: 08/16/2008
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2005 Winnebago Minnie
I live in Tucson and park my rig (man, that sounds great; just got it yesterday) at my house. This area has got to be the pack rat capital of our country as we are plagued by them constantly. I've had to rewire my old 67 F-100 twice and they got a good start on my Suburban too. Any ideas out there on how to keep them out of the RV?
Most folks around here (whose cars are still intact) keep their hoods up with a trouble light laying on the engine. I do that sometimes and I also keep sheets of Bounce under the hood and dash. I've also tried peppermint and moth balls.
What prompts this question is, I lifted the bed mattress today and got a look at the million or so wires in this thing. I mean, it's a pack rat's banquet. Thanks.
jor
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byronlj
Loveland, CO/Lake Havasu City, AZ
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Joined: 11/30/2002
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The first year I was in Havasu I got a pack rat. He didn't tear anything up, just stashed some pumpkin seeds throughout the rig. I cleaned up after him and then put two of those electric varmit devices one at the front and one at the rear of my fifth wheel. Never saw signs of any critters again.
Dave
byronlj
07.5 Silverado LTZ Ex. Cab 3500HD dually 4X4 duramax LMM/allison 6spd
07 HR Presidential Suite 37RLQ
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mike4947
N. Syracuse, NY
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Joined: 08/26/2002
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Not the engine compartment other than what the folks with regular cars and trucks do. But the body of a coach or a trailer for that matter can be vermin proofed in just a couple of hours.
Two people, a caulking gun, and a strong light is all you need. One person inside the RV with the light shining it EVERYWHERE including in all the cabinets and dinette seats and the other under the RV caulking until there's no light coming through.
If you have a "basement" it takes two rounds. One between the inside and the basement compartments and a second round between the basement compartments and the outside.
Since we started doing this about 15 years ago after finding a mouse nest with momma and 6 pink babies in a nest made from dryer sheets in a drawer we haven't had a rodent invasion since. Even on units parked in fields.
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jrs1871
Kansas
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Joined: 11/22/2007
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We had to repair wiring on one of our pickups twice because of pack rats eating the insulation off of it and causing it to short out. Seems once they get into one vehicle, they like to return to it. The parts to repair the damage wasn't expensive but the tow bill and labor was. About $200 each time. The second time it happened, we went to the auto parts store and got a spray that they use on airplanes to keep them out of the wiring. I can't remember the name of it however. It worked and we never had anymore problems with pack rats eating the wiring. Hope this helps.
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catman2130093
Florida
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Joined: 11/22/2007
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It's always something I guess! I fulltime, and have 2 indoor only cats, so rodents aren't anything I worry about. I DO worry that when I finally make it out west, that uninvited scorpions might find their way indoors. Cats being curious will naturally catch them, then put their nose right down on them, leading to bad stuff for the cat and me both..
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joraz
Tucson
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Joined: 08/16/2008
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OK. Spray, electric device and caulking. I'm on it! Thanks.
jor
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Hornet28BHDS
Parker, PA
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Joined: 01/29/2007
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Good luck!
2006 Hornet 28BHDS-Bunk House, Dual Slides
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 HD
5.7L Hemi, Factory Towing Package
Reese Brake Controller, WD Hitch and Sway Bar
Life is short, why not spend it in an RV!
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!
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D&E Johnson
Ontario Canada/Brenda Arizona
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Joined: 08/30/2003
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my indoor cat would just sit back and watch them chewing the wiring..!LOL. He's afraid of the little chipmuncks in the yard..Dona
Dona and Elvin
2004 6.0l F350 turbo-diesel/4x4/crew cab/shortbed-wedgewood blue)
2007 Open Road 359RL3S
2004 Yamaha Kodiak 400 ATV
Retired early and ready to see North America!
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tabraha
Pomaria, South Carolina
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Joined: 05/27/2007
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Just got finished cleaning out the travel trailer to trade it in. I think I'm the pack rat! 
2009 Bristol Bay by SunnyBrook 3420BH 36.5'L, 11.1k dry
2005 F350 Superduty 6.0 CrewCab, Longbed, DRW, 4" exhaust, SCT with custom tunes, triple Autometer gauges and pillar pod, Tow Command Package, 4.10 LSD rear
Nicknamed "Tiny"
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pkunk
Questa, NM
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Joined: 12/28/2007
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I used to have a real mouse & packrat problem. I started using "Rat-a-Way" and they've not bothered me since.
1989 Allegro, 30 ft., 454 CI 4 BBL, 3 spd.auto, 125gal.gas tank,85g.water & 85 grey &75 black holding tanks. 3-12v Optima 31m coach batteries
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