Please do NOT use soy based wiring!

[Pizzabagel]

Within the same month both of our Teslas (model 3 and Model S) had extensive electrical damage from a rodent chewing on the wiring, costing us thousands of dollars to repair. Yet my neighbors with nonelectric cars have had no problems. Researching on line, it seems that rodents are attracted to soy based vs petroleum based wiring. Please do not use soy wiring and design the vehicles to protect against nesting rodents.

 

[cyure]

Within the same month both of our Teslas (model 3 and Model S) had extensive electrical damage from a rodent chewing on the wiring, costing us thousands of dollars to repair. Yet my neighbors with nonelectric cars have had no problems. Researching on line, it seems that rodents are attracted to soy based vs petroleum based wiring. Please do not use soy wiring and design the vehicles to protect against nesting rodents.

Welcome to the community.

 

[cyure]

Welcome to the community.

There’s a lot of info on here. This forum has been going for 2-1/2 years, started before the reveal. The search function is very helpful. Additionally a good follow is @Jamie@ScoutMotors he keeps us updated from the manufacturer side. Welcome aboard!

 

[J Alynn]

Within the same month both of our Teslas (model 3 and Model S) had extensive electrical damage from a rodent chewing on the wiring, costing us thousands of dollars to repair. Yet my neighbors with nonelectric cars have had no problems. Researching on line, it seems that rodents are attracted to soy based vs petroleum based wiring. Please do not use soy wiring and design the vehicles to protect against nesting rodents.

I don’t disagree but as an EV company -making a statement against petroleum may be a necessity from that standpoint. But I hear you and hope they do it right.
As related to gardening I recently learned squirrels (and other rodents) don’t care for male urine and was told to water “naturally”. Been 4 weeks and no squirrels digging in my wife’s flower pots. Maybe there is something/natural chemical in that it could be added to the coating material

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Just a short note to say that it’s a myth that rodents eat wiring insulation because of soy. I’ve had dozens of vehicles with build years from the 1940s to 2023. Every one except the most recent two (both EVs) have been nibbled on by rodents. The process of converting soy’s long chain molecules into plastic removes anything resembling “soy” from the finished product; the resulting insulation is not a food product.

 

[cyure]

I don’t disagree but as an EV company -making a statement against petroleum may be a necessity from that standpoint. But I hear you and hope they do it right.
As related to gardening I recently learned squirrels (and other rodents) don’t care for male urine and was told to water “naturally”. Been 4 weeks and no squirrels digging in my wife’s flower pots. Maybe there is something/natural chemical in that it could be added to the coating material

Ummmm

 

[oldgeeksguide]

Just a short note to say that it’s a myth that rodents eat wiring insulation because of soy. I’ve had dozens of vehicles with build years from the 1940s to 2023. Every one except the most recent two (both EVs) have been nibbled on by rodents. The process of converting soy’s long chain molecules into plastic removes anything resembling “soy” from the finished product; the resulting insulation is not a food product.

Yeah, I guess a better request would be to please make rodents don’t like chewing on the wires, whatever it is that leads to that.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Yeah, I guess a better request would be to please make rodents don’t like chewing on the wires, whatever it is that leads to that.

The research I’ve read indicates that the main attractant is real food in or near the vehicle. Next is warmth. Then nesting materials.

 

[Scoutsie]

I was recently told by the service advisor to leave some dryer sheets in my glove compartment and to swap them out every 30 days if I wanted to avoid several thousands of dollars worth of wiring repairs from rats deciding to nest in the car when I’m not driving it. Apparently rodents don’t like the smell. The internet tells me that this is a myth, but I’m willing to give it a try for a buck fifty’s worth of generic dryer sheets. The internet also tells me that rodents don’t like the smell of mint and cloves. Willing to test out that theory, too.

 

[dreamweaver]

Within the same month both of our Teslas (model 3 and Model S) had extensive electrical damage from a rodent chewing on the wiring, costing us thousands of dollars to repair. Yet my neighbors with nonelectric cars have had no problems. Researching on line, it seems that rodents are attracted to soy based vs petroleum based wiring. Please do not use soy wiring and design the vehicles to protect against nesting rodents.

