Get a 5 gallon bucket. Fill it with water 1/2 full. The packers will go for the water and drown. I've lived in the desert for 60 years. The bucket works. Also if you find their nest, steal all their treasures. Sometimes you'll find something worth the look.
Before anyone digs around in a pack rat nest, know this:”Disease associations with pack rats include Chagas Disease, Lyme Disease, plague, and tularemia, and most recently a close relative of Hantavirus called “Arenavirus”. Don’t mess with their nests without taking precautions.
Mothballs work very well but they're really nasty. The best trick is to sprinkle Cayenne pepper on the engine and around the tires. They get a nose full of that and they lose interest. I've been doing it for decades in severe problem areas and I can tell you it works.
I am doing that today. We are in Quartszite now and althouh we have not had any rats inside we sure saw one prowling outside already. We have had mouse and rat issues all over az as we have a older rv full of spaces for them to get thru. It is a constant job to keep the mice at bay.
Thanks for the suggestion, I'm going to the Q for the 1st time to stay and I forgot all about this. My question tho is w/all the wind out there, wouldn't it blow away?
Out here on The Gold Coast waterways Queensland, the booties use the same system that runs underneath their duck board, which is just above the water. They turn them on at night to flash at different colours.What I’m suggesting is that your people go to a marine centre & get some that are longer & waterproof, & maybe less work to put in than you had to go to, just a suggestion. Love you channel, always very interesting,Wishing you A Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year,Elaine from Queensland, Australia. P . S. We will be floating around in our boat , catching mud crabs & fishing down on the bay in the cool .
Rodent deterrent. My uncle shared with me , at least 30 years ago now his trick. They sprinkle moth balls around the tires of their motor home and never had an issue. I've shared that with friends through the years and they were impressed and it worked for them too. I got a bod at Walmart and Dollar tree carried them last I checked. Just passing it on, might work for someone else . Be safe, stay warm. The nights here in Yuma have been pretty cool, upper 30s. Later.
Over the Summer, we brought my recently-widowed mother-in-law down from Montana to our place in Central Arizona in her 1996 35-foot Fleetwood Bounder diesel pusher motorhome. We’re parking it in the storage facility adjacent to our housing development. Sure enough, I went over to do some maintenance and saw some mouse droppings inside. Four traps set and I made “ace” with five kills in two days. A couple of more days and I had a total of seven “kills” silhouettes painted on the side of the rig! I’ll be stringing lights on it, and they won’t just be for Christmas!!!
My class A is stored, outside but covered, in Minnesota for the winter. I'm praying I won't find mouse droppings inside when I return. Put dryer sheets in the drawers as a deterrent. But I'll be thoroughly inspecting my rig when I return.
Spray peppermint oil under the hood so they do not chew the wires! Wires are now made of soybean oil so are a source of food to them and they will chew the insulation off. spray on tires too to repell at the ground contact front back and side
I watch a you tube video called Nomatic Introvert, and when she finished eating something she says, "I'm sad it's over." When Lefty finished treats I guess he was sad it's over. LOL
We tried those glue traps once...only once. One fell out of the rigs storage bin...and next day some type of bird got his wing stuck to it...I felt rotten. Never again...
You have reached a new level. Some weird things may occur along the way, yet it seems that you are riding with the Zen. Thank you for your adventures in life.
Humans vs Rats. Sounds like there are as many rats as there are RV and van dwellers in winter. They probably have a rat internet to tell their buddies when everyone with goodies arrive. I've seen your flashing lights when you step out of the rig. Glad they are working for you. 🎵 Have a holly, jolly Christmas🎄 It's the best time of the year. 🎵 I know Lefty's stocking will be overflowing.
I had a flashing rodent deterrent light under the hood of my RV for several years (after two $1,000 repair bills for chewed engine wires and engine compartment insulation replacement). The pack rats got used to it and one of them chewed through the wires. I now set a large pan of mothballs under the engine as well as several plastic containers (with multiple holes drilled in them) filled with mothballs in the engine compartment. Had no issues since.
I too installed blinking LED lights under my vehicle with a on/off switch inside to keep rodents away. Differently, I added a Dusk to Dawn Photocell Switch inline so that I do not forget to turn them on/off at dusk or sleep past dawn. That said, the inside on/off switch is so that the lights do not come on when I am at the mall. I too have not had any rodent evidence in the year the lights have been installed, fingers crossed. Thanks for sharing.
@@TheCampulanceMan With a Dusk to Dawn Photocell Switch, you install it and forget it. No need to change the timer every season, time zone, or daylight savings. Or even accidentally forgetting it's still on, which you might not notice during daylight.
@@jatorresrv You've got a niftier setup than me :))) Can you point me to the switch you used? TH-cam blocked your reply with the Amazon link, but I got it from the email notification before they removed it. Thanks for sending me that - I never thought of using one of those switches, so thank you!
TH-cam blocked your reply with the Amazon link, but I got it from the email notification before they removed it. Thanks for sending me that - I never thought of using one of those switches, so thank you!
I was in a Walmart today and they have some mini kitchen appliances (including a single slot toaster) for $9.88 and some other things that look promising for lower end power stations. I think all of them run under 500watts. So if you just wanted one side of a bagel or one piece of bread toasted it doesn't run 900 , 1000 watts for 1 slice. like a typical 2 slice toast will even if there is just one slice in there.. (it's similar to the stuff that Dash has out but looks mostly marketed by Walmart).
