[ducati1974]

As long as they're not chewing wires, don't sweat it about the insulation. it'll be fine with a foot or two not being insulated. If you look inside the AC you'll notice that the factory does not insulate that line (the suction line) either. A fairly minor issue. I've seen units that had tens of feet of the pipe not insulated.

[CaptJohn]

Originally Posted by rhood

Are you sure it's not the weed trimmer?

That's a good point often overlooked.
I've used pepper but of course it gets washed away in the rain. Squirrels eat the lead around the vent pipes on my roof and one ate a lead battery terminal one time! You can tell by the teeth marks.

[jane032657]

Originally Posted by rhood

Are you sure it's not the weed trimmer?

What do you mean the weed trimmer? Munns saw teeth marks in the black insulation. Do you mean a weed trimmer used by landscapers or is there a Florida critter called a weed trimmer? Confused. As usual.

[kentucky blue]

Originally Posted by bkcunningham1

I agree with that it is most likely squirrels.

I had the same problem and serviceman asked if i ever see any rabbits in my yard.We had a rabbit that was around alot,initially thought it was cute,not so much anymore.

[senior citizen]

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[quirky3]

If you put D-Con out, just make sure your own pets don't have access to it

[jane032657]

Deans has placed a locked bait trap. It is not as I said unfamiliar to me to have critters-we live near the ocean in Seattle and it is rat haven along with racoons which have been in the house, moles that dig up the yard. It is the price to pay for living where you want to live, and the view trumps critters for me. I am just trying to learn how to deal with the ones in Florida. Deans saw the teeth marks in the chewed up insulation. I guess we can say nature is truly at our door,literally. The positive aspect is the view is magnificent and I have a pet blue heron in the trees outside our birdcage, the up close view of Lake Sumter is gorgeous and the birds flying around from the Live Oaks Park that we also look out onto are diverse and entertaining. Got to keep positive and deal with the issues as they arise! I really think the dogs will help once we are there, if they get off the couch long enough to notice.

[CaptJohn]

Originally Posted by jane032657

What do you mean the weed trimmer? Munns saw teeth marks in the black insulation. Do you mean a weed trimmer used by landscapers or is there a Florida critter called a weed trimmer? Confused. As usual.

The landscape weed string trimmer would damage it and might appear as claw/tooth marks.

[Shimpy]

Originally Posted by hotrodgirl

Try soaking the tape in tobasco sauce or some sort of pepper sauce. Can't remember where I heard that, but worth a try!

I had a wonderful dog (Boxer) that loved to chew the carpet when he was under a year old. I tried putting cayenne pepper on that area and it didn't work. I put some on the palm of my hand and offered it to him and he loved it.
I've heard moth balls in that area may work.

[senior citizen]

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[mickey100]

We had a huge squirrel hanging on our lanai screen the other day. If we had stuff being chewed I'd be blaming it on squirrels. They can be very destructive.

[Barefoot]

We've found that mothballs work well as a deterrent for racoons, skunks and squirrels at our lake cabin in Canada. Unfortunately mothballs don't work for bears.

[entemedor]

Coyote urine will keep most critters away. You can buy the stuff off the 'net. Google for info and where to buy. Do NOT use it inside and wear rubber gloves when applying it to the areas you want to protect. It really, really, REALLY smells bad.

[senior citizen]

..........

[jane032657]

Just came home from a LONG day driving round trip from our home outside of Seattle to Portland Oregon to pick up a piece of STICKS furniture that I collect. Glad I am having a gin and tonic to relax as I read the above. Coyote urine, tabasco sauce, dog hair, rat bait, squirrels, rats coming through the toilet, running along the roof and electrical, ok Gracie, I am staying at my farmhouse in Woodway, WA with the moles and the ocean rats and the racoons and the coyotes...not! I am packing up aboout 16 cases of wine, sounds like I am going to need it. I am not brave. I will have nightmares tonight after reading all this, but I still love our place and will combat the forces of nature in order to enjoy my pet blue heron and other birds that will swoop over our yard. Stay tuned for stories once we move in. I promise to entertain you with stories from the marsh!