HikeArizona.COM

I've seen two recent videos now of Arizona backpackers who have had their equipment chewed through at night be mice. (Or some kind of small mice like rodent.)

One, coming up the AZT from Tucson, found a hole in his tent. The other, his shoulder strap was chewed through. (He sewed it with a needle and dental floss. So yet another thing to add to my kit.)

Both backpackers were experienced. They didn't offer any tips about how to prevent/mitigate mice attacks. (The tent guy kept playing "Whack a mol ... mouse" all night. But the rodent was relentless.)

Are there any tips?

I try to hang my pack in the air on a broken tree branch. But on Little Saddle trail, had to leave it on a rock/ground at night.

In the event that you are unable to hang your food, the "local" Flagstaff company Armored Outdoor Gear has the goods for Arizona critters.

Their RatSack is ideal for keeping out rodents and birds. https://armoredoutdoorgear.com/collections/products-all

As for the guy who had his shoulder strap chewed through, that kind of incident is not uncommon on gear that you sweat on (critters like your salt), including pack straps and hiking pole hand grips. I don't know of any protection for the salt-snackers other than hanging out of their reach. Even in the most barren desert there are usually some options to get your lighter gear off the ground. If your food is in a ratsack, your clothes are in your tent, then your backpack, shoes, and poles can usually be elevated in almost any available nearby bush.

For what it's worth, I'm absolutely shocked that YouTube doesn't have a solution for this query.

@chumley
Thanks.

I did see videos and forums saying that the rodents like your salt. (One video showing a half eaten cork handle on a treking pole.) Or that they want fiber to make a nest. But nothing so far about repelling them in situ.

I see that Ace Hardware sells mice repellant. It has Fresh Cab balsam fir oil in it.

Aside from one more thing to bring along, I don't know if balsam fir oil (not "Fur") would attract bears. Since even lip balm is a no-no for bears, I wonder about Fir Oil. (The description says that it "freshens the air.")

Hang your stuff; I've not seen any product that works/is worth it's weight. Particularly if you're on well used trails, they know there are free meals and are fearless. On a trip two weeks ago, had one literally sitting a foot away from my buddy just going to town; he didn't give a damn about our noise/us being so close.

As with most things in backpacking, just deal with it and be prepared within reason. IE, have a needle and some thread or floss because hiking a long distance with only one strap would suck.

@xsproutx
Tnx. Okay, I'll forget about a mouse deterrent.

On a broken strap - yeah, I was thinking how to MacGyver a strap using paracord.

I'd note that if hanging, it not only needs to be off the ground, but not below something a mouse can drop down from. On a trip to Tapeats Creek years ago, I noticed mice starting to act like kamikaze pilots and trying to jump down onto my food from above. They're creative problem solvers.

I've just settled on using a rat sack. Haven't had any issues with them chewing through stuff, but I leave my rat sack on the ground so it hopefully serves as a distraction from other things.

@ShatteredArm
I was wondering if rattlesnake sounds playing on my smart phone would scare them?

Downside - would scare me. Perhaps mask a real snake nearby. And/or act as a call for other rattlesnakes?

Rudy does a rodent sweep every morning in camp. He’s busted mice, in my engine bay and found a rabbit in a camp neighbor’s too.

He also keeps them out of the campsite. I don’t leave anything out at night. I know that’s not always possible when backpacking.