Squirrels ate my AC

[weber.roger]

During winter storage a Squirrel decided to break into my rooftop AC unit
He ate all what he could except for the copper. Now it's almost 2 grand for a new one.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to NOT let this happen next winter?

[lsbrodsky]

I found a bird's nest in mine and cannot figure out how they squeezed in there. I have no solution except more frequent inspections.
Larry

[55AS]

How about a snug canvas cover?

[FishByFly]

RW: Squirrel Stew?

[GMFL]

B.B. gun

[Kevin245]

I've seen squirrels gnaw through RV refrigerator vents and an F-250 wiring harness. As you have discovered one hungry rodent can do thousands of dollars worth of damage if left unchecked.

Nothing short of steel will stop a determined squirrel. We have traps set for squirrels and mice 24/7. Our traps are tucked away from children and foot traffic. I use Conibear 110's to keep the squirrel population in check, and standard mouse traps for mice. We bait with sunflower seeds.

[kendrick.l.j]

Dang tree rats! Obnoxious little critters.

[m.hony]

I had a check engine light once.
Squirrels had chewed wiring to an O2 sensor.
Another time I had squirrels chew their way through wiring that goes through the fire wall and heap up acorns under the seat.
I came home once to poly-fill all over the yard.
Squirrels had destroyed the neighbor's swing cushions.

[PharmGeek]

oh man, now you have given me something else to worry about! lol

I need to find a steel 100% sealed room that is climate controlled...and possibly deep underground, just in case.....

Probably squirrels would still not be entirely ruled out.

[rvb]

I've had squirrels eat the wiring harness in my Tundra twice at $5000 each time to replace the main harness. Toyota would not allow it to be repaired because of all the computer systems and the insurance paid each time less my deductible. I did some research and modern wiring has soy based insulation instead of petroleum so it is environmentally friendly and will bio degrade and rodents see that as food! The second time it happened the Toyota dealer wrapped the entire harness under the hood with a special electrical tape Honda sells that has pepper spray impregnated in it. No problem since. After the second time, I set traps around the truck and caught the one that liked to eat wire. Took him to the nature center where the foxes and coyotes live.

I have 5 pecan trees and a lot of squirrels. Fewer now since I stated an abatement program.

[UKDUDE]

I don't remember where I got a whole bunch of RV tips, but these relate to pest control and may be helpful:

Moth balls in pantyhose hanging inside engine compartment to chase off rodents.
PineSol mixed 50/50 with water to spray and clean all surfaces to chase off flies.

Dog flea collar cut in pieces to keep in propane compartment to chase of wasps.

Irish Spring in outside compartments to chase off mice.
Vensmile 12v under hood ultrasonic animal/rodent deterrent (yes, I know there is redundancy in some of these items.... but no flies/rodents/wasps....)