Rodent Damage

[GarageMahal]

I took the truck in to my dealer on Thursday to figure out why the "frunk is ajar" warning is on and they found the cause to be rodent damage. Wires were chewed in 3 different spots

There have been no signs of mice in my garage so I am assuming it was caused by squirrels where I work. Note that I live and work in an urban area and am always parked on pavement.

My research so far shows that this isn't really an EV only problem but I really wasn't expecting it to be something I needed to worry about. Now to decide on the best way to prevent it from recurring.

Wondering what vehicle makers could do different to prevent the problem...

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[River Rat]

Stop using Soy to make the wire sheath for one.

 

[The Weatherman]

Yep. Had rabbits chew through the wire harness on a brand new Ford Maverick two years ago. Soy!!

 

[Blochead21]

My friend had this happen on his lightning with mice. I had this happen on my old explorer twice. I had to keep moth balls in the engine bay to keep away the squirrels.

 

[elcoop]

I took the truck in to my dealer on Thursday to figure out why the "frunk is ajar" warning is on and they found the cause to be rodent damage. Wires were chewed in 3 different spots

There have been no signs of mice in my garage so I am assuming it was caused by squirrels where I work. Note that I live and work in an urban area and am always parked on pavement.

My research so far shows that this isn't really an EV only problem but I really wasn't expecting it to be something I needed to worry about. Now to decide on the best way to prevent it from recurring.

Wondering what vehicle makers could do different to prevent the problem...

 

[TheWoo]

Spent $2k earlier this fall to repair rodent damage in our Bronco. Hoping to not have the same issue with the Lightning...or the Bronco again. Lots of squirrels in my hood!

 

[gregoryhcain]

Mice totaled my Audi, made a mess of, but didn't damage my Toyata and my MasterCraft (caught the later two just after I discovered the Audi damage. Had to hire professional exterminator for my garage. One ungodly mess!

 

[elcoop]

I have spent several thousand dollars over the past 5 or so years on rodent damage. After many searches and understanding that the auto manufacturers were not being helpful, I was led to an article that indicated that Honda had a product called "rodent tape". The active ingredient is Capsaicin from hot peppers.

My solution has been to chop up Jalapeno peppers, boil them in water, strain the peppers so I only have the fluid, and put it in a spray bottle. I spray the underside around the wheels on my lightning and into the areas where the rams move up and down. So far, no damage. I use it on my VW ID4 also. The VW was damaged within two weeks of ownership. Since I apply the spray about every other day I have had no more damage.

(I do warn technicians to wear gloves and not touch their faces!)

 

[Danface]

I have spent several thousand dollars over the past 5 or so years on rodent damage. After many searches and understanding that the auto manufacturers were not being helpful, I was led to an article that indicated that Honda had a product called "rodent tape". The active ingredient is Capsaicin from hot peppers.

My solution has been to chop up Jalapeno peppers, boil them in water, strain the peppers so I only have the fluid, and put it in a spray bottle. I spray the underside around the wheels on my lightning and into the areas where the rams move up and down. So far, no damage. I use it on my VW ID4 also. The VW was damaged within two weeks of ownership. Since I apply the spray about every other day I have had no more damage.

(I do warn technicians to wear gloves and not touch their faces!)

Do you have problem with people waiting by you VW for tacos?

 

[River Rat]

I can get Doctor Doom (I think) spray for rodent control but lucky we have Eastern fox Snakes, foxes and Weasel so not many rodents observed.

 

[GarageMahal]

So I pick the truck up Monday afternoon after repairs are completed, drive to work Tuesday morning with no issues. Note that I also sprayed some rodent repellent in the wheel wells before heading to work.

Start it after work and get "service soon" warning again and notice front turn signals are not working. When I stopped to pick up pizza for dinner I notice that the headlights never turned off. Get home, disconnect 12v battery so lights go off.

Drive it back to dealer Wednesday morning and sure enough more rodent damage. Both headlight harnesses totally destroyed along with charge port wiring. And of course some of the previous repairs were chewed through again.

All of this damage in under 8 hours parked at work, in the middle of a black top lot. Needless to say, I now accelerate when I see squirrels in the road. (There is zero sign of rodents in my garage so it must be happening at work)

Not sure what I am going do next as I cant stop driving it to the office. Going to try parking in the lot on the other side of the building when I get it back this time.

At least my dealer has been great to work on and is taking very good care of me.

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