Thanks for explaining the flashing lights I have always wondered what they were for. It's actually pretty genius everything you do with that rig is amazing.
Another thing, keep the hood to the engine open and use some type of lighting. I myself use solar ones from harbor freight. That'll help keep the critters out.
This is good information. I heard about the Chrome plated metal around the wheels but did not know about flashing lights. Thank you and happy holidays to ya'll.
Lived 30 years in Phoenix Valley. Had desert "pack rats" (look almost like a kangaroo rat, with a slightly fluffy tip on the tail. Actually quite cute.) that live under cactus, garage, shed and house. Lived in the grill and chewed thousands of dollars worth of wires in the house, truck and pool equipment. Do NOT use sticky boards that are meant for ants scorpions and cockroaches outdoors. You will catch birds, and wonderful lizards who can run off with the sticky board and die later. Vegetable oil will remove a lizard from a sticky board if that arises. We bought the battery operated pegs you put underground for moles. They beep. Between that and a bright light, we never had another problem under our truck or our travel trailer ever again. If this was your home, the only way to get rid of them is to eliminate where they burrow and make their nest. They multiply quickly and always return to the same nests for generations. Clove oil, peppermint, cinnamon will also work if sprayed underneath and around your camper. We even did it on our tires. We also had roof rats. When we lived in Paradise Valley. We used the bucket of water system with a ramp for the rats to climb up that had a flap so when the rat went to get the bait they fell into the water. Bated the lid with peanut butter and seeds. Maybe the next time you're in Arizona you can implement these ideas.
We haven't had any issues since installing the LED lights under the truck. There aren't even any tracks from them coming near - other people's campers have tracks all around them :/
@@TheCampulanceManGlad the lights help!! We didn't have any issues for a long time when on an acre of desert property near Camelback mountain. Then a gardener killed the huge gopher snake we had in the yard - thinking it was a diamondback. 🤦🏼♀️ That's when the mouse/rat invasion began. Couldn't find more snakes to bring into the yard. We've now moved so not an issue except when traveling there.
I'm a retired miner and have had a lot of experience with this matter. Get your self a 5 gal. bucket or two. A welding rod and a coke or beer can. Drill a hole thru the rim of the bucket on opposite sides. Now drill a hole thru the can, top and bottom. Run the welding rod thru the hole on one side of the bucket and thru the can, back thru the whole on the opposite side. Your can should spin on the rod. Lightly flatten one side of the can you only will need a little bit of peanut butter so just a crinckle. Now you need a small piece of 2x4 or whatever to serve as a ramp. The rat will run up the ramp, jump on the can to get to the peanut butter, the can will spin and the rat will fall into the water in the bucket. Should be a little over half full. Rats can't swim. I've literally had 6 in the bucket at night. You can set one on each corner. Bury rats in the desert to deter any dogs from catching the Hanta virus. Happy hunting.
@@TheCampulanceMan Put one on each side of your camper. You'll be amazed. If you don't like squealing in your sleep, put far enough away. 4 buckets one night up by Kingman netted 21 drowned rats. Best rat trap around. Good luck! Happy new year.
PUT black pepper, restaurant style, liberally around all tires, inside your cabinets, under your vehicles and any place you do not want rate, mice and snakes to go. PUT a ring around your camp too! We had a problem last year so I asked my sister what they used when she worked for the pest control company. She told us that black pepper and mint oil work the best and it's non toxic to pets. I did use it liberally in a ring around camp and in any crawl space of their size and heavily under the Jeep and never saw another one
Wood rats (pack rats) are a problem where I live in the Central Oregon desert too. Make sure you open the hood of your vehicle! They will not build a nest if you do. Always check over your rig before driving as the nests will catch fire. Likely the cause of the RV fire in Quartzsite 12/20. Dogs can do severe damage to your vehicle wiring attempting to catch rats, so keep an eye on them!
David, it just so happens that I also have a rodent under my hood! Just found his , what he thin as is “ FOREVER HOME! “. I have been using a bottle of Rodent repel spray from Walmart. It is safe around all pets and children. Mostly herb oils…it was working just fine, then I got complacent and have renewed the spray under the hood lately! I will be back at it tomorrow! As for now, my hood is up…they do not like the hoods up! Too bad! We have Wood Rats herein Northeast Ga. Take care David!
Sharks use undersea cables to “floss” their pearly whites, which eventually destroyed the cables! Now, the manufacturers mix a nasty-tasting material into the sheathing.
@@mitchweber7868 check out some of the utube clips of mice plagues of Australia/NSW. They were stripping whole cars, eating houses and raining mice when stripping wheat crops. It was really wild!
Thank you for scratching that itch in my brain. I had unfortunately missed the video where you installed the flashing lights. Though I pretty much assumed that they were probably for small varment protection. Great idea. I saw on another channel where there was an RV fire in Quartzite. I was relieved to hear nobody was injured and that it wasn’t the Campulance. You and Lefty have a very merry Christmas.
Thanks for the explanation about your flashing lights, maybe Jeff should get some for his jeep and rig to keep the vermin away? I have visions of a rat hopping along with a glue trap stuck to his foot. Hope you and Lefty have a good Christmas.
Can you not use glue traps? They are cruel and not necessary! Just get the traps that kill them outright please. It is humane at least. Just a heads up.
@@elizabethapfelbaum1240 Yes, he did go purchase the large snap traps. The glue traps were all that we had on hand that first day but he's now switched to the snap traps. I don't enjoy any of it, but it becomes a necessity out here :/
Excellent video, thank you. The lights are a good idea a lot better than mine I put LED lights under my hood every night and then charge them up during the day it's kind of a bothersome routine. Thanks for explaining things and making it easier for other people. Wishing you and Lefty well.
