Rodent Deterrent?

AngelaRick

Jan 28, 2026

I'm looking for rodent deterrent options. I just purchased my Bronco Outer Banks on Friday and I'm looking to be proactive. I live out in the Antelope Valley/Kern Co California in the middle of the Mojave Desert in a sparsely populated area. There is open desert behind, to each side, and in front of my house. We've taken steps to reduce things that could entice rodents to our property, but car wiring is apparently a tasty treat according to mechanics. My husband has had to have wiring replaced in his electric car twice now, and both times the mechanic let us know that wire covers are soy based and are a draw for rodent munching. Since that was a couple thousand dollars worth of damage over both repairs I'd like to be proactive and purchase something to help mitigate that. He drives his car 4-5 days a week and mine may only be driven a couple of days a week so won't see the frequent use his does.

Does anyone have an electronic rodent deterrent? Brand recommendations, etc? I don't want to purchase something that may potentially damage my Bronco. They all claim to have a very small draw on the battery. Just looking for some suggestions or help. Thanks so much!

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Jan 28, 2026

I hear peppermint oil thinned with water and sprayed all around the engine compartment tends to keep them away.

BN 1100, Desert Sand Everglades. Reservation 7/30/20. ordered 1/22/21, reordered 10/15/21 dropped tow and hard top, reordered 3/9/22 changed to Everglades. production date 9/7/22 rescheduled 9/14/22 completed 9/26/22, shipped 10/7/22, arrived 10/31/22, delivered 11/03/22

Unicorn, TK1215

Jan 28, 2026

Heard these work fairly well....

Lots O Fords, BuckYeah

Jan 28, 2026

Unicorn
Heard these work fairly well....

I didn't want to say it for fear of sounding too much like a joke but we have several cats (we live on a ranch) and lots of these critters that seem to keep the rodent population in check. this guy was about 6' long. I was laying on the ground working on the Bronco when one of his friend wandered into the shop, right next to me.

Lots O Fords, BuckYeah

Jan 28, 2026

Jakob1972
I hear peppermint oil thinned with water and sprayed all around the engine compartment tends to keep them away.

I put some of these in the dash of my tractor, no mice chewing on wires so far.

Mouse repellent

Joined May 29, 2020 Member 546
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BuckYeah, Unicorn

Jan 28, 2026

Unicorn
Heard these work fairly well....

They are very effective.

Joined May 29, 2020 Member 546
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Unicorn

Jan 29, 2026

We store our Motorhome in out pole barn half of the Winter and mice have been a problem. I solved it by going to the hardware store and buying scent packs. They are either Balsam or Spearmint. They come wrapped in plastic six to a box and I open them and throw the packs in drawers and compartments. Warning, they are strong and will give you a headache so watch where you place them.

Unicorn

Jan 29, 2026

Another thing we had a problem with is we would put poison pellets in our barn for mice but the foxes would get in and eat them, killing the foxes. We like foxes, they eat a lot of mice. What I did was get some 2 inch PVC, (3, 2 foot pieces), and one T-connection. I made a T device which I stand with the stem pointing up and the cross bars lying flat on the floor. Then I pour the poison down the stem. The mice can get to it, but not the foxes or cats or other critters.

Unicorn, BuckYeah

Jan 29, 2026

I hope you don’t have Womp Rats! They’re destructive and hard to kill unless you have a T16.

How to kill Womp Rats

Chris here. I drive "Lebowski," a 2-door Velocity Blue 2023 Ford Bronco Badlands Sasquatch. Lux package. 2.7L V6. Automatic transmission.

Bschurr, JTwitch

Jan 29, 2026

BuckYeah
I hope you don’t have Womp Rats! They’re destructive and hard to kill unless you have a T16.

How to kill Womp Rats

I understand this reference!

BuckYeah, Unicorn

Jan 29, 2026

#10

Unicorn
Heard these work fairly well....They totally do, the problem I have with outdoor cats is they don't live as long and we have coyotes. Thankfully our indoor cats help control it when they do manage to come inside.

Unicorn

Jan 29, 2026

#11

A good dog that gets along with the cats (or at least tolerates them) keeps the coyotes away... I know, I know and before long you have a zoo... but living in the country... Ya get goats to keep the weeds down and and and.... got to have the chickens, fresh eggs are a must.

