How to make a rodent proof perimeter around van?

GervisLooper

I am thinking get some corrugated sheets, placing them lengthwise of course so the wavy bits act as an obstacle, then at the corners use drainpipe over the seams so they wouldn't have anything to give them purchase to climb up.

Any other ideas?

400ixl

Most rodents would have absolutely no issue clearing a corrugated sheet on its side. It would be no deterrent at all to them, as they can likely jump that high.

What problem are you trying to solve?

Tucosalamanca

Spend an hour on Google, to see how ingenious and persistent rodents can be and how futile it can be trying to stop them?
Rats can squeeze through a gap of about 20mm, while mice only need a hole the width of a pencil (about 6mm)

GervisLooper

400ixl said:

Most rodents would have absolutely no issue clearing a corrugated sheet on its side. It would be no deterrent at all to them, as they can likely jump that high.

What problem are you trying to solve?

A rodent problem.

I want to park the van in an area which I know has much evidence of rodent activity so I want to protect the van from them getting on it.

I doubt the old wives tale of placing peppermint around the place will cut it. Read of more failures than successes.

poppellerant

Divert their attention to something more appetising.  Such as a bucket of water with a trap on top, baited with peanut butter.

soolin

One of my outside storage shed has a rodent product, I believe it’s rat rather than mouse although I’ve seen both on the adjoining derelict site. Nothing deterred them, we re concreted all the base, made sure there were no gaps in the insulated walls or roof, bought all those expensive ‘smelly’ rodent deterrent sprays- everything. I even put down copper strips (an internet suggestion) and wire wool strips, they just messed on them all.

The  only thing that has worked , whichI can’t see being useful for you was a screech alarm. The ones for bugs weren’t enough, we bought proper rat ones and the noise is quite within usual human range for about 75% of people, but luckily the shed is isolated and is nowhere near any neighbours. I suspect it costs something to run 24/7 as well and I have 2 of them on. 

GervisLooper

soolin said:

One of my outside storage shed has a rodent product, I believe it’s rat rather than mouse although I’ve seen both on the adjoining derelict site. Nothing deterred them, we re concreted all the base, made sure there were no gaps in the insulated walls or roof, bought all those expensive ‘smelly’ rodent deterrent sprays- everything. I even put down copper strips (an internet suggestion) and wire wool strips, they just messed on them all.

The  only thing that has worked , whichI can’t see being useful for you was a screech alarm. The ones for bugs weren’t enough, we bought proper rat ones and the noise is quite within usual human range for about 75% of people, but luckily the shed is isolated and is nowhere near any neighbours. I suspect it costs something to run 24/7 as well and I have 2 of them on. 

How do you know it worked?

I was reading about them online and again seems a mixed results thing with it being hard for people to quantify if it is working.

Also I would be in the van so if it made and audible noise that would be a problem!

There are two large piles of brash over in that part of the field. I do wonder/worry how many of the population are living in those piles, since they have been there rotting around a year.

It is always said that such rotting piles are good for wildlife but this is the type of wildlife I don't want in there!

Anything to add @FlorayG as I know you are on a farm/stables so I guess have dealt with similar issues?

diveunderthebonnet

I saw something about this on  Rip Off Britain , rats were eating the electrical cables on a ladies campervan ,she thought it was due to VW making the outer sheath of the cables from vegetable based material , did a lot of expensive damage.

Olinda99

electric fence around the van ?

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Olinda99 said:

electric fence around the van ?

Or a moat of fire?

https://metro.co.uk/2024/02/26/billionaire-bunkers-gone-off-charts-one-a-flaming-moat-20350227/amp/

HHarry

After numerous expensive encounters with rats & mice (3 fuse boxes in my van, water main repair, plus others) I’ve now put bait boxes everywhere.
 Bait is being taken and hopefully the problem is resolved.