Author Topic: varments in bus  (Read 12319 times)

Offline jlaney

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varments in bus
« on: May 20, 2008, 09:10:28 AM »
hello again
i opened the bays of my prevost and found that something liked what covers
one of my guitar cases. could be a fuzy tail rat. it did a good job of taking the
vynl off the case. it had good taste as it was a martin guitar.need help on how
to keep them out. jt.
j.t. laney  tyler texas 1980 prevost lemirage

Offline JackConrad

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2008, 10:03:50 AM »
A group of us were discussing this last weekend at the SE Cruisers rally. one person said he put mothballs in his baggae bays. Claims it keeps out bugs and varmints.  Jack
PS: at lerast it was just the case and not the Martin!!
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Offline jjrbus

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2008, 10:16:07 AM »
My mother had squirrels in her attic, some one told her that moth balls would keep them out. A couple weeks after dispersing the moth balls I asked if they helped. She said no that now the squirrles were up there playing golf!!!!!
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Offline FloridaCliff

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2008, 10:53:08 AM »
First I would figure out how they are getting in!

And then seal up the entry way.

For mice I put one of those commercial looking plastic feeder (tractor supply) with the baits inside, under the coach.



We have farm animals so it is a constant battle, but I swear by them.

For creepy crawlies I put those little plastic bait packs in the bays and inside, when not in use.

This can be a real problem for those of us who are primarily weekenders.

Leaves a nice home for the the visiting critters while not in use.

I havn't seen a pest (alive) since I started this.

Cliff
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Offline chazwood

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #4 on: May 20, 2008, 11:29:51 AM »
What kind of Martin?
1983 Eagle Bus Model 10
6V92
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Offline tekebird

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #5 on: May 20, 2008, 12:26:54 PM »
put a nice big blacksnake in there.....

Offline HB of CJ

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #6 on: May 20, 2008, 01:31:23 PM »
May be no sure cure here.  We have had mice, pack rats, snakes, spiders, wasps, and lots of ants, but in no particular order.  Just live with it, or get a nice, skinney friendly cat.  The snakes we do not mind, it is the spiders that give us the creeps.  Good luck.  :) :) :)

Offline gus

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #7 on: May 20, 2008, 02:20:21 PM »
I live in the boonies and have constant mouse and rat problems.

The only thing that has ever worked for me is traps at each wheel. The varmints have to go back and forth to eat and drink and the tires are the only way to do that normally.

Rats can do an unbelievable amount of damage in a short time.

The best rat trap is the cage type, big ones just shrug off the oversize mouse trap type.

Acorns are the best bait.
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Offline Highway Yacht

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #8 on: May 20, 2008, 02:26:06 PM »
I only have had the mice problem once before. That was when I stored a 20 pound bag of Bird Feed in my coach. They destroyed the bag of feed but I couldn't find any other damage. Once I cleaned up the mess I never saw any signs of mice again. Believe me, I will never store Bird Feed in my coach again.
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Offline Paso One

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2008, 03:27:24 PM »
Okay now don't laugh but the two most successfull "home remedies" that have worked without fail in my collector cars is Bounce fabric sheets  and Irish spring soap. They can't stand the smell and stay away.

I have a Corvette that is so low to the ground the average mouse could jump up he doesn't need the tires. :)
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Offline Lin

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #10 on: May 20, 2008, 05:11:03 PM »
We once had a mouse problem in an old motorhome.  We were told to wrap handfuls of peppermint in cotton and leave them around.  We put them in draws and cupboards and it seemed to work for years.  Apparently it also can be done with peppermint oil.  Some say they a allergic to it, but it might be that they do not like the smell.  I do not know if it works for rats, squirrels, or bear.
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Offline junkman42

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #11 on: May 20, 2008, 07:10:16 PM »
Shortly after getting My coach while on a exploring mission I reached back behind a panel in a baggage compartment and was rewarded with a bite on a hand.  After I jerked My hand out I discovered that I was bitten by a mouse trap left by the PO.  I called Him and asked if ther were any more suprises.  It was not funny at the time but did amuse the better half.  Living in the country makes it impossible to keep critters out of anything.  Cheers, John

Offline jlaney

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #12 on: May 20, 2008, 07:46:51 PM »
thanks for the infoe.
i can't find any signs of dropping in the bays . i removed the a/c and
heating from the bay and had not completely seal the holes.
the martin was a d-15 thanks for the help j.t.
j.t. laney  tyler texas 1980 prevost lemirage

Offline Ed Hackenbruch

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #13 on: May 20, 2008, 10:25:33 PM »
Boric Acid, (its a powder) for bugs and fabic softner sheets for rodents. Been using both for years on cars, trucks and household items in storeage. Have never had a problem since i started using them. Traps are fine but since i am 1500 miles away from my storeage unit for 4-5 months at a time the sheets and acid are a lot more practical. :)
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Offline gus

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #14 on: May 21, 2008, 10:42:36 PM »
I tried Bounce fabric sheets  and Irish spring soap. The mice ate the soap but the Bounce works. Only problem is they lose their scent in a short time so they have to be renewed.

I found a 3' black snake near the rear wheel of the bus today so I won't have to worry about mice for now. Hope he catches a bunch and gets fat. Most adult black snakes around here are 5-6' long and much bigger around than this youngster.
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Offline Hobie

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #15 on: May 22, 2008, 07:45:49 AM »
I had the same problem about this time last year.  Check out Dallas' solution ---brilliant!!

"It's kind of mean and probably not politically correct at all, but my dad taught me how to get rid of mice.

fill a bowl with 1/2 cup of corn meal and 1/2 cup of plaster of paris and a teaspoon of salt.
Mix Well.
Place in corner away from lights and noise. (Mouses like peace and quiet to eat).
Next:
Fill another bowl with water.
Place bowl about 3-4 feet from bowl of cornmeal mix.

