Squirrel Repellent Recommendations?

My 2022 is currently at Toyota awaiting repairs....again. 3 weeks ago it needed one new wiring harness replaced due to squirrel damage with a setback of about $450. I placed peppermint tin cans under the hood, but that was not enough. Current repairs needed; 2 fuel injector lines, engine room harness, front washer hose, and fuel regulator hose...could find more when repairs begin. Estimate is currently at $11.3k! All due to squirrel damage. After fighting with State Farm insurance, they will be moving forward using comprehensive coverage.

I'm considering trying this product next because it has good reviews. Says to spray up to twice a week. Wondering if anyone has any other recommendations, either a spray product or other netting, etc.

 

I use the same. Hope I will continue to have luck on my side from any damages. Here's what I do. I may be wrong but if it helps anyone -


https://youtu.be/qb44R7rJapQ

 

Good to know it works well for you. Just a quick overall spray will suffice? No need to be specific over particular areas? I was planning on drenching the wires, lol

 

I just spray over the engine bay when its cold. I was thinking just that strong smell is what they hate, Not sure.

 

Man... go to a local hardware store or home goods store and buy a 4 ounce bag of moth balls. Punch a few holes in the bag and place it under the hood. Problem solved. It works and only costs about 3 bucks.

 

I went with Grandpa Gus's peppermint oil when something cause $9K of wiring damage to my Runner. I also ditched the engine cover to make it less comfortable for anything.

 

I have herd this works.

 

Garage parking not an option?

 

using my 65 creedmoor is definitely and option! Working on making the garage another option. Had a conversation with the dog about stepping up his catching game too.

 

I had issues with squirrels also in a car outside. My buddy at Honda dealer suggested your first product you had.

Neighbors feed squirrels peanuts and they leave in my lawn and crawl into car and on battery.

I had city code officer send notices out. I’ll be trapping them in spring if it keeps up. I have small yard and hate to use poison don’t want to hurt anyone’s pets. But if neighbors don’t stop I have to do something.

 

Plus 1 on the 6.5 Creedmoor for those long range squirrels.

 

Got this right after finding out a creature had chewed through an ignition wire back in 2019:

$22 Exterminators Choice Vehicle Defense Spray for Cars & Trucks - 32 oz - Anti-Squirrel Peppermint & Garlic Formula - Repels Mice & Rats - Safe for Kids & Pets

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DTBOV06?ie=UTF8

I've only applied it a couple more times since then, no issues. I have to say, though, I still hold to the theory that the rodent damage occurred prior to my purchase of the vehicle, as it was discovered two weeks after purchase, and looked like it had been quite some time since the critters had been around.

 

My understanding is that some vehicles use wiring shrouds/components that contain organic materials like soy extracts for color/structure and some critters get a whiff of that and start chewing, so i’d say the spray deterrent is probably a pretty good plan.

(Aside from the plain-ol’ nest-making activities we’ve seen in our own vehicles that is hard to dissuade since engine compartments are high, warm and dry)

 

It's been that way since the early 2000s. Rodents just chew on anything.

 

It’s probably not the “soy based” theory. It has more to do with the fact rodents need to chew on hard stuff to maintain their teeth. Engine bays are like a castle to a rodent, tons of hidey holes for nesting, and places to store food. The plastic and wires in the engine bay are convenient to chew on before the rodent settles in for the night (or day if they’re nocturnal).

I’d never had any rodent damage (knock wood), but what makes sense to me is to keep your immediate parking area free from food. This includes your garage. If you have a bag of grass seed or other food in the garage, you are just inviting them in. I think you also don’t want your 4runner to end up being the best hiding or housing option. If it’s outside in the wide-open, don't be the perfect hiding spot in a large field where hawks patrol overhead.

I bet repellant measures work best if rodents have other nearby nesting/storage/tooth-maintainance options (Im not saying close by though).

 

+1 to moth balls. I keep some in my shed to deter rodents from the mower etc.

 

I gonna try the moth balls. The garage cat we had ran off the other week.

 

Ever smell mothballs?.. How’d you get their little legs apart!? Lol…Old joke from old goat

 

Get a couple of these things they are killing machines.



I no longer have a problem with mice, moles, squirrels, or anything that moves.

 

I had a problem with squirrels in my garage once . I have a small gap at the top and would watch them climb in and get through that tiny gap. I had planned to take the shoot them approach until I got an ear full from the wife when she saw me in the garage cocked and loaded like Elmer Fudd. After getting an earful I ordered a small trap from Amazon and trapped him. I brought him a few miles away. Needless to say 2 days later he was back. I trapped him again and drove him further this time and a week later he was back again. I painted his tail to mark him. This went on for a couple of weeks and was quite comical. I felt like Elmer Fudd getting out smarted by a squirrel. If only the wife let me dispatch them the first day. I’ve since read a bit more about this and the proper treatment should have been my first plan. Squirrels really can’t be relocated. They say they will often be killed or starved out by the resident squirrels from that neighborhood and often die anyway. Traps are a great idea but letting them go usually isn’t.

 

There are not a ton of good traps for them that take them out. I have used live traps also and rodent company told me they can find there way back 7 miles if you believe that.

The only other way I can figure is live trap and then bucket of water. I can think of things I’d rather do though than that (like read this forum lol)

 

One Bite - works quickly but not good for pets...

 

Yeah I would not want to risk hurting anyone’s pet especially my neighbors. It would just be nice if all neighbors collectively could not feed squirrels and maintain their yards. But that will sadly never happen.

 

Pumas?

 

I just had six trees removed and ride the dirtbike. Squirrels had to move.

 

There was a nest on top of my rear spring rubber cushion. Prob a mouse I don’t know.

 

Hello Barcelonared,
I had rodent chewed wire problem with a Dodge van fuel injector wiring on top of the motor where they nested overnight. After soldering sections of copper wire into eaten sections and covering with heat shrink tubing I wrapped with Honda Anti Rodent electrical tape. It Worked, no repeat issues.

 

I came across this tape but was hesitant about it. Good to know it worked for you. Thanks!

 

Placed a few live traps around the property. No luck yet. The dog, however, caught and killed another squirrel today. He got a nice little steak for that.