First time viewer.. great content.. ty. I absolutely love your dog Lefty, reminds me of my dog Xena who passed away a few years ago. I too own 3 boxers.. life is so much better with fur kids. Wishing you both a Merry Christmas.
I just seen a short. About porcupine eating wires in cars at trail head parking lots. So there's rolls of chicken wire left wo wrap around the bottom of your vehicle like a skirt.. using rock to hold down & sticks to keep up.. keeping them out while you hike or camp
They hate the smell of Peppermint oil (Essential oil). I have soaked cotton balls with Peppermint oil to keep them away from outdoor water heater, sheds, etc. Just make sure Lefty doesn't eat the cotton balls.🐾🐕
Very cool idea indeed with the lighting. I too have had issues with uninvited guest usually around a water source. This season ive been experimenting with Cinnamon and have had seemingly good results. However, these types of things are messy, smell good, but messy. I am going to wire a lighting system as my next project. Currently examining ways to alleviate the dreaded "Tick" from my heater pump. I have a plan 👌. Stay safe
Hi David. Thanks so much for this video. What is the charging time for your power station? Also do you have a house battery system in addition to the power station? I love the lights under the rig, I personally feel prevention is better a cure. Rodents carry so many diseases, even if you trap and get rid of them you still have to deep clean everything. Mostly because you don’t know for sure where they crawled around on. I am heading down to Q soon and it will be my first time doing any camping in my van. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year ❤
We used to go to a place out there just 25 miles north of Yuma it is called imperial damn and we always stayed up around the ranger station so the same people came here after year and everything was great to see if you could leave stuff out nobody would touch anything we made some great friends out there. It’s Ben 10 years since I’ve been there but some of my friends are still there you may want to check it out the area is called Senator wash NearThe imperial dam
I've lived in the Arizona desert 30 miles north of tucson for 35 years. Every scheme to deter rodents is doomed to failure. Lights, ultrasonic, moth balls, chemical and scent preps, etc eventually quit working since rats adapt. Problem is they work initially so you think you have success only to find out a number of months later that they've eaten the wiring under your hood or any similar damage you can imagine. Like it or not constant diligence will be required to live with these useless species. There is no easy answer (I tried them all). But one of the best moves I've made was to clear out all unnecessary brush, and especially prickly pear cactus, from the fenced half acre my house sits on. These provide stepping stones to getting around your property. And the side benefit of at least cutting down the rats is that you also cut down visits by rattlesnakes. One last note, mouse traps are generally effective, both the old school mechanical and newer zap traps work well.
Other full time campers leave on lights under their rigs. Don’t have to be bright. Some use strings of lights and some have solar ones they angle under the rig. They say they work.
And a very merry Christmas to you and lefty. Many times in my life I've been called a pack rat. Myself and my border collie Freya say a big shout out to you And lefty coming at you from the hills of Southern Oregon
Walkway LED lights self charging are great for what y'all looking for take it apart lay it on a piece of cardboard turned upside down and you got a real bright light I always keep six of them with me keep around my little van when I'm traveling so I don't have that problem with the roads
I'm going to stay in my van for the 1st time this year in about a week, it looks like someone also suggested peppermint oil...I'm going to look into that further cuz I cannot afford to buy these...but thanks for the suggestion, maybe I'll use it in the future.
My backyard here in Arizona looks the same as where you are at..... The little bastards got up into my Ram engine compartment and had a field day. ..... That is where you want to pay the most attention so try this as a local told me this..... In a spray jug mix 50% water to 50% white vinegar add a tablespoon or so per 1/2 gal. and shake well..... Spray enough to get all wiring and insulation wet..... It dries real quick. I repeat about every four months and as another safety precaution open your hood at night about a foot and it now stops them from having a nice warm fuzzy place to hang out. Works for me, hope it does for you
Squirrels eat my wires 2 to 3 times a year. $600-$1000 every time. They just got me. I have a ultra sonic sound bar under my hood that I guess doesn’t work! Lol. I’ve also tried Irish Spring, peppermint and fabric softener. None have worked but the fabric softener has stopped them from entering my glove box. I’m gonna have to try something like your set up. Thanks for sharing! Give Lefty a treat for me. Be safe and hope the critters leave you guys alone!
We are have a really severe and unusual winter right now,just like the one maybe 8 yrs ago,.We has mice scraping the walls into the house and they got into my Toyota venza.thhes striops would be great to put under the house and my cars .
Glue traps are inhumane & can kill other animals. I've seen a hawk with his beak stuck to his chest by these traps & eventually died. People don't realize what other animals glue traps can kill. Use something more humane that don't starve them to death & can't harm other animals.
Besides, the rats live and belong there as part of Nature. As their guests temporarily visiting their area, it's sort of wrong to invade and kill the natives (even though that's a national tradition) just because you're squeamish being around them, or feel superior. Deterring them from chewing up your stuff, while letting them continue doing their desert rat business, like David does with the lights, is much better.
This is really good information, thank you!! Saving this video for later instruction.👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 PS just bought the Bouge RV and suitcase panels myself… LOVE it!
I have a bell and Howell sonar noise plug in. I'm new to this area but I was told this was bought because they woke up to the giant rats. They said it worked for them, this is my first winter here.