BuckYeah

Jan 29, 2026

#12

Unicorn
A good dog that gets along with the cats (or at least tolerates them) keeps the coyotes away... I know, I know and before long you have a zoo... but living in the country... Ya get goats to keep the weeds down and and and.... got to have the chickens, fresh eggs are a must.

I've had dogs and... not in a position to do it again. They did not keep the coyotes away (they were both German Shepherds, 90-100lbs each).

And you're right, I don't want a zoo. lol.

Unicorn, James77

Jan 29, 2026

#13

I use light. Parked in a lit up spot. A couple of my vehicles we use motion LED lights.
Some folks use a string of Christmas tree lights under the vehicle.
Prior to doing it, I had damaged wires in my truck.

James77

Jan 29, 2026

#14

Unicorn
A good dog that gets along with the cats (or at least tolerates them) keeps the coyotes away... I know, I know and before long you have a zoo... but living in the country... Ya get goats to keep the weeds down and and and.... got to have the chickens, fresh eggs are a must.

Yup we have goats for the brush, Great Pyrenees to patrol the property, donkeys and llamas to protect the goats. The geese make sure no one enters the property without proper fanfare. I think it’s working we haven’t lost a goat to a predator in 26 years. We did lose a goat to an oak tree once.

Bschurr, Unicorn

Jan 29, 2026

#15

Jakob1972
Yup we have goats for the brush, Great Pyrenees to patrol the property, donkeys and llamas to protect the goats. The geese make sure no one enters the property without proper fanfare. I think it’s working we haven’t lost a goat to a predator in 26 years. We did lose a goat to an oak tree once.

A goat to an oak tree? now that has to be an interesting story...LOL damn goats....

James77, Jakob1972

Jan 29, 2026

#16

Unicorn
A goat to an oak tree? now that has to be an interesting story...LOL damn goats....

Well the goats really like live oaks. The goats gang up on a low hanging branch and pull it down. All the goats decided to let go and one poor goat got its leg caught in a fork in the tree. We count the goats every evening and we thought one was missing but if you ever try to count 300+ goats you know you end up with a different number every time. I didn’t find her until months later when I was checking the deer feeder when I saw what I thought was someone’s coat hanging in the tree. Nope just a mummified goat.

Bschurr, BuckYeah

Jan 29, 2026

#17

Jakob1972
Well the goats really like live oaks. The goats gang up on a low hanging branch and pull it down. All the goats decided to let go and one poor goat got its leg caught in a fork in the tree. We count the goats every evening and we thought one was missing but if you ever try to count 300+ goats you know you end up with a different number every time. I didn’t find her until months later when I was checking the deer feeder when I saw what I thought was someone’s coat hanging in the tree. Nope just a mummified goat.

Yep... goats will climb anything... Poor girl probably died of dehydration.... Sucks.

James77

Feb 19, 2026

#18

I have personally had decent luck with the "Grandpa Gus" products (I am sure there are similair brands out there too). They last about a month from my experience (packets filled with mint/peppermint).

Unicorn

Feb 20, 2026

#19

Cooperhawk
Another thing we had a problem with is we would put poison pellets in our barn for mice but the foxes would get in and eat them, killing the foxes. We like foxes, they eat a lot of mice. What I did was get some 2 inch PVC, (3, 2 foot pieces), and one T-connection. I made a T device which I stand with the stem pointing up and the cross bars lying flat on the floor. Then I pour the poison down the stem. The mice can get to it, but not the foxes or cats or other critters.

Cornbread and Baking Soda Method:
The cornbread and baking soda method is a DIY approach to controlling rat populations, particularly in homes and farms. This method is considered pet-safe and uses simple ingredients.

Ingredients and Preparation
Required Ingredients
4 teaspoons of Jiffy honey cornbread mix
4 teaspoons of baking soda
1 plastic container (like Tupperware)
Preparation Steps
Cut a hole in the side of the plastic container to create a bait station.
Mix the cornbread mix and baking soda together.
Place the mixture inside the container.
How It Works
The sweetness of the cornbread mix attracts rats. When they consume the mixture, the baking soda reacts with the acids in their stomachs, producing gas. Rats cannot expel gas, leading to a fatal buildup.

Effectiveness and Safety
This method has been reported to be effective in reducing rat populations. It is also safe for pets, making it a popular choice among homeowners and farmers. This does not have a secondary affect by killing birds of prey and the like. It works! However, it is essential to monitor the area to ensure that pets do not access the bait

Rydfree, Jakob1972

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