Squirrel Damage

I have had two repairs this month totaling over $2000 on my 06 Tacoma due to chewed hoses and fuel line. South Atlanta Toyota said the hose above the fuel tank (that was chewed) only comes with A NEW FUEL TANK. That was $1400. Charcoal canister had to be replaced because its chewed hose also only comes with a new canister $400+. They said rodents had chewed both hoses. The trouble was revealed when the Check Engine light came on and I was getting p0441 and p0455 emissions codes. My Ultragauge revealed this. There is a rodent repelling device that connects to the battery and uses strobe and ultrasonic sound when it detects motion under the hood and the truck is parked with engine off. I found it on Amazon so I guess I'll try it. You get two for $55. There are battery ones also but I don't want to have to keep changing AA batteries. There is also some so-called rodent repelling tape for wiring but I'll try the electrical device first. Has generally good reviews... 60% 5-star. Anyone got any other ideas? (other than building a garage!)

 

My only advice is to try and get parts like that from a junkyard in the future. Those hoses generally don't go bad or decay, so if you can find one off a truck with some damage in an irrelevant spot, it could save you the cost of buying an entire gas tank.

 

Maybe give the little buggers something else to chew on? Perhaps you can line your parking area with peanut butter-baited rat traps?

 

I had the same thing happen. My tricks were. 1. Empty plastic vitamin container, drill a bunch of 1/4 holes, fill with moth balls and zip tie in engine bay. 2. Use Mens hair spray, spray all wires and dust with cayenne pepper, spray again. 3. Buy Gamo pellet gun, set up bait station, kill ‘em all.

 

The squirrels up here carry off rat trap and all. CCI birdshot .22 won't damage much if you miss, but the little bastages don't like it.

 

I also had this problem on my 4Runner, our cars are parked outside in a car port. I bought the same repellents you bought a few months ago but I bought the battery powered ones. They last a little over two months and I use the rechargeable batteries. I use to spray peppermint oil mixed with water in the engine bay and around my truck. But you have to spray it 3 times a week for it to work so I stopped doing that. But so far so good. Hopefully it stays that way.

 

Oof I am sorry, this is my nightmare. With winter coming hopefully the little critters find homes elsewhere. Good luck

 

Thanks for the comments! I've been feeding them on the patio but that stops today. I noticed a few days ago when we had a washing machine repair guy here, a bunch of squirrels were climbing up into the wheel wells of this truck. Must be attracted to the warmth of the engine. We just thought it was cute at the time but now we've put 2 and 2 together and it's not cute anymore. Anyone know of a circuit breaker switch that will fit in the panel knockouts for extra switches in a 2006 Taco? I'd like to have a breaker in the line with these repellent gadgets and be able to turn them on/off from inside the cab, just in case, to make sure it doesn't short out the battery or run it down.

 

Couldn't you just replace the lines?

 

get a outside cat?? the reason animals are chewing on wires all the sudden is because they are plastic made from corn starch. that's what they are after.

 

I read on one website if you have a flower bed or yard nearby you could use a motion activated sprinkler to scare them off. That's the best I got. Thankfully my only encounter with a squirrel and my truck is a hedge apple in my engine bay.

 

Don’t go to a dealer for repairs
Find local mom n pop garage

 

They also like to get up under the plastic engine cover and eat hoses and injector wires so watch there too - been there done that. I got the electronic repeller but if you are close you too can hear that annoying noise but.... so can't the critters and add mice to the mix ha ha. Many city dwellers get hit when camping.

 

Get some peanut butter and mix it with antifreeze

 

If you don't already have it you may want to consider adding comprehensive coverage to your auto insurance policy with either a low or $0 deductible.

 

So you trained them to come to you food, and now you’re shocked they damaged your truck trying to find food? Hmmmmm

 

There is a whole other thread on this but i cant find it

 

Maybe this is the one?

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/squirrel-problem-whats-your-remedy.508296/

Lots of them on here if you just search "squirrel".

https://www.google.com/search?q=site:tacomaworld.com+squirrel

 

I had my abs harness changed out due to a squirrel. Covered under comprehensive insurance. Minus my deductible. I installed a rid a rat. It’s a flashing led light. Hard wired it to the battery. It’s been almost a year now.