Mice in Equipment

[NewYankeeSawmill]

I've got a little Kubota tractor I keep in a 3-sided barn down in the pasture. Critters are grateful I built the barn, and one thing I've noticed lately is I have a mouse that likes to hang out inside the engine compartment. I've found evidence of nest-building in there during the winter (and other parts of the barn as well).
What kinds of things are people doing to keep critters from causing trouble inside their machines out in the field? Do moth balls and mint candies work like they do in vehicles?

[doc henderson]

I have had mice and birds trying to nest in the sawmill.  I had a pack rat in a riding lawn mower.  I had one mouse living in the tongue of my log conveyor.  found him after doing some welding.  the machines and rodents do not go together.  mouse traps.

[NewYankeeSawmill]

I have had mice and birds trying to nest in the sawmill.... mouse traps.

! Funny you mention, found a birds nest last week! Had an egg in it, felt bad... Park it in a different spot now!
I'm about ready to put up some traps, at least around the tractor, but... I get this guy, there's 1000 ready to take its place. Wife suggested a barn-cat, but they're coyote food around here.

[doc henderson]

After two tries, I got the birds to find new spots.  It is an ongoing battle.  I get some mice in the shop in the fall and I get religious about traps for a month and they are gone.  other mice made better choices.  the parent birds were able to move on.  I take the cover off and find a bunch of nest material.  We have had two years of nesting in our umbrella sunshade by a pair.

[GRANITEstateMP]

I moved wood and logs for 7hrs on Sat, on and off my tractor 20ish times.  Sunday I came out to process wood and there was a new birds nest above one of my rear facing work lights.  They aren't bright about where they build them, but there are efficient!

[YellowHammer]

Mice are intolerable and will eventually cause significant damage as well as health issues if you have a cab.  I get the mouse poison, the little green blocks in the black plastic "safety" boxes, and put a couple in the engine compartment or on the frame, a couple in the cab, or anywhere they will not fall off like in the seat when I get off. About three or four blocks per machine, placed in strategic locations, seems to be about right.  It is amazing how often I have to replace them.   

I have had mice build nests right on my cab air filters, (yeah, nasty), nests in the blower vents (have you ever been sprayed with mouse stuff first thing in the morning when you turn a machine on?  I have), destroy wiring, insulation, stuff like that.  My buddy's tractor caught on fire from a bird nest in the engine compartment.

I do not see how any creature can literally poop on its on food or in its own nest and survive, but mice can, and thrive.  But not in my machines. 

[doc henderson]

I had squirrels chew the corner off my fuel tank on the mill.  birds are smarter and will leave an area alone if they are vacated soon and often.  mice are not that smart or very stubborn.  

[beenthere]

I use bromethalin bait for mice. Protect it from other animals. 

https://www.amazon.com/Tomcat-Bait-Chunx-Pail-LB/dp/B005BV0DD2?th=1

[doc henderson]

If a child eats it, you will see their teeth stained green or blue depending on the product, and know they ate it.

[SawyerTed]

I use the green balls in Gatorade bottles laid on their sides.  That way I can look to see if the balls are disappearing and can see the traces that they visited without disturbing the bait "station."  

More inaccessible areas get the balls in a plastic jar lid.   Again, an easy to inspect bait station.