Hi all, first time ft owner of about 11 mos. Now workamping at brownsville,tx state park. Ranger warned of rodents. I have 60watt trouble lamp with timer over engine.
What about my 12v docking lights for use nightly for about 3months? Or use rope lights,and halogen lights? Thanks
Tom,
I wouldn't use the docking lights for rodent control. If you want lights I would go with rope lights or independent flood lights. Lots of folks use Fresh Cab rodent stuff, fox urine crystals, peppermint oil on cotton balls, Irish spring soap bars, and even dryer sheets. Different things seem to work best for different people like boxers or briefs.
Have you stuffed stainless steel wool around the hoses/cables where the cable tray comes through the front and rear bulkheads? If not that is a great entry place for those little devils. We have all the cable tray penetrations stuffed with stainless steel wool so if they get in one compartment hopefully they will be trapped in that compartment. You can get SS wool in the kitchen section of most grocery stores and it come in a 3 pack. Some people have used spray foam around these penetrations.
Pamela & Mike
Pamela and Mike, thanks for reply. Will look for foam and ss wool. Thanks again !!
Anything that wants in will gnaw through the foam. Steel wool will work better. I am not convinced the lights will keep rats, mice, snakes and everything else that the light sellers claim out of your space. Lots of anecdotal stories. If you have no rodent problems and you have lights on then they must work? If they seem to work for you then OK. Just try to get some that don't make your coach look like a circus wagon. We have seen some horrible examples.
I have successfully used sticky traps baited with peanuts.
I put them in the bay where the power cord comes in.
I did that after I found some mice had gotten in.
Under the refrigerator is another target area
I also baited under the sink and caught several before I started in the bay.
Garish strings of lights placed around/over/under the coach will
positively repel rodents of all sizes, up to and including pachyderms.
Oh, you want proof? Ever seen a elephant in a RV park?
In an RV park? No. But just up the street we have had elephants, alligators, wild dogs, hippos, camels, sasquatch and a flying pig and lots more. All courtesy of a local metal sculptor.
(https://s13.postimg.org/6ma274c2f/F1969_A38-8_A3_A-48_DD-_BD73-_B98_AAA0_CCF1_A.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Some lights may repell humanoids.
I would say if you leave your docking lights on all night, you might find yourself being asked to leave. No one needs those bright lights shinning all night. Might even see those rats wearing sunglasses when they come past you.
Many thanks for the replies.
I bought 2 walmart 500w halogen flood lights.
Placed rear one shining foreward behind rear flap. Front flood shines towards rear. Only myself and fellow worksmper here, with same floods.
Also 100w bulb in engine compartment with timer.
That's rude, mostly done by rookies who have not learned "campground manners". :P
I would go with the "sticky board" traps and a Daisey Red Ryder.