I'm not going to say I know, but I am going to say that the people selling me this rig woke up to the giant rats right next to their bed and bought these devices. They never had a return. I moved in here in the summer (not the same I know), but now it's winter and I have the dog food and water, etc, and haven't seen any rats. Your fight is your choice, but this one seems to have been settled for me. Good luck.
@@robynconley6716 at least they are working for you with the rats but I’ve had them in place in several areas and I continue to have the common mouse defy their presence and have had to use other methods. I hope they continue to work for you but my fight continues Take care robyn
I didn't see any other comments but when I toured the General Cable plant in Kentucky, I learned that cable/wire manufactures use peanut oil to lubricate the cable as they sleeve it t0 the specification of the purpose. That's why they are so drawn to it. SR
Open the Jeep hood so the rats don’t make a nest and chew wires. Also saw on TH-cam to get rid of rats. Mix cornmeal and baking soda in a plastic container with a hole in one end so they can eat it. Rats can’t burp or fart and they explode and die.
Glue traps are cruel for mice and useless with rats. Baking soda mixed with sugar then added to flour is best painless killer and will not adversely effect the raptors that might get the rat. They go off seeking water. Put out containers (cans or cut off water bottles) several feet from your set up, do not put inside and attract them in!
Well, we knew there was a disco ball somewhere just out of sight! Actually, knowing you, I just assumed there was a purpose. The woodchuck prevention angle was out of my sphere of possibility as to just what was the utility of the flash… Thanks for the explanation….
Cinnamon Sticks or powdered, mint, peppermint and strong smelling citrus rinds such as orange peels might also work for a deterrent also gets rid of bugs.
Hi Dave, Glad to see you in some warmer weather for a change. Lefty could keep those mice away from Jeff's rig the way he was going after his jeep. Did one of those critters get up in his dash? I saw the news about the fire at Quartzite and glad it wasn't you. I hope you and Lefty have a wonderful Christmas and get many useful gifts. As always stay safe and looking forward to more vids. I sent you some surprises and hope you got them. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
Merry Christmas to you and thank you for sending us gifts. We've been picking up mail every few days and I'll get the camera turned on when we open them up :)))
Get a 5 gallon bucket. Fill it with water 1/2 full. The packers will go for the water and drown. I've lived in the desert for 60 years. The bucket works. Also if you find their nest, steal all their treasures. Sometimes you'll find something worth the look.
Before anyone digs around in a pack rat nest, know this:”Disease associations with pack rats include Chagas Disease, Lyme Disease, plague, and tularemia, and most recently a close relative of Hantavirus called “Arenavirus”. Don’t mess with their nests without taking precautions.
No shit Dick Tracy! Gear up with PPE'S. Don't dig anywhere without your PPE'S! Respirator not dust musk.
Mothballs work very well but they're really nasty. The best trick is to sprinkle Cayenne pepper on the engine and around the tires. They get a nose full of that and they lose interest. I've been doing it for decades in severe problem areas and I can tell you it works.
I am doing that today. We are in Quartszite now and althouh we have not had any rats inside we sure saw one prowling outside already. We have had mouse and rat issues all over az as we have a older rv full of spaces for them to get thru. It is a constant job to keep the mice at bay.
Mothballs dissolve to quickly.
Thanks for the suggestion, I'm going to the Q for the 1st time to stay and I forgot all about this. My question tho is w/all the wind out there, wouldn't it blow away?
What is a severe problem area?
Out here on The Gold Coast waterways Queensland, the booties use the same system that runs underneath their duck board, which is just above the water. They turn them on at night to flash at different colours.What I’m suggesting is that your people go to a marine centre & get some that are longer & waterproof, & maybe less work to put in than you had to go to, just a suggestion. Love you channel, always very interesting,Wishing you A Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year,Elaine from Queensland, Australia. P . S. We will be floating around in our boat , catching mud crabs & fishing down on the bay in the cool .
Rodent deterrent. My uncle shared with me , at least 30 years ago now his trick. They sprinkle moth balls around the tires of their motor home and never had an issue. I've shared that with friends through the years and they were impressed and it worked for them too. I got a bod at Walmart and Dollar tree carried them last I checked.
Just passing it on, might work for someone else . Be safe, stay warm. The nights here in Yuma have been pretty cool, upper 30s. Later.
I have an unknown critter recently dug under my mobile home skirting for the winter so I will try this!
Thanks for sharing...I will use that also... take care
They are very toxic. I do not think it is at all healthy to have you or your pets breathing in the fumes or touching them. ☠️
I love that idea and then you don't hurt the animals that's wonderful
Only use where your pets can’t get them
Over the Summer, we brought my recently-widowed mother-in-law down from Montana to our place in Central Arizona in her 1996 35-foot Fleetwood Bounder diesel pusher motorhome. We’re parking it in the storage facility adjacent to our housing development.
Sure enough, I went over to do some maintenance and saw some mouse droppings inside. Four traps set and I made “ace” with five kills in two days. A couple of more days and I had a total of seven “kills” silhouettes painted on the side of the rig! I’ll be stringing lights on it, and they won’t just be for Christmas!!!
Good work!!! I did that in CO under the hood... 7 in about an hour! We're both aces !!!
My class A is stored, outside but covered, in Minnesota for the winter. I'm praying I won't find mouse droppings inside when I return. Put dryer sheets in the drawers as a deterrent. But I'll be thoroughly inspecting my rig when I return.
