loom gnawing paranoia - lavender vs. rodents

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Ever heard an old wives' tale along the lines of lavender being loathed by mice and rats (etc.)? Apparently such species avoid it if they can. So, if you were storing bikes and were afraid mice might make a nest in their air-boxes (happened to a mate of mine's speed triple a few years ago, taking out a loom etc.), would you consider some sort of lavender-based repellent - e.g. oil smeared on key components or whatever?

As with a lot of such stuff, the science is really thin on the ground. But that doesn't necessarily mean there's no relationship of cause and effect, just that science hasn't discovered it yet.
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[Keithy]

Well most pest companies say none of the ‘natural’ remedies work. Most people peddling peppermint oil and suchlike say it does.

I got a bit bored after that and stopped reading stuff properly so I’m pretty sure I made a mistake when looking at the recommendation to teabag them, I’m sure the little buggers would nip you!

I think there is a lot of promise here for a thread whereby other BCFers give suggestions as to what to try and you can report back to us.

[yen_powell]

[Easy-X]

[stinkwheel]

Rat poison feeding station in the workshop works. If it starts disappearing, keep topping it up.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Polarbear]

Put a bird feeder next to your bike, they might prefer it. Yes really......

I don't think a rat would fit though, especially King29's pets.

Dozy dormouse gets stuck in garden bird feeder

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-54992101

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/143C5/production/_115558828_dormouse.jpg
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[c_dug]

[A100man]

Warfarin
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[pepperami]

I encourage my cat to spend time with me when I’m working in the garage.
The scent of cat having been around seems to keep the rodents at bay.
Also regular clean-ups & ensuring no foodstuffs live in the garage seems to work.
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[to v or not to v]

smear your electrics with peanut butter.

[jeffyjeff]

Personally, I would keep the peanut butter and bird feeder as far away as possible. Some years back, I was shocked to find rodent damage to the washer hose on my Dacia. Someone pointed out a dumpster located a short distance away outside the garage. Apparently, mice and rats find the synthetic compounds used to make hoses and wire insulation quite tasty.
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[Easy-X]

Apparently, compared to Lions, Tigers, etc. the humble domestic cat is an incredibly successful hunter. Something like a 40% success rate for every attempt. The question is: do you have a lazy fucker? You can't fail if you don't try

But at ~80% success rate the top prize goes to the Black Footed Cat:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/Zoo_Wuppertal_Schwarzfusskatze.jpg/220px-Zoo_Wuppertal_Schwarzfusskatze.jpg

Which is also one of the smallest cats in the world; lethal furball, if you're a rodent

It has been said that without cats modern civilisation wouldn't exist. The grain stores from the dawn of history onwards having been purloined by a plague of pip-squeak pilferers.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Keithy]

Just seen an article titled which starts “ Adorable, Remorseless Killing Machine”

https://www.livescience.com/63992-deadliest-cat.html

I want one!

[Polarbear]

[MCN]

Baited traps.
Rodent Bait.
Snakes are good too. Mouse has nowhere to hide.
Maybe a bit chilly for a schnaik to be active in a winter garage though. 🤔
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[jeffyjeff]