Another red cedar question

[Ron Wenrich]

I just got my old VW fixed up, and the mechanic said that I should spread some moth balls around the car to keep the mice out of the car.

That got me to thinking.  Red cedar keeps moths out of clothing, just like moth balls.  So, would I be able to keep mice out by spreading red cedar shavings?  Or am I just giving the mice some real nice bedding material?   :D

[Jeff]

We'll need a picture to be able to answer.

[johnjbc]

I don't know about the cedar keeping mice out but I have some experience with mothballs. Our camp which is an old house trailer was infested with mice. After the Black Snake moved in to feed on them and went to sleep in my wife's sleeping bag  :D she was bound to do something  . Someone told her that mothballs would get rid of the mice so she bought a couple boxes and put them everywhere, in the closets, drawers under the couch cushions, bed, and anywhere else she could find. The next trip up when I opened the door the smell almost knocked me down, but we still had mice. We haven't had any more snakes so I guess the mothball did something.

[Ron Wenrich]

We'll need a picture to be able to answer.

Of the car or of the mice?

[Jeff]

Car for sure, mice if possible.

[bmill]

 Go buy those things my wife throws in the dryer, those little square cloth like things (dryer sheets?). We use them every winter in our outbuilding and you won't get a mouse, snake or anything near them. Works like a champ and completely safe.

[okmulch]

Well from my experience with my and cedar is they do not mind it at all. The mice will use the bark to build nests and put these nest in between layers of boards that have been stickered to air dry.
I also see mice in the fields I clean up making homes in the cedar trees on the ground.
Pets stores sell cedar shavings for mice and hamsters.
So what I am saying is mice seem to like cedar. :D

[pigman]

Yes, you should put the ERC in the car. The animal rights people will be real happy that you are furnishing a good bedding material for the mice. 8) ;D

[Don_Papenburg]

The proper  thing for a Forestry Forum member to do is get the green pine sented "little trees" air freshners for your car .  We use them in the combine cabs every year . The mice tend to stay away from the pine sented trees.   Put in two or three of them for a start then youy can use less after the mice have vacated the Vdub

[Ron Wenrich]

Not your typical bug convertible, since it has suicide doors and a chopped top.  I had an engine fire and converted over to the dual carbs.  Figured I might as well go all out and get the thing road worthy.  I got the chrome done, some body work, they rewired it and fixed the brakes up.  I think I was the mechanics economic stimulus for November.   :D   There's no windows or heat, so its mainly a summer driver.

Here's what the bug looks like:

[Jeff]

Awesome!

[pigman]

  8) I had a  68 Beetle back in 71 , but it didn't look like that.

[SwampDonkey]

That's a great looking car Ron. I always like to see those bugs on the road. I guess too much Walt Disney as a kid. :D Those style are sure rare to see now.  8)

Now where you hiding the " Peace and Love" van?  :D :D :D

[Jeff]

Does it live in that little building?

[woody1]

Holy COW !! Where ya gonna haul the blades...road trip.

[Banjo picker]

Too nice for mice.  Tim

[OneWithWood]

Ron, great looking car.  Low rider VW  8)

We need a pic with you behind the wheel for sure  ;)

[mike_van]

I always understood that cedar kept moths out, never heard of mice not liking it? 

[beenthere]

And one does some research, he finds out that cedar doesn't really keep the moths out. It has been a myth, from what I have read. But one I'm not sure I believe.
One such refute:
http://www.walterreeves.com/insects_animals/article.phtml?cat=21&id=627

[SwampDonkey]

I have a red cedar lined closet and the only thing I find that keeps them bugs out is a handful of moth balls. I have them in the fall coming in from the cold, then they seem to die out in the winter, nothing to eat and no water. The ones I see are tiny, not like a budworm moth.

[oakiemac]

The engine in that thing looks like the one on my sawmill.  ;)

[Brucer]

I dunno about ERC, but WRC works pretty good. Piece of 1x4 about 3-1/2 feet long. Watch out you don't snag something on the backswing.

;D

[pigman]

I don't know Brucer. If Ron swings a 3-1/2 ft board in his VW Beetle  there would not be any glass unbroken.

[Jeff]

Hes good ta go then cause he said there are no windows. 

[CLL]

NICE RIDE!!!!  I know a guy that could use a motor like that on his machinery. 8)

[pigman]

I suppose somebody already tried the board method in Ron's VW is why it doesn't have any glass.