Rat-proofing the engine bay

[Mason]

Hey guys,

I went camping last weekend and stayed 2 nights in the same place. When I opened the hood to connect my compressor to air up my tires at the end of the dirt road I discovered a huge rat nest on top of my battery.

I was lucky no wires were chewed up.

How do you protect your engine bay from rodents?

Does anyone manufacture a product that keeps rodents out of the engine bay?

Thanks for your help.

Geoff

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[jromanmd]

man, that must have been one dirty campground. Crazy they made their way up there in 2 days. yeck

 

[Bbp]

Snakes, put a couple snakes in there.

 

[THAW]

According to rumor, 2 techniques are somewhat effective at preventing mice/rat nesting in the engine bay:
1) leave the hood open
2) peppermint spray

 

[tinymay]

Black pepper liberally all around the jeep, on top of the tires and puffed all around the engine bay has done well on my '82 Scrambler project. Probly need to do all that again. It's been a while since they ate my injector wires off.

 

[tk1700]

Peppermint spray and moth balls under the hood. Just don't forget to remove the moth balls before driving.

 

[hilljumper]

I have found that opening the hood and regular cleaning and maintenance are the best measure to deter rats. They are timid and don't like their nesting area disturbed. The longer the jeep sits without driving, cleaning, and attention under the hood, the more likely the occurance of rats.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

When parking outside (especially in the cold days) I use this (sprayed on the hood insulation) and ever since have not seen any mice footprints under the hood.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BHRRZVL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[ArcadeTracks]

I haven't used it myself, but I've seen second-hand/third-hand "good things" about Honda Rodent Tape

 

[Ratbert]

I can just imagine those rats chewing their way into your tent "to snuggle".

 

[Marshall G]

There's a company in Arizona that makes a blinking LED light with alligator clips for your battery.
My experience is, it works great. Something about the blinking light runs them off.

 

[SoK66]

Mothballs in cheesecloth bags. Dryer sheets with high fragrance wok too.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

FYI, if your Jeep is still under warranty and you have any electrical issues (even if it is something as non-related as a locker sensor), thoroughly clean and remove any evidence of rodents under your hood before taking it in to the dealership.

 

[wolfdog]

Just sprayed the crap out of my engine bay with peppermint spray yesterday, top of battery covered with acorn and seeds the next day!!! Chipmunks or mice!!

Guess peppermint spray only works for some folks? Third type of peppermint spray, they seem to like it!! Smells good to us, easier than changing air filters!! Doesn’t work for Shute for me!! LOL NOT SO MUCH!

Go Jeep!!!

 

[ArmyW4]

I live up in the mountains with lots of mice and rats. Up here they put dryer sheets in the places under the hood they like. I had a couple in the space around my battery making a nest out of the battery cover. Cleaned it out and put a few dryer sheets in there and haven't seen any since.

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