Rodents have been more annoying and destructive of my canoeing and camping equipment than bears, alligators or poisonous snakes.
I store all my equipment in my garage and in my van. In the winter, field mice or voles—I don't know what the difference is—have always gotten into my garage and into various places in my van, including the engine compartment. They have chewed on things and up things. I've tried various repellents in my van and other vehicles. Moth balls work but leave a lingering stench. More recently, I've had some success with pellets that are made with peppermint and garlic.
In the woods, some kind of rodent critters—maybe squirrels or chipmunks—have chewed on my water bottles and other gear at night, not producing any permanent damage but lots of tooth marks.
Beaver dams can be fun or annoying on a canoe trip, depending on my mood. Beavers have destroyed part of my home property.
Whistle pigs were all over a campground near the Tetons in Wyoming. They were completely unafraid of humans and skittered in and out of cabins and tents. Annoying but sort of cute.
I also worry a bit about diseases rodents can carry.
I store all my equipment in my garage and in my van. In the winter, field mice or voles—I don't know what the difference is—have always gotten into my garage and into various places in my van, including the engine compartment. They have chewed on things and up things. I've tried various repellents in my van and other vehicles. Moth balls work but leave a lingering stench. More recently, I've had some success with pellets that are made with peppermint and garlic.
In the woods, some kind of rodent critters—maybe squirrels or chipmunks—have chewed on my water bottles and other gear at night, not producing any permanent damage but lots of tooth marks.
Beaver dams can be fun or annoying on a canoe trip, depending on my mood. Beavers have destroyed part of my home property.
Whistle pigs were all over a campground near the Tetons in Wyoming. They were completely unafraid of humans and skittered in and out of cabins and tents. Annoying but sort of cute.
I also worry a bit about diseases rodents can carry.