Return everyday and pick up dead mice.

The mice eat the cornmeal, salt and plaster of paris and get a huge thirst.
They see the water a little way away and go to drink. The distance gives the mix a chance to work a little.
When they drink, the mix heats up and hardens. Mouse dies from severe constipation.

It use to work in our chicken houses and sheds all the time.

YMMV
IHTH

Dallas"

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #16 on: May 22, 2008, 07:59:58 AM »
I had the same problem about this time last year.  Check out Dallas' solution ---brilliant!!

"It's kind of mean and probably not politically correct at all, but my dad taught me how to get rid of mice.

fill a bowl with 1/2 cup of corn meal and 1/2 cup of plaster of paris and a teaspoon of salt.
Mix Well.
Place in corner away from lights and noise. (Mouses like peace and quiet to eat).
Next:
Fill another bowl with water.
Place bowl about 3-4 feet from bowl of cornmeal mix.

Return everyday and pick up dead mice.

The mice eat the cornmeal, salt and plaster of paris and get a huge thirst.
They see the water a little way away and go to drink. The distance gives the mix a chance to work a little.
When they drink, the mix heats up and hardens. Mouse dies from severe constipation.

It use to work in our chicken houses and sheds all the time.

YMMV
IHTH

Dallas"


Yup, It does work, even though I've been told repeatedly that it doesn't. I quit posting this solution because I've gotten a lot of flack over it from both bunny huggers and pest control people.
My listed cause of death may have been mistaken though.. I did some googling and found the rodents die from a massive dose of calcium, causing heart failure.
DF

Offline Tenor

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #17 on: May 22, 2008, 08:30:05 AM »
Talk about gall stones! ;D

Glenn
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Offline bobofthenorth

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #18 on: May 22, 2008, 04:05:44 PM »
We have surplus margarine tubs with mouse bait in them scattered through all the bays.  Each tub has a small hole cut in it so the mice can get in.  In the past we have used the mothball trick when the RV is in storage.  We also carry a variety of mousetraps.  The worst mouse episode we ever had was one that got into the gas furnace in a 5th wheel.  Then he must have died in there cuz we could smell him forever afterwards and every time the heat came on it would spit mouse turds out the registers.  The most entertaining mouse episode we ever had was when one leaped out of an overhead cupboard when Marilyn opened the door.  It ran down her arm and under the couch.  The kids and I pulled the couch out and discovered it inside the couch.  It would race across inside the back from one side of the couch to the other but it was too quick for us to nail it and we didn't want to wreck the couch so we left it for the night with a baited trap beside the couch.  The next morning I checked the trap and it was sprung but there was no mouse.  Just as I was saying "damn, he got away" I noticed him lying dead about a foot away.  I still don't know how that happened. 

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Offline JackConrad

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #19 on: May 22, 2008, 04:08:30 PM »
Maybe the trap "skeered" him so bad he had a heart attack?  Jack
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Offline jlaney

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #20 on: May 22, 2008, 05:00:13 PM »
thanks for all the infoe
i went into the bay today and sealed all the holes that were there.
now  i might put my old j 45 gibson guitar or the gibson mastertone
banjo in there for a new trial. since he liked the martin he may try
again.  thanks j.t.

j.t. laney  tyler texas 1980 prevost lemirage

Offline Chaz

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #21 on: May 22, 2008, 05:24:20 PM »
 I never had mice before I started working on a new design for a grain dryer. (They dig the corn that was left around. )
  I had a five gallon bucket with a little corn in the bottom and it caught 3 of the little "darlings". (bastards actually!  ;D)  Totally by chance.
  So I got an idea that I want to try: take a five gallon bucket and a piece of pvc tubing that will span the top of the bucket. Notch it so it can stay there. Slide another piece of pvc that is about 5 inches long and just big enough in diameter to slide over the first piece.  Put a little peanut butter on the side of the second piece. It's my best guess that they will come out to get the peanut butter and spin into the bucket. And their buddy's should follow suit!!
  If you don't want them to live too long, put about 4" of water in there.
  I really do think it will work. I just need a little extra time to get a couple little pieces of pvc to make one. If somebody has the problem, and a little extra time, give it a try!

   Great White Mouse Hunter,
       Chaz
 
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Offline jlaney

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #22 on: May 22, 2008, 05:42:26 PM »
thanks chav
they seem to like peanut butter on an mouse trap also.
i set up at an horse and mule auction in a field and a
rat got onboard and stayed with us for several months.
the thing would get off of the bus when we were parked
and soon as the engine started he would get back on.
when i findly caught him , he was the best looking rat on
the place. no joke   jt.
j.t. laney  tyler texas 1980 prevost lemirage

Offline Tom Y

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #23 on: May 22, 2008, 07:10:44 PM »
Chaz, I use a metal rod with a plastic pill bottle in the center.  Tom Y
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Offline gus

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #24 on: May 22, 2008, 07:59:51 PM »
A simple trap is a bucket or any slick sided container tall enough. Put just enough water in the container so that a mouse or rat can't touch bottom or climb out.

The varmit will try to reach down or will slide down into the container to get a drink but can't get out.

I've caught many mice/rats accidentally this way, especially in dry weather.

If you don't remember to empty it it sure stinks though.
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Offline Tenor

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #25 on: May 22, 2008, 08:59:30 PM »
Just charge them for fuel! ;)
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Lansing, MI
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Offline jlaney

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Re: varments in bus
« Reply #26 on: May 23, 2008, 10:15:31 AM »
hey everyone
thanks for your help, i will try some of the reciepts.jt.
j.t. laney  tyler texas 1980 prevost lemirage

 

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