how do the mice get in?

Blaubus · Samba Member Joined: October 25, 2003 Posts: 5149

yes, i searched.

gotta park it outside for the winter, and the new headliner must not get wrecked by mouse pee. so how do they get in?

i figure-

the heat conduits
speedometer cable hole and wiring harness hole
rust holes(not on this bus, which is why it is getting parked)

can you guys think of any other possible points of entry?

can they get into the front doors thru the check straps?
can they squeeze thru the front grill?

copellos · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 11:00 am Post subject:

window open ....through the engine compartment. bastards will crawl in through the key hole

Opossum · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 11:10 am Post subject:

All they need is a 1/2" hole and they will get in.
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1973 Orange Westfalia Hard top, Original owner

chabanais · Samba Member Joined: July 27, 2002 Posts: 4866

Yup.

Might want to put some traps under and around the Bus and check 'em sometimes to see if there are any mice coming and going.

minispdrcr · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 12:57 pm Post subject:

I have read in the Classic Mini forums of people putting Irish Spring soap in a dish in the car. For some reason they hate that smell. In a bus I think I would use two bars in holders so when it starts getting used up it doesnt leave a mess.
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1969 Westfalia Weekender Edition
1973 Morris Mini 1300 Super
1998 Audi A6

vwheelintheski · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 1:02 pm Post subject: how do the mice get in?

This one got in but never left.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Part of him is still there.

RatCamper · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 2:10 pm Post subject:

This is something that drove me utterly bonkers trying to figure out. The only possible conclusion I could draw is that they were getting in around the pedals. The heater channel was severed up just before it gets squashed flat to go above the beam and I had a nasty piece of rag jammed in there tight. Besides the vents were closed anyway. No gaping panel gaps or missing chunks of rubber either.

Oh wait... there is one other place. That big drain hole in the moat. Although IIRC I have wiring running through it now. Drains work better like that anyway Laughing

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Vehicle: 1975 Special order delivery walkthrough panel based pop-top camper (LCA / Sunliner). Motor: Nippon 1.8L Single port Wasserboxer, Transmission: 3 rib 002.

fig · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 2:36 pm Post subject:

Mothballs keep rats and mice away. Rodents have very sensitive noses.
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babysnakes · Samba Member Joined: August 19, 2008 Posts: 6534

Same way this one got in.

It is conceivable that with a properly set up bus sitting under a tree or next to bushes, that a mouse could enter the fresh air intake vents up on the back. Then find the fan and slip through the vanes (yes, tight squeeze but they could do it) through the shroud into the heat exchangers that were left in the open position and into the body. Far fetched? Did ya ever see those old mouse in a maze tests?

rustbus · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 3:55 pm Post subject:

there is a drain for the fresh air box that would make a great mouse-tunnel - block that one too.

before i parked my bus for a few years i parked on the lawn and stuffed steel wool into anything i could see. it didnt help, and my headliner was completely ruined and the bus reeked...for at least a year after its replacement.

I tried the irish spring soap too, when i came back it had chew marks on it.

I then placed about 4 raisin loaded traps in the engine compartment and over the course of a month caught 8 of them. I vote traps and check them frequently, its the only way to be sure.

moth balls work great but then thats another smell you need to deal with, and its right up there with the mouse piss.
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Blaubus · Samba Member Joined: October 25, 2003 Posts: 5149

i plugged all holes 1/2" and larger.

1/2" and smaller got filled with silicone caulk.

the air box drain tube body hole now has a big fuggin rubber stopper pluggin it up.

the heat conduit on the back end were sealed with freeze out plugs and rubber Fernco caps. even if they chew thru the cap they will find metal behind it! little fuckers will not be getting in thru the heat conduit!!!

the tough one is the emergency brake lever- very complicated sealing job, but i got it done with caulk saver(round 1/2" foam) and silicone caulk.

the tailpipe got the rubber stopper, and the heater box front opening got Fernco caps.

tomorrow the fan- i will make something that not even giant rodents could chew thru. i am thinking METAL, DAMMIT! will post pics of the fabrication...

have i forgotten anything? i want to frustrate those mini-rats so much that they go off and tell all their li'l bastard friends not to even bother with VWs in the future...rant rant rant.

SGKent · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 4:51 pm Post subject:

Same way those snakes got in the VA bus.
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Hope you are having a great day!

When a suggestion is offered, I am not telling you what to, or what not to do. It is wishing you the best, & is based on my experiences as a mechanic, automotive machinist, & from racing in the era your bus came to life.

copellos · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 5:52 pm Post subject:

put 5 cats in there..

ewdb92 · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 6:14 pm Post subject:

PO of my bus stored it in a barn for about 5 years. He used dryer sheets and moth balls to keep the mice out. Worked pretty well, but took me a year to get rid of the smell Razz

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71 Camper
http://zerotosixtyeventually.wordpress.com/

longlive356 · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 8:56 am Post subject:

Trailjunky · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 9:53 am Post subject:

I put the small triangles of d-con by each wheel under my bus.

I'm more concerned with the dog that comes over and pees on my wheels daily. I can never catch him in the act but I know its him. Evil or Very Mad

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1970 Westfalia w/ Adventurewagen Top

justcruzin · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 12:41 pm Post subject:

bigbore · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 1:14 pm Post subject:

I have a 58 bug with its fuel tank that has about 5 mice in it the cap is off so that how they got in and Iam sure the other 4 went in to find out or to dine on the others in there but why did the first one go in ????
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where its cold and snowy

RatCamper · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 1:43 pm Post subject:

zerothehero · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 3:15 pm Post subject:

They take your keys while you are sleeping

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Caves are cool
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1979 Devon Moonraker 1600 twin port
1978 Oz Microbus 2000 FI Auto


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