Spray peppermint oil under the hood so they do not chew the wires! Wires are now made of soybean oil so are a source of food to them and they will chew the insulation off. spray on tires too to repell at the ground contact front back and side
Shawn the rat youtuber debunked that
Merry Christmas and a blessed 2023!!
I watch a you tube video called Nomatic Introvert, and when she finished eating something she says, "I'm sad it's over." When Lefty finished treats I guess he was sad it's over. LOL
We tried those glue traps once...only once. One fell out of the rigs storage bin...and next day some type of bird got his wing stuck to it...I felt rotten. Never again...
So glad to hear, they are very cruel
I really appreciate the info on anti-critter lighting...so useful!
Just got a second BougeRV 1100w powerstation...50% off..$599...great deal!
Great video also,!!
You have reached a new level. Some weird things may occur along the way, yet it seems that you are riding with the Zen. Thank you for your adventures in life.
Humans vs Rats. Sounds like there are as many rats as there are RV and van dwellers in winter. They probably have a rat internet to tell their buddies when everyone with goodies arrive. I've seen your flashing lights when you step out of the rig. Glad they are working for you. 🎵 Have a holly, jolly Christmas🎄 It's the best time of the year. 🎵 I know Lefty's stocking will be overflowing.
I had a flashing rodent deterrent light under the hood of my RV for several years (after two $1,000 repair bills for chewed engine wires and engine compartment insulation replacement). The pack rats got used to it and one of them chewed through the wires. I now set a large pan of mothballs under the engine as well as several plastic containers (with multiple holes drilled in them) filled with mothballs in the engine compartment. Had no issues since.
I've thought about what you experienced... complacency from familiarity. It'd be back to the drawing board at that point :/
I too installed blinking LED lights under my vehicle with a on/off switch inside to keep rodents away. Differently, I added a Dusk to Dawn Photocell Switch inline so that I do not forget to turn them on/off at dusk or sleep past dawn. That said, the inside on/off switch is so that the lights do not come on when I am at the mall. I too have not had any rodent evidence in the year the lights have been installed, fingers crossed. Thanks for sharing.
My app has a timer function so it will turn them on and off at times I can set.
@@TheCampulanceMan With a Dusk to Dawn Photocell Switch, you install it and forget it. No need to change the timer every season, time zone, or daylight savings. Or even accidentally forgetting it's still on, which you might not notice during daylight.
@@jatorresrv You've got a niftier setup than me :))) Can you point me to the switch you used?
TH-cam blocked your reply with the Amazon link, but I got it from the email notification before they removed it. Thanks for sending me that - I never thought of using one of those switches, so thank you!
TH-cam blocked your reply with the Amazon link, but I got it from the email notification before they removed it. Thanks for sending me that - I never thought of using one of those switches, so thank you!
I was in a Walmart today and they have some mini kitchen appliances (including a single slot toaster) for $9.88 and some other things that look promising for lower end power stations. I think all of them run under 500watts. So if you just wanted one side of a bagel or one piece of bread toasted it doesn't run 900 , 1000 watts for 1 slice. like a typical 2 slice toast will even if there is just one slice in there.. (it's similar to the stuff that Dash has out but looks mostly marketed by Walmart).
Wasn’t the toaster cute lol. I would never eat just one.
Blessings always for you, lefty and family.
Thank you Elaine. Be well and enjoy your holidays.
Ret. EMS. THANKS for info on packrat. Love the heavy-duty rig! Must feel right at home!😁😁😁
I like when EMS personnel watch us!!! Thanks :)
Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas, David and Lefty!! 🎄🎄
Spray a peppermint oil solution mist on tires, frame and under the hood.
Thanks for explaining the flashing lights I have always wondered what they were for. It's actually pretty genius everything you do with that rig is amazing.
Another thing, keep the hood to the engine open and use some type of lighting. I myself use solar ones from harbor freight. That'll help keep the critters out.
This is good information. I heard about the Chrome plated metal around the wheels but did not know about flashing lights. Thank you and happy holidays to ya'll.
Lefty is such a hunter for intruders and for nice treats that come in the mail 🤗👍
He's always on guard... for both!
Being a terrier, it’s in his DNA to “terrierize” rodents!
Trained my dog plus I have a cat. We also use fire pit ash under the camper with a line of solar lights. So far so good
Lived 30 years in Phoenix Valley. Had desert "pack rats" (look almost like a kangaroo rat, with a slightly fluffy tip on the tail. Actually quite cute.) that live under cactus, garage, shed and house. Lived in the grill and chewed thousands of dollars worth of wires in the house, truck and pool equipment. Do NOT use sticky boards that are meant for ants scorpions and cockroaches outdoors. You will catch birds, and wonderful lizards who can run off with the sticky board and die later. Vegetable oil will remove a lizard from a sticky board if that arises. We bought the battery operated pegs you put underground for moles. They beep. Between that and a bright light, we never had another problem under our truck or our travel trailer ever again. If this was your home, the only way to get rid of them is to eliminate where they burrow and make their nest. They multiply quickly and always return to the same nests for generations. Clove oil, peppermint, cinnamon will also work if sprayed underneath and around your camper. We even did it on our tires. We also had roof rats. When we lived in Paradise Valley. We used the bucket of water system with a ramp for the rats to climb up that had a flap so when the rat went to get the bait they fell into the water. Bated the lid with peanut butter and seeds. Maybe the next time you're in Arizona you can implement these ideas.
