I have squirrels!

zoesdad · 05-19-2018, 02:17 PM

Went to de-winterize the camper this morning and found remnants of nuts, a chewed up towel we kept in the compartment and I could see where they chewed on a part of the bin. Opened all the compartments and found the nest near the sewer valves. They chewed up my dog leg and coax, parts of the sewer hose and some wiring that ran along the top or the compartment. They did not enter any other compartments. Other than the wiring, only other possible damage was a dryer hose that was hanging down behind the bulkhead near the water filtration filter. There was no sign of antifreeze leaking. Will drop it off at the shop tomorrow and contact my insurance company Monday. Camper will be out of service for about 6 weeks.

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kenandterry · 05-19-2018, 02:24 PM

I’m a little concerned with your next decisions.

I’ve had squirrel damage more severe than yours.

What features are not working in your rig as a result of the wiring being chewed?
Is making this repair beyond your skills?
6 week’s at the dealer might just be a “guesstimate”.....are you prepared to not have your rig even longer?
Pretty sure insurance isn’t going to cover you, but good luck with that.

Just asking.

Reverse_snowbird · 05-19-2018, 02:28 PM

Squirrels can be incredibly destructive. We have a friend in LA who has a small park type train track in his back yard that the squirrels have damaged by sharpening their teeth on the aluminum track.

No joke. The guy couldn't believe it til he saw them chewing on the track.

zoesdad · 05-19-2018, 07:18 PM

Kenandjerry, my insurance will cover the repairs. The squirrel was moving from one compartment to the other that was connected together by s Chase. I can not see if there is more damage without removing the panel so I will leave it to the pro’s.

zoesdad · 05-19-2018, 07:28 PM

I found out how they were entering compartments. There is a round hole about 3”-4” in diameter in a panel under the camper. I guess it is a chase to run plumbing. The squirrel could then move between the compartments between the camper floor and panel. I guess the hole is there so the manufacturer could access plumbing during Constuction. Will have install a plate to cover up. Damaged wires connect to the black water tank. The iPad screen is showing the tanks empty, which they are, so I believe they may be for the tank heaters. They also chewed on the red fuse wire to the water pump but did not get through the insulation. A zip tie holding a curved support for the PEX as well as the support itself was chewed through. I also found a component plug hanging in from the chassis but that may be trash.

zoesdad · 05-19-2018, 07:35 PM

SailorSam20500 · 05-19-2018, 07:40 PM

I have a pellet gun available for rent. I can guarantee that squirrels should be afraid of it.

zoesdad · 05-19-2018, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SailorSam20500

I have a pellet gun available for rent. I can guarantee that squirrels should be afraid of it.

Thanks! That’s what my wife said! I have a sweet 16 that will work better, though!

SailorSam20500 · 05-19-2018, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoesdad

Thanks! That’s what my wife said! I have a sweet 16 that will work better, though!

That will create a LOT more damage if you miss!

Oh wait, the insurance company is already stepping up to fix damage - go for the 16!

moose074 · 05-19-2018, 08:08 PM

Hey squirrels aren’t the only critters who like wires my daughters Great Dane and moms miniature lassie look a like chewed low hanging wires on last TT and sewer line. Didn’t know until I went to pull it out one evening in rain before long road trip. Spent 45 minutes “ twisting” wires together took week long trip I hate wiring understand the concept but my fingers rebel got everything looking better and working again about 30 minutes this time no rain and daylight. Got back to town took to dealership only 360 dollars no parts just labor looked better but really 4 hours for 6 wires

**Flybob** · 05-19-2018, 08:25 PM

Damaged wires appear to be tank sensors. Wire gauge looks too small for tank heater.

JMark · 05-20-2018, 08:25 AM

My sympathies. Mice, rats, squirrels do lots of damage....I guess that I got lucky - squirrel only cost me money and 2 weeks....had a nest with young between floor and underbelly next to the FW tank and ate a hole into tank (that is where the money went). Because I had to work underneath I took the opportunity to do lots of other 'clean up' work under there. here is a picture of the tank....

zoesdad · 05-20-2018, 09:46 AM

Well I went ahead and de winterized. No leaks but the lippert screen is not registering anything in either the greywater or black water tank. Potable does register so the wiring must be for the sensor. I took the plastic panels off at the water pump to clean up their mess and there is no damage to the wiring there. I can see that they were moving between the compartments because there are a few twigs and leaves in the Chase. I will stuff copper or stainless wool around the openings. Cleaned and sanitized the compartments and letting them air out before I reinstall. Have reservations to camp over the holiday next weekend, wife and I are trying to decide if we should go ahead and bring over to the shop and borrow my uncle’s camper or use ours and drive it over the following weekend. Thanks for all the help!

dinkhauler · 05-20-2018, 10:26 AM

i'm sure there are dozens of methods to try to keep pests out but i thought i would share what has been working for me (so far).

I buy irish spring bar soap, leave it in the cardboard box and drill holes into it from the top, then put one in every storage bin and also several places in the trailer.

I also get the really cheap disposable zip lock food storage containers, cut slits in the lid, and put a little of this in them:

https://www.amazon.com/Eco-Defense-M...FRRX7DH4A13EXM

If nothing else everything always smells really fresh!

The big thing is to make sure to eliminate the food sources while in storage.

Duckogram · 05-20-2018, 11:19 AM

I have no mice, rats or squirrels. Also good for making nagging DW go away. Still working on keeping the Panthers, Bears and Gators away...

Iggy · 05-20-2018, 11:25 AM

Ohh. All I suggest is to get a good varmint hunter.

Get that critter!

Kirk S · 05-30-2018, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoesdad

Went to de-winterize the camper this morning and found remnants of nuts, a chewed up towel we kept in the compartment and I could see where they chewed on a part of the bin. Opened all the compartments and found the nest near the sewer valves. They chewed up my dog leg and coax, parts of the sewer hose and some wiring that ran along the top or the compartment. They did not enter any other compartments. Other than the wiring, only other possible damage was a dryer hose that was hanging down behind the bulkhead near the water filtration filter. There was no sign of antifreeze leaking. Will drop it off at the shop tomorrow and contact my insurance company Monday. Camper will be out of service for about 6 weeks.Attachment 172482

FYI, I believe that "dryer hose" is from your propane furnace to keep your water pump and lines from freezing. If like mine, it's just connected at the furnace end and lies in the compartment. I do hope no squirrels used it to get into your furnace.

retired06 · 05-30-2018, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird

Squirrels can be incredibly destructive. We have a friend in LA who has a small park type train track in his back yard that the squirrels have damaged by sharpening their teeth on the aluminum track.

No joke. The guy couldn't believe it til he saw them chewing on the track.

they also like the aluminum tie wire on chain link fence. chew right through them.

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