Who has tried this? (Rodent Deterant)

No kidding .... Was very acquainted with ammonia back when I was a drafter and making blue prints.
I'll bet it works AWEsome ... Prob is, I want to be able to go into my shop.. LOL!

 

Some of those repellent sprays also say to not use on plastic, read the directions first.

One type of spray sold at places like Tractor Supply in particular, anti-cribbing spray is used to keep horses from chewing on wood, it may work on certain parts but rhe manufacturer doesn’t recommend using it on certain metals or plastic.

 

Ah, there’s nothing like smelling ammonia from the blueprint copier in the morning, goes well with coffee!

 

straight industrial strength ' spearmint ' works.....................smells good

essentially a non poisonous deterrent to insects & critters

 

Same stuff used here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...p0333-diy-knock-sensor-harness-repair.547066/

I got the Tomcat spray because it was readily available at my local Home Depot. Lowes sells them too: https://www.lowes.com/pd/TOMCAT-Rodent-14-oz-Rodent-Repellent/1000763452

 

This particular brand (directions on the label) encourage you to especially hose down the wiring and rubber/plastic parts, so hopefully I'm good on that part..

 

Disclosure: I didn't read the entire thread so sorry if this is a repeat, but I bought that stuff and read the ingredient list then started making my own for a small fraction of the price. Just order some strong capsicum (hot pepper active chemical) extract (not sauce) and some pure 100% mint oil extract (not the diluted room spray mist crap that every Karen on Etsy makes). Get an industrial spray bottle from HD, add 20 drops of the mint extract and about 2 tsp of the capsicum extract then fill to the neck with water. You need to shake the crap out of it before each use because the two oils don't mix with the water. You don't need to spray your engine every time. I've read a lot of articles on this and the experts made a good point that the little F'ers have to get in there somehow from the ground, that how is up your wheels. Thus, once a week or more if it rains, I spray a perimeter around my truck and all around (few sprays, takes 1 minute or less) around each tire and a spray or two one the top of the tire. Haven't had an issue since I started doing this and I did have issues with rodents before doing this.

PS- be careful and ideally wear a mask when spraying. If the wind changes, you are essentially macing yourself.

 

How has it worked so far?

 

Didn't work for me. Straight extract soaked into dish sponges.
Mice nested in my cabin air filter compartment, practically touching the freshly soaked sponge.

 

You know, it's funny that you mention the 'how do they get up/in there in the first place' kinda' thing...
I've had quite a few trucks over the last 40-something years ... Some 4x4 .. The others 2WD ... The only ones I ever had probs with mice getting up into the engine compartment was the 2WD's ... Never once on a 4x4.
So that's kinda why it was a bit shocking to me to suddenly find a new nest brewing under the hood of my new Taco 4x4 ... I thought .. (For some reason) .. I was going to be immune from mice-under-the-hood ..
'Live & Learn' I guess ...

 

Can't judge effectiveness. I have mice in the carport as evidenced by droppings, but never had chewed wires or nests in any of my vehicles. I sprayed it as a precaution because the truck is now parked weeks at a time (unprecedented) due to me working from home. Plan is to respray after engine bay hosedown following each wheeling trip. Tomcat uses cedar oil instead of peppermint.

 

I had mice chew a knock sensor harness when my truck was just a few months old. I ended up zip tieing a strip of an old rag to the side of the battery hold down, and I soak it in peppermint oil at least monthly. Haven’t had an issue in over a year.

 

That seems to be the main ingredient on a lot of these products... A 'something-mint' ... I'll take that as a 'win' as it smells nice.
Thankfully it's not 'skunk-juice' right? LOL!

 

Please don't use poison your cat or somebody else's pet could eat a poison rat then you will be sad.

The bucket is the best way I know. Put enough sunflower seeds in the bucket of water so that the seeds float and look like a surface the rodents can stand on when they jump in grease the sides inside the bucket then count the dead in the am. helps to put a ramp up to the bucket. This works every time for us.

 

THIS is super smart. Should have thought of this instead of re-spraying regularly. Similar to my deer scent hangs for hunting. Great idea.

 

I can’t take credit for it. Wife worked with animals for years before our child was born at the aquarium and insectarium (bug zoo) in the city. She knows more about critters than I’ll ever learn and it was her suggestion.

Also non-toxic and pleasant smelling. I was worried about spraying something I’d smell through the AC or would hurt someone’s outside cat.

 

Been using a cayenne pepper spray myself around the garden to keep various bugs away from damaging the plants, seems to work well. Mice seem to hate peppermint. I've used cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil, and put them in the corners of the garage to.

 

straight raw spearmint is as strong as straight ammonia

 

Love the bottle choice

Who knew it would attract mice too

 

Hey, the 'floating bait' is a good idea.
You know what is weird ... especially as you say 'build a ramp' for them (Makes perfect sense, right?) ... I've had in the shop a 5 gallon bucket ... Maybe half full ... Of used antifreeze that I was waiting to depose of properly ... Only to find a mouse or two in it when I finally got around to it. I still can't figure out HOW they got into it. No 'ramp' or anything.
I won't question the effectiveness though ..