Modern Vespa

Sigh. I chronicled my goings on with the mystery of why my beloved Vespa would not start On this site a few weeks ago. Left Turn signal, dead. Won't turn over. Battery was fine. All seemed okay.

I underwent the (for me) quite ambitious task of disassembling the vespa (requiring a VPN connection to the UK so I could get a chilton manual - even online would not allow me to buy a PDF from USA)… repairing the wire damage (luckily)… and all has been good for many weeks.

My terrier started paying a LOT of attention to the scoot in the past few days. I thought it was becuase I left the helmet on the seat as I had picked up some take out and wanted to air out the pet carrier prior to putting the helmet back there.

But tried to take the scoot out tonight… and WILL NOT try to start. I'm quite sure the issue is the same issue.

At least now I am a little ahead of the game. BUT.

HOW do I keep this from recurring?

I live in Key West, a tropical island. Don't have a garage .. .but it is stored under cover.

Sigh.

I am once again (working) vespa-less.

And sad.

PIC of Charlie identifying the trouble spot.

Mouse traps. Last year I bagged, honestly, 30 freaking mice in my traps in the garage. This year I haven't gotten any in a couple of months. We have woods behind the house and sheds in the neighborhood so they have cozy places to live.

trade in the dog for a cat.

I got lucky with a 2 for 1 special on my land bats. they already came with updated mousing software too!

all kidding aside, I've heard dryer sheets work as a deterrent.

I have used them before I think they do work.

I just read that mice don't like peppermint.

https://fox-pest.com/blog/7-smells-that-are-rodent-repellent/

A feline would be much more efficient.

The exchange rate is at least three cats per dog.

strongly disagree. I would entertain one cat for one dog plus cash considerations. or, if it's a cool dog, then one cat (any color except black) and a cat from the farm system to be named later.

Moth balls are also supposed to do it or leave your terrier in the garage full time. They were after all breed as rodent catchers. I'd also put a bunch of traps out.

Based on this statement and the photo: The Vespa is protected from rain under a canopy or on the porch / terrace? Then leave the cover off! It is a climbing aid for the critters, they like it dark and warm. Apart from that, humidity also likes to collect under a cover, the Vespa doesn't like that either...

No cover…stopped that a couple of years ago.

Got this wrong: Sorry!

Ahhh. Fair point.

Under cover of carport. As opposed to out in the open.

Sorry for the confusion.

Try Mouse Magic and plant spearmint around the driveway where it is parked.

Those splicers that you used to reconnect the wires are not reliable especially when the scooter is motion and all the trepidation. I would go back to the source and find someone to solder those wires together.

This was a non sequitur on my part. I apologize. Please don't mind me.

I beg your pardon, but I'm not kidding now. There is a stuff made of a bobcat's (or a lynx's, I'm unsure what's the differeence) urine that repels the rodents. It does not have a smell for hoomans. A quick googling said it is called PredatorPee, but I am sure there are other similar things, maybe some of which are less smelly than the others.

Also since I'm a gardener I have to keep mice away from my plants. I use a birch tar (the black smelly thing made of birch bark), but I don't think I'd like if my Vespa smells like that.

Also there is a substance called nonivamide. It is a synthetic analogue of capsaicine, the hot substance of hot chile peppers. Sometimes it is used with a varnish to cover cables at home to prevent kitties and puppies from tasting them.

So, all what you can do is:
- Pretend that your Vespa is a predator
- Pretend that your Vespa has a disgusting taste

Probably there's nothing else.