We haven't had any issues since installing the LED lights under the truck. There aren't even any tracks from them coming near - other people's campers have tracks all around them :/
@@TheCampulanceManGlad the lights help!! We didn't have any issues for a long time when on an acre of desert property near Camelback mountain. Then a gardener killed the huge gopher snake we had in the yard - thinking it was a diamondback. 🤦🏼♀️ That's when the mouse/rat invasion began. Couldn't find more snakes to bring into the yard. We've now moved so not an issue except when traveling there.
Put water couple hundred feet away Might keep em from looking in the rig. Try that.
Just joined your channel,wishing you and Lefty a "Merry Christmas".I'm a dog lover, and Lefty touched my heart.Safe travels...
Thank you Debbie for for being with us. Merry Christmas :)
I'm a retired miner and have had a lot of experience with this matter. Get your self a 5 gal. bucket or two. A welding rod and a coke or beer can. Drill a hole thru the rim of the bucket on opposite sides. Now drill a hole thru the can, top and bottom. Run the welding rod thru the hole on one side of the bucket and thru the can, back thru the whole on the opposite side. Your can should spin on the rod. Lightly flatten one side of the can you only will need a little bit of peanut butter so just a crinckle. Now you need a small piece of 2x4 or whatever to serve as a ramp. The rat will run up the ramp, jump on the can to get to the peanut butter, the can will spin and the rat will fall into the water in the bucket. Should be a little over half full. Rats can't swim. I've literally had 6 in the bucket at night. You can set one on each corner. Bury rats in the desert to deter any dogs from catching the Hanta virus. Happy hunting.
That's got my tinkering bug fired up now that you explained the easy construction. Thanks... one more thing added to my to-do list :)))
@@TheCampulanceMan Put one on each side of your camper. You'll be amazed. If you don't like squealing in your sleep, put far enough away. 4 buckets one night up by Kingman netted 21 drowned rats. Best rat trap around. Good luck! Happy new year.
Yes, this works, but water is hard to come by and I hate to waste that much water. Plus I don’t have room for buckets.
PUT black pepper, restaurant style, liberally around all tires, inside your cabinets, under your vehicles and any place you do not want rate, mice and snakes to go. PUT a ring around your camp too! We had a problem last year so I asked my sister what they used when she worked for the pest control company. She told us that black pepper and mint oil work the best and it's non toxic to pets. I did use it liberally in a ring around camp and in any crawl space of their size and heavily under the Jeep and never saw another one
Moth balls are very toxic to cats and dogs also, even children.
That looks so nice for a set up for having power!
Wood rats (pack rats) are a problem where I live in the Central Oregon desert too. Make sure you open the hood of your vehicle! They will not build a nest if you do. Always check over your rig before driving as the nests will catch fire. Likely the cause of the RV fire in Quartzsite 12/20. Dogs can do severe damage to your vehicle wiring attempting to catch rats, so keep an eye on them!
Thanks for that opening the Hood. I'm a full time rvr and I see that alot but didn't know what it was for. I just thought it was for a trickle charge.
As in leave the hood open the whole time you’re parked, or just occasionally?
David, it just so happens that I also have a rodent under my hood! Just found his , what he thin as is “ FOREVER HOME! “. I have been using a bottle of Rodent repel spray from Walmart. It is safe around all pets and children. Mostly herb oils…it was working just fine, then I got complacent and have renewed the spray under the hood lately! I will be back at it tomorrow! As for now, my hood is up…they do not like the hoods up! Too bad! We have Wood Rats herein Northeast Ga. Take care David!
Syracuse NY here.....where from? Leftie is a doll and being a foster for rescue dogs, I love that you rescued him. 👍🐾
We're from Rochester :)
Maybe Jeff could get the solar lights like you originally had. But, don't run over them. Ha! Enjoyed the video. Thanks Dave and kisses to Lefty :)
Watch out, they will eat your wiring! Rats are known to eat anything but particularly like the insulation around wiring.
I've heard they do that because the coating on the wire is made with a type of vegetable oil.
@@troyalger1603 that's wild I've never heard that before if it's true, either way mice are just kinda dumb they'll eat everything right
Sharks use undersea cables to “floss” their pearly whites, which eventually destroyed the cables! Now, the manufacturers mix a nasty-tasting material into the sheathing.
@@jimmanley2796 that is definitely my, 'I learnt something new today' item!
@@mitchweber7868 check out some of the utube clips of mice plagues of Australia/NSW. They were stripping whole cars, eating houses and raining mice when stripping wheat crops. It was really wild!
My head is spinning from listening to the LED set-up.
Thank you for scratching that itch in my brain. I had unfortunately missed the video where you installed the flashing lights. Though I pretty much assumed that they were probably for small varment protection. Great idea. I saw on another channel where there was an RV fire in Quartzite. I was relieved to hear nobody was injured and that it wasn’t the Campulance. You and Lefty have a very merry Christmas.
Thanks Rick :)
Thanks for the explanation about your flashing lights, maybe Jeff should get some for his jeep and rig to keep the vermin away? I have visions of a rat hopping along with a glue trap stuck to his foot.
Hope you and Lefty have a good Christmas.
We're still looking for it!
Can you not use glue traps? They are cruel and not necessary! Just get the traps that kill them outright please. It is humane at least. Just a heads up.
@@elizabethapfelbaum1240 Yes, he did go purchase the large snap traps. The glue traps were all that we had on hand that first day but he's now switched to the snap traps. I don't enjoy any of it, but it becomes a necessity out here :/
@@TheCampulanceMan Oh good! I wouldn’t enjoy it either, tough job. Thank you for answering. Happy Holidays!
