Patriot 33 Report post Posted December 9, 2017 I keep my sled in a clamshell trailer during the offseason. What is the best way to keep mice out? I had some bait traps in the trailer, so the mice I got didn't survive. But I had a giant nest in the belly pan, and they also set up shop underneath the console, while chewing through a couple wires. Nothing major, easy to fix. But it is a stinky PITA. I suspect they are getting into the trailer through the slots on the floor that the tie down bars slide back and forth in. So...what do you do to keep mice out of your trailers? I really don't want to deal with this crap anymore. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
classicdmax 58 Report post Posted December 9, 2017 try to plug up holes, even if its only in the offseason to keep pests out more bait traps i pepper my machine with dryer sheets when stored, havent had an issue yet, maybe just lucky or perhaps the dryer sheets work....not sure. but i also keep it stored on a lift which may help. 1 Bilbo reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MTNBYKR 188 Report post Posted December 10, 2017 I've never had any luck keeping mice out of anything. I had moth balls in an old sock in my snowmobile one year - the mice made a nest with the sock. I had dryer sheets in my lawnmower out in the shed - the mice made a nest with the dryer sheets. I have a car that I store for the winter, and I keep bait traps on top of the engine, but every year the spark plug holes still get filled with acorns and crap. I really hate mice. The only thing I have found that works is cats. I have a large basement, and two cats, so I keep everything that will fit in my basement now. Had one mouse get in the house a few years ago in an old vintage sled that I brought inside. The cats made sure it didn't make it through the night. Anyway, good luck with your mice problems. I feel your pain... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bilbo 85 Report post Posted December 11, 2017 Mice suck ! I had a truck in my shop a while back that would not start. Out of hundreds of wires, they chewed through the one that supplies key power to the ECM. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Saluda 110 Report post Posted December 11, 2017 All I've ever used is moth balls. Sleds and Spyder, at least for close to 20 years. Never had a mouse issue. I am generous with them. Some swear by them others as said prior have no luck. I guess it's the soy used in some wiring that draws them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smallengineguy 88 Report post Posted December 11, 2017 I bought 20 mouse traps this year, and have caught over 40 mice since September. I reuse them too, just wear gloves. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old Thumper 150 Report post Posted December 12, 2017 (edited) I have had good luck with mothballs over the years. The one time I tried dryer sheets, the mouse ate it. As for traps, these plastic snap traps that Victor has now work much better than the old style wood base traps. The mouse has to stand on the trigger to reach the bait. Victor Power Kill mousetrap The second wire loop lets you release the victim and reset the trap without handling the part that was in contact with the rodent. Edited December 12, 2017 by Old Thumper Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pathfinder 97 Report post Posted December 12, 2017 I run a trap line from my basement, to my garage, to my cabin, to my storage trailer, and have never checked them when there wasn't something there. They are persistent, dumb and do immeasurable damage to air boxes, wiring, seat foam and anything else that tickles their fancy. Wished I had kept score, but I know the number would be very high. pathfinder Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AdrenalineJunky 41 Report post Posted December 12, 2017 They have beat me down. I was recently forced to sell of three of my highest ended vintage sleds before they got damaged. What I do now is on my enclosed I tape up the holes in floor with duct tape, toss in a couple bait stations. I may even toss some dryer sheets in there next time. In my car hauler I stuffed fiberglass insulation in where it looked like they could get in, put bait stations and freshcab or grandpas mouse deterrent organic packs......Traffic seems low but I bet they are still visiting. My 40' RV I sprayed the whole underneath with mouse away which is peppermint spearmint scented oil, and put fresh cab packs in several areas.....Aint seen them in there yet.....but I also don't store it in my yard all winter, it goes to a storage facility for 6 months. No way would I dare store it outside all winter..imagine the carnage they would do in a class a coach/bus. OMG Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smallengineguy 88 Report post Posted December 17, 2017 On 12/12/2017 at 3:59 PM, AdrenalineJunky said: My 40' RV I sprayed the whole underneath with mouse away which is peppermint spearmint scented oil, MMM, maybe that would be a good refreshing ride if I sprayed my sled down with that! Like riding a life saver LOL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ICG 8 Report post Posted December 30, 2017 Personally, I feed them very well, that is to say that I feed them all the rat bait that they can eat! Tom Cat rat bait boxes with rat bars and the pelletized rat bait... mice seem to think the tiny granular bait is a gourmet treat... Frito Lay puts lots of these bait boxes along the perimeter of there distribution