Something new...

[Glenn the fifth]

We went camping this weekend and had a good time. Although I don't use the tank level/battery power check lights often (normally not worth checking), the campground was without power for about 6 hours so I decided to check the battery lights on that panel. I had used it a couple of weeks ago and it was working, but when I tried it this time, none of the lights were working. I took the whole panel off the wall (slide out control, light switches, awing control, water heater etc..). When I got it off the wall I noticed that what I am assuming was a mouse had chewed through the red (power) wire for the tank level indicators and had also damaged several other wires in there. I am going to unhook all power (battery too) this coming weekend and repair what I can. Not sure why a mouse would be that far up in a wall chewing on wires. Frustrating to say the least and not sure how I can do much to get the critters out of the wall other than cutting a hole on the inside of the closet which is the opposite side of that panel. Darn-it! Any ideas? I have the panel out away from the wall now and one of those sonic noise makers tucked in there in an attempt to keep them from dong any more damage.

[DQDick]

Pack rats will chew wires almost anywhere and nest in some strange places. Moth balls have been the only sure way I've found to get them out of someplace.

[Glenn the fifth]

Thanks Dick. I don't believe we have any rat issues in our area (never heard about them or seen them), but who knows. I am assuming "pack rats" are just normal rats or are they something different? I have had a couple of squirrel and mice issues (have seen/trapped them), but not any rat issues.

-Glenn

[poloace]

I use rid a rat. Look them up on-line. They are a little led strob that keeps the critters away. I didn't have them on the truck, I have 2 underneath the trailer. They got to my truck. They started chewing the insulation under the hood. Got 2 more for the engine compartment.
Packrats and mice will destroy wiring. A friend has been using them for a couple years, as he had problems at home with Packrats getting his trailer.
They really work.

[jcurtis934]

Packrats, desert mice...whatever...small creatures, not really rat size at all. Trailers are just mice habitat waiting to happen. Can't be lucky all the time and not get them now and then. Have sonics, not sure how well they work. Going to also try fresh cab from tractor supply and the fore-mentioned product. Reasoning of high intensity light as deterrent is sound as good eyesight is key to survival for a mouse. John

[Glenn the fifth]

Thanks Poloace and Jcurtis

[BB_TX]

We had a mouse (mice?) in ours s couple years ago. Found droppings in one of the bedroom cabinet drawers. I put mouse bait in the basement. The next time we used it there was no more sign of mouse. Bait remains in basement and never another mouse (that we know of).