Excellent video, thank you. The lights are a good idea a lot better than mine I put LED lights under my hood every night and then charge them up during the day it's kind of a bothersome routine. Thanks for explaining things and making it easier for other people. Wishing you and Lefty well.
First time viewer.. great content.. ty. I absolutely love your dog Lefty, reminds me of my dog Xena who passed away a few years ago. I too own 3 boxers.. life is so much better with fur kids. Wishing you both a Merry Christmas.
Thank you for being with us :) Lefty fills my days every day!
The pack rats are quite large, will carry things many times their size and I had them on my ranch and they are quite a nuisance
“These are the treats i’m looking for,” said Lefty the Jedi master.
I just seen a short. About porcupine eating wires in cars at trail head parking lots. So there's rolls of chicken wire left wo wrap around the bottom of your vehicle like a skirt.. using rock to hold down & sticks to keep up.. keeping them out while you hike or camp
Cayenne pepper powder works too. You can get a big jug of it on Amazon. Sprinkle the entire perimeter of your vehicle.
They hate the smell of Peppermint oil (Essential oil). I have soaked cotton balls with Peppermint oil to keep them away from outdoor water heater, sheds, etc. Just make sure Lefty doesn't eat the cotton balls.🐾🐕
I'm out on plomosa near bouse, no rats out here. Too many people in Quartzsite throwing trash everywhere.
Lefty is a very captivating pooch, just loved him! And thanks forre all you're info*
Very cool idea indeed with the lighting. I too have had issues with uninvited guest usually around a water source. This season ive been experimenting with Cinnamon and have had seemingly good results. However, these types of things are messy, smell good, but messy. I am going to wire a lighting system as my next project. Currently examining ways to alleviate the dreaded "Tick" from my heater pump. I have a plan 👌. Stay safe
Hi David. Thanks so much for this video. What is the charging time for your power station? Also do you have a house battery system in addition to the power station?
I love the lights under the rig, I personally feel prevention is better a cure. Rodents carry so many diseases, even if you trap and get rid of them you still have to deep clean everything. Mostly because you don’t know for sure where they crawled around on.
I am heading down to Q soon and it will be my first time doing any camping in my van.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year ❤
We used to go to a place out there just 25 miles north of Yuma it is called imperial damn and we always stayed up around the ranger station so the same people came here after year and everything was great to see if you could leave stuff out nobody would touch anything we made some great friends out there. It’s Ben 10 years since I’ve been there but some of my friends are still there you may want to check it out the area is called Senator wash NearThe imperial dam
I've lived in the Arizona desert 30 miles north of tucson for 35 years. Every scheme to deter rodents is doomed to failure. Lights, ultrasonic, moth balls, chemical and scent preps, etc eventually quit working since rats adapt. Problem is they work initially so you think you have success only to find out a number of months later that they've eaten the wiring under your hood or any similar damage you can imagine. Like it or not constant diligence will be required to live with these useless species. There is no easy answer (I tried them all). But one of the best moves I've made was to clear out all unnecessary brush, and especially prickly pear cactus, from the fenced half acre my house sits on. These provide stepping stones to getting around your property. And the side benefit of at least cutting down the rats is that you also cut down visits by rattlesnakes. One last note, mouse traps are generally effective, both the old school mechanical and newer zap traps work well.
Merry Christmas to you and Lefty!! ❤️
To you too !!!
Other full time campers leave on lights under their rigs. Don’t have to be bright. Some use strings of lights and some have solar ones they angle under the rig. They say they work.
spray bear spray in the areas of importance include engine compartmen, wheel wells, under dash and all storage compartments.
And a very merry Christmas to you and lefty. Many times in my life I've been called a pack rat. Myself and my border collie Freya say a big shout out to you And lefty coming at you from the hills of Southern Oregon
Lefty says merry Christmas to Freya and to you :)
Walkway LED lights self charging are great for what y'all looking for take it apart lay it on a piece of cardboard turned upside down and you got a real bright light I always keep six of them with me keep around my little van when I'm traveling so I don't have that problem with the roads
Great idea! And easy :)
I'm going to stay in my van for the 1st time this year in about a week, it looks like someone also suggested peppermint oil...I'm going to look into that further cuz I cannot afford to buy these...but thanks for the suggestion, maybe I'll use it in the future.
My backyard here in Arizona looks the same as where you are at..... The little bastards got up into my Ram engine compartment and had a field day. ..... That is where you want to pay the most attention so try this as a local told me this..... In a spray jug mix 50% water to 50% white vinegar add a tablespoon or so per 1/2 gal. and shake well..... Spray enough to get all wiring and insulation wet..... It dries real quick.
I repeat about every four months and as another safety precaution open your hood at night about a foot and it now stops them from having a nice warm fuzzy place to hang out.
Works for me, hope it does for you
I had always thought those lights were for locating the rig when you wandered off on a walkie at night
Merry Christmas to Dave and Lefty.
Prospectors RV Park in Lake Havasu City had rats too.
Irish Spring soap deters rodents are used to around the house to determine meadow mice
Enjoyed your video we use solar sound beeper but they just herd them to a new location about 30ft.
We haven't had any trouble since installing the lights - so far... so good :)
Lol. Seen the title and thought it was about some of the " residents " of passer throughs😂😂😂
Squirrels eat my wires 2 to 3 times a year. $600-$1000 every time. They just got me. I have a ultra sonic sound bar under my hood that I guess doesn’t work! Lol. I’ve also tried Irish Spring, peppermint and fabric softener. None have worked but the fabric softener has stopped them from entering my glove box. I’m gonna have to try something like your set up. Thanks for sharing! Give Lefty a treat for me. Be safe and hope the critters leave you guys alone!