Ford had a huge problem with this many years ago, until they started using something less Palatable.


Scout. “People. Connections. Community. Authenticity." Welcome to the Scout community. Enjoy the ride.
Remember the built in search on the forums is a great place to start getting answers to your many questions.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I was recently told by the service advisor to leave some dryer sheets in my glove compartment and to swap them out every 30 days if I wanted to avoid several thousands of dollars worth of wiring repairs from rats deciding to nest in the car when I’m not driving it. Apparently rodents don’t like the smell. The internet tells me that this is a myth, but I’m willing to give it a try for a buck fifty’s worth of generic dryer sheets. The internet also tells me that rodents don’t like the smell of mint and cloves. Willing to test out that theory, too.

The mint thing might be accurate, but it’ll depend on the rodent. My local burrowing rodents love to pull my mint plants down into their burrows. I don’t know their reasons, but it’s an ongoing battle.

On the other hand, the mint-smelling bags of potpourri seem to have had some kind of repellant impact on rodents trying to get into the workshop…

We seem to be at a stalemate since we’ve been able to park both our vehicles in enclosed spaces.

 

[Chuckles]

Honda sells a "spicy" tape that supposedly deters rodents.

Rodent Tape

Check out the deal on Rodent Tape at College Hills Honda

www.collegehillshonda.com

 

[dreamweaver]

Honda sells a "spicy" tape that supposedly deters rodents.

Rodent Tape

Check out the deal on Rodent Tape at College Hills Honda

www.collegehillshonda.com

 

[Mousehunter]

$4k of damage to my Kubota Tractor harness. Managed to patch the harness on my Kubota skid loader-it would have been $5k. Kubota skid steer also suffered damage, but not critical to the harness, but they did eat through the radiator hose. No damage to any other equipment-so Kubota must have an extra tasty additive.

Meanwhile my house is over 50 years old. Gave up trying to wire my HAM radio's. 2 sets of antenna wire inside 1 year. No other house wire has ever been nibbled on. 2nd set even was sleeved in rodent deterrent mesh.

 

[dreamweaver]

$4k of damage to my Kubota Tractor harness. Managed to patch the harness on my Kubota skid loader-it would have been $5k. Kubota skid steer also suffered damage, but not critical to the harness, but they did eat through the radiator hose. No damage to any other equipment-so Kubota must have an extra tasty additive.

Meanwhile my house is over 50 years old. Gave up trying to wire my HAM radio's. 2 sets of antenna wire inside 1 year. No other house wire has ever been nibbled on. 2nd set even was sleeved in rodent deterrent mesh.

Wow! sounds like you need more cats around. They would have a field-day.

 

[cyure]

Wow! sounds like you need more cats around. They would have a field-day.

Honestly. I have cats and we went through a period of time where we had a few mice in the basement. Then one day it looked like a mouse murder had happened in the dining room. I had to have my husband take care of it. After that, no more mice. I recommend cats.

 

[J Alynn]

I was recently told by the service advisor to leave some dryer sheets in my glove compartment and to swap them out every 30 days if I wanted to avoid several thousands of dollars worth of wiring repairs from rats deciding to nest in the car when I’m not driving it. Apparently rodents don’t like the smell. The internet tells me that this is a myth, but I’m willing to give it a try for a buck fifty’s worth of generic dryer sheets. The internet also tells me that rodents don’t like the smell of mint and cloves. Willing to test out that theory, too.

Most of them don’t like moth balls or cotton balls soaked in ammonia. I know those work well to keep critters out or forcing them back out from a hole in the ground. Vapors burn the eyes

 

[J Alynn]

Honda sells a "spicy" tape that supposedly deters rodents.

Rodent Tape

Check out the deal on Rodent Tape at College Hills Honda

www.collegehillshonda.com

Mmmmm-spicy!