systems... Mice traps....put them perpendicular & touching the edge of the wall .... rodents like to run along the sides of the building etc... Peanut butter on the traps works great the round ones are pretty fool proof, but you only get one use per trap...but a great last line of defense in a trailer... there are multi use traps that use bait and glue strips to catch multiple mice.... Saw one odd homeade trap...it was a 5 gallon pail.... bottom with some water...the top had a beer can smeared with peanut butter with a coat hanger through the centers...making a roller for the critters to run up the stick on the side of the pail allowing them to jump on the can to get to the bait...they fall and drown in the water / antifreeze To keep them out of cracks & crevices....stuff the hole with STEEL WOOL...it's impervious to them Sadly, it's a never ending challenge to bait and trap the nuisances! 1 Bilbo reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Patriot 33 Report post Posted February 23, 2018 On 12/9/2017 at 4:52 PM, Patriot said: I keep my sled in a clamshell trailer during the offseason. What is the best way to keep mice out? I had some bait traps in the trailer, so the mice I got didn't survive. But I had a giant nest in the belly pan, and they also set up shop underneath the console, while chewing through a couple wires. Nothing major, easy to fix. But it is a stinky PITA. I suspect they are getting into the trailer through the slots on the floor that the tie down bars slide back and forth in. So...what do you do to keep mice out of your trailers? I really don't want to deal with this crap anymore. Well, as it turns out, when I said "nothing major, easy fix", boy was I wrong. I was up in Pittsburg last week. Towards the end of the day, I kept getting an engine light, and sled would go into limp mode. After a few mins, re-start would get me several more miles. We tried a trailside repair with electrical tape on the wires behind the speedometer. But I barely made it back to a road before it died completely. We were on trail 127 I think, a few miles north of 1st Conn Lake. Thankfully we crossed Rt 3 about 5 miles from the Canadian border, which is where I stopped. The other guys kept going and came back with truck/trailer to get me. Anyway, got it to the shop, where they diagnosed the damage. Mice had chewed through the wiring harness behind the speedometer, the ignition coil, around the headlight, and the fuel sending unit wires. All said and done, it is going to cost me over $1k to fix. Sled is a 2009 Ski Doo 600 etec, so lots of electrical stuff going on. Parts alone will be over $700. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bilbo 85 Report post Posted February 24, 2018 Fukn mice! Any time you can stomp on one it's a good feeling. They ruin everything! 1 Patriot reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rivercat 119 Report post Posted February 24, 2018 I swear they put PEANUT BUTTER in ALL Electrial wiring !!! 1 Bilbo reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sno-dust 4 Report post Posted February 28, 2018 (edited) Its been a banner year for these pests.Been catching one at least every couple days all winter.Just when I think I've got them all I catch another.I stopped catching,but still heard them in wall.Maybe pb goes bad.I cleaned up a few traps and put out some more new ones with tomcat bait mix.When that slowed down I added some smoked gouda and caught 4 in 6 hours.Nothing for two weeks,I hope they are gone for now.I'm tiredof cleaning out the silverware drawer. Edited February 28, 2018 by sno-dust autocorrect 1 snorander reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Saluda 110 Report post Posted March 19, 2018 Be nice if the manufacturers addressed this problem. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bilbo 85 Report post Posted March 30, 2018 I recently heard that mice like wireing so much because the insulation is a Soy base. It sounds crazy but the little bastards eat it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Saluda 110 Report post Posted March 30, 2018 Read the same article. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jhwentworth 307 Report post Posted March 30, 2018 A couple car companies did try the soy-based wire insulation, but mice have been chewing on cables and wires for many years. Riding mowers and snowblowers from the 1970's have this problem, and nobody was using "green" wiring then. (Tecumseh snowmobile engines ignition coils seem to be a favorite hangout and dining hall for mice) There are 100 ways to eliminate the problem, and some of those ways might even work, sometimes. Bounce dryer sheets (floral scent) are sometimes suggested. Honda sells a rodent-resistant tape to put on electrical wiring. They were suspected of having the soy-based wiring so promoted the tape.The tape contains hot pepper. Of course, Amazon carries it. https://www.amazon.com/Honda-4019-2317-Rodent-Tape/dp/B00AJTG3N0 1 Bilbo reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bilbo 85 Report post Posted April 2, 2018 I wonder how they would like antifreeze?Maybe leave a cup of it in the belly pan of the sled. Can't let any pets near it . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PolarisCobra 132 Report post Posted April 2, 2018 That could work, as long as they don't die in some hiding spot, could get stinky. A You Tube search of Mouse Trap Bucket will show you how to catch and contain, seems to work well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