I tried all the ways you mentioned but nothing worked until I installed the lights.
Peppermint oil. You can order a gallon of it from walmart. Spray bottle. They hate peppermint.
We are have a really severe and unusual winter right now,just like the one maybe 8 yrs ago,.We has mice scraping the walls into the house and they got into my Toyota venza.thhes striops would be great to put under the house and my cars .
I put a few mothballs in an open jar (no lid) and put in on top of cold engine and prop the hood open slightly and they stay away
Glue traps are inhumane & can kill other animals. I've seen a hawk with his beak stuck to his chest by these traps & eventually died. People don't realize what other animals glue traps can kill. Use something more humane that don't starve them to death & can't harm other animals.
Besides, the rats live and belong there as part of Nature. As their guests temporarily visiting their area, it's sort of wrong to invade and kill the natives (even though that's a national tradition) just because you're squeamish being around them, or feel superior. Deterring them from chewing up your stuff, while letting them continue doing their desert rat business, like David does with the lights, is much better.
This is really good information, thank you!! Saving this video for later instruction.👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
PS just bought the Bouge RV and suitcase panels myself… LOVE it!
I have a bell and Howell sonar noise plug in. I'm new to this area but I was told this was bought because they woke up to the giant rats. They said it worked for them, this is my first winter here.
I haven't seen those in use but it's another tool to use. I hope it works for you :)
I have not had any luck with the bell & Howell sonar system. I put it in my pantry and I swear it attracted them.
I'm not going to say I know, but I am going to say that the people selling me this rig woke up to the giant rats right next to their bed and bought these devices. They never had a return. I moved in here in the summer (not the same I know), but now it's winter and I have the dog food and water, etc, and haven't seen any rats. Your fight is your choice, but this one seems to have been settled for me. Good luck.
@@robynconley6716 at least they are working for you with the rats but I’ve had them in place in several areas and I continue to have the common mouse defy their presence and have had to use other methods. I hope they continue to work for you but my fight continues
Take care robyn
@@1982MCI I always wonder how you know if they're making any noise... like a dog whistle. You can't hear them :)
Lefty needs his own TH-cam channel. The life of a nomad dog
This is Lefty's channel. Dave is just along for the transportation.
Those flashing LED lights are Supervisor approved !
Lefty is so sweet awww hestrying to help awwwwww
I didn't see any other comments but when I toured the General Cable plant in Kentucky, I learned that cable/wire manufactures use peanut oil to lubricate the cable as they sleeve it t0 the specification of the purpose. That's why they are so drawn to it.
SR
Interesting, I'd not heard that before.
BougeRV Power Station Awesome
You and lefty have a Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 and safe New year ...🙏🙏🙏
Open the Jeep hood so the rats don’t make a nest and chew wires. Also saw on TH-cam to get rid of rats. Mix cornmeal and baking soda in a plastic container with a hole in one end so they can eat it. Rats can’t burp or fart and they explode and die.
🎄Merry Christmas David, Lefty & family.❤️🙏🏼👍🏼👍🏼✌🏼❤️🐶🐶
After you said “they chewed into the water bottle and drank it all “ I dropped out. I already knew this was too long.
Lefty is so smart.
Merry Christmas to all!
Thank you, great job helping in many ways. Happy Holidays All. Greg snd Cody my manx cat
Glue traps are cruel for mice and useless with rats. Baking soda mixed with sugar then added to flour is best painless killer and will not adversely effect the raptors that might get the rat. They go off seeking water. Put out containers (cans or cut off water bottles) several feet from your set up, do not put inside and attract them in!
Nice van/ambulance !
OMG Lefty is so cute!
Kisses to Lefty! He's so darn cute!❤
Merry Christmas
Ahhhh “Chicken Jerky Treats”? My boy Ko loves those!
Wyrd and I will be leaving Tacoma on the 9th headed to Q. Maybe we will run into you and Lefty!
Well, we knew there was a disco ball somewhere just out of sight! Actually, knowing you, I just assumed there was a purpose. The woodchuck prevention angle was out of my sphere of possibility as to just what was the utility of the flash… Thanks for the explanation….
When I sync them to the music, then things really get flashy! :)
Cinnamon Sticks or powdered, mint, peppermint and strong smelling citrus rinds such as orange peels might also work for a deterrent also gets rid of bugs.
I use Grandpa Gus’s mice sachets with peppermint oil. Put them in my engine bay and storage bins. Glue traps are inhumane.
Hi Dave, Glad to see you in some warmer weather for a change. Lefty could keep those mice away from Jeff's rig the way he was going after his jeep. Did one of those critters get up in his dash? I saw the news about the fire at Quartzite and glad it wasn't you. I hope you and Lefty have a wonderful Christmas and get many useful gifts. As always stay safe and looking forward to more vids. I sent you some surprises and hope you got them. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
Merry Christmas to you and thank you for sending us gifts. We've been picking up mail every few days and I'll get the camera turned on when we open them up :)))
2 by 2 ft borad screw 4 or five springs traps and put by rear tire, works for me
Yea glad to know thanks much
Merry Christmas David and lefty!
Thank you!!!
Merry Merry Christmas
I wonder if peppermint oil would be a deterrent, like it's supposed to be with regular mice.
It works well. Try peppermint soap placed in strategic areas.