Help, Squirrels are Eating My RV

by Nancy
(Parrish, FL)

HELP !!! Squirrels are Eating My RV

HELP !!! Squirrels are Eating My RV

My Class C is in the shop now to repair fuel lines and maybe other damage caused by squirrels.

I first noticed teeth marks on the plastic parts under the front bumper. The shop informed me today that the wiring harness had also been attacked, the bill is already up to $2600.

I keep my RV in my back yard where there are several oak trees and lots of squirrels. People have suggested coyote urine spray. Has anyone had a similar problem? How can I keep the squirrels out of my engine?


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ANSWER: Hi Nancy, Sorry that you are going through this. Let's see if I can help you. OK I'll start off by talking about Coyote Urine (I never thought I would write a sentence like this when answering an RVing question). Coyote Urine is primarily used for repelling deer. What you need is Fox Urine Granules which is suppose to repel beavers, chipmunks, groundhogs, gophers, porcupines, mice, moles, possum, rabbits, rats, shrews, skunks, squirrels, woodchucks, and voles. I would liberally shake these granules around your RV and reapply as needed after rains etc.

If you have electricity available in the RV you can also try using Ultrasonic Squirrel Repellers in and around the RV. The ultrasonic sound produced by these repellers is suppose to drive these unwanted little critters away and cannot be heard by Humans, Dogs or Cats. Some people report
very good results with these Ultrasonic Repellers.

Depending on how many Squirrels you have on your property you could set out some Squirrel Cage Traps to catch and relocate these critters to another area. The problem with these traps is that you would have to check them on a daily basis to make sure that you have not caught your neighbor's cat by mistake; plus you would also have to find a proper place to relocate these little pests far, far, away from your property.

Take a look at the video below that will show you how to make simple home recipe that you may want to try and spray around your RV, it may help to repel these pesky Squirrels.


Lastly you could contact a pest control company in your area and have them come out and tell you what they can do to get rid of the squirrel problem on your property. Yes, this will cost you some money, but I am pretty sure that it would cost far less than the $2,600.00 you have already paid to repair the problems that these little critters have already caused.

Hopefully some of our visitors will also have some suggestions for you as well.

Do you have any suggestions or comments on this topic? You can add them to this page by clicking on the "Click Here To Post Comments" link located near the bottom of this page.

Happy RVing

RVing Al

Comments for Help, Squirrels are Eating My RV

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Rating
starstarstarstar 		Where theres food...
by: James

You must take proper action if the food source is available and they have established a territory.
The only way I have been able to rid myself of a squirrel is to use a live trap, peanut butter, and send bathing afterward.

Regards
J
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		bounce
by: Anonymous

bounce sheets
have worked for many years

have to try the isrish spring trick too
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		rodents
by: mary

i use irish spring soap.it needs to be relalaced yearly.works wonders
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Caution about using poison
by: Anonymous

Only problem with using poison is that they might die somewhere in the confines of your RV and cause a stink that won't go away for months!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Critters
by: Deb


Bounce Dryer Sheets

Bounce dryer sheets tucked into the inside in different places repels all kinds of critters. They hate the smell. I put them in my shed and greenhouse and in my lawnmower. Used to have mice nesting everywhere. Not so with the dryer sheets. Use fresh ones every season. The only issue with an RV you will have to air it out to get rid of the strong smell.
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Moth Balls Don't Deter Squirrels
by: Heritagehei


Ultrasonic Pest and Squirrel Repellars

I am in Ontario and purchased a truck and 5th wheel last October. The truck was stored in the driveway all winter and the squirrels repeatedly stripped away the insulation from the firewall and then the hood to make nests in the air intake. I put mothballs in the air intake but had to remove another nest that was made right over the mothballs.

Now in the spring, they have found a way into the basement of the 5th wheel and even used some of the steel wool we had stuffed in crevices, as nesting material. I am going to try an ultrasonic method next.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		fragrant repellant
by: Anonymous


Irish Spring soap


We had a problem with ground squirrels in both my motor home and trailer. The wife read about using Irish Spring soap, needless to say after a case of Irish Spring and the passing of fall and winter we had no more signs of the little pests. My wife was amazed and "I liked it to" nice after smell.Hope this works for you
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Peppermint Oil
by: Squirrell

hello Folks, new to site but have heard of using Peppermint Oil on cottonballs, then place the ball in small open bag, I have them in different places under my rig and knock on wood, haven't had any rodent problems in over 10yrs.. and the rig smells good. its all natural so no positioning of other animals, just refresh 2-3 times a yr.
Happy Travels
SQUIRRELL
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		SIMPLE SQUIRREL DETERENT
by: Ed

drop a couple of moth balls in used medicine bottles then make a few holes in the lid. Place these in storage compartments, in cabinets, and if possible in the belly of the RV. The vapors from these will deter most pests from entering and nesting. I repair RVs and it can run into the thousands very easily when a family of rodents decide to make your RV their home. In addition while the RV is in storage hang some small mesh bags with moth balls under the RV around the edges to help keep out palmetto bugs and other rodents. Hope this helps
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		repelling squirrels
by: Anonymous

for the last 4 years i have been using 2 mole stakes when i put my rv away for winter. they work on d-cell batteries and stay on all winter. knock on wood , have never had a problem. seems these mole stakes emit high frequency sound waves that any critter does not like. simply attach underneath the coach. i usually put one in the engine compartment and the other on the rear axle. yes mothballs inside the coach contained in paper cups with nylons so it reduces spillage. works great for me.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Moth Balls
by: Anonymous

We have had great luck with mothballs for ground squirrels but they need to be fresh and stinky so they need to be replaced every few weeks. Mothballs won't work with all rodents.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Squrell RID
by: Anonymous

I have heard that moth balls work. but I also use "Poison peanuts" for moles mixture of corn, peanuts other grains mixed with Poison works great

P.S. I DO NOT have any pets.

Comment From RVing Al: A word of caution here. Whenever you use any kind of poisoned food item; you pose the risk of poisoning other animals, as well as other peoples pets. Poisoning also affects other animals that possibly feed on the poisoned animal. The same holds true for lethal animal traps. Just something to think about.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Wondering
by: Jacque

I have a dog and cat...will these products be harmful to them? If so you need to let people know that this is a possibility. Wouldn't want to hurt any unintended victims.

Note from RVing Al As I said in my answer none of the items I recommended will hurt a Cat or a Dog other than the slim chance of them getting caught in the cage trap which is a humane trap and does not hurt the animals. Fox Urine Granules is not a poison it is simply a repellent.

I hope this answered your questions.

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