Eco-Friendly Brake Cables Eaten by Foxes Because They’re Made of Soy

[carolinarider09]

Just a reminder.   I don't know if any parts for our bikes are affected but.....

I had no idea that brake fluid was an attractant for foxes.

From the link below;

Since 2000, peanut and soy-based oils and waxes have been used on car parts including gearbox insulation, primer bulbs and diesel injector wires, instead of petroleum-based coverings.

“There are two reasons why foxes attack cars in this way,” Mr. Cousens told the Telegraph.
“The first is that some cables can be soy-based and therefore they get attracted to the taste of that.

“Secondly, within brake fluid there is something called glycol, which is a sweet-tasting alcoholic fluid, and they get a little bit attracted to that too. But they would only get attracted to it if they chew so far through the cable and uncover it.”

https://dailysceptic.org/2024/05/11/eco-friendly-brake-cables-eaten-by-foxes-because-theyre-made-of-soy/

[Jess from VA]

This is rather old news Jim.  And I thought they stopped using soy cable covers.

It wasn't just foxes, it was squirrels, rats, mice, raccoons.  Critters.

Some real genius decided to use animal food for car parts.   

People with bad stray dog problems (and rabies threat) have left out bowls of antifreeze (glycol).  It's a cruel and nasty death, but it works.  (also can be a crime, locally)   

[carolinarider09]

This is rather old news Jim.  And I thought they stopped using soy cable covers.

It wasn't just foxes, it was squirrels, rats, mice, raccoons.  Critters.

Some real genius decided to use animal food for car parts.   

People with bad stray dog problems (and rabies threat) have left out bowls of antifreeze (glycol).  It's a cruel and nasty death, but it works.  (also can be a crime, locally)   

I seemed to remember something like that but, I wondered why it was re-done (stated).   And they only mentioned foxes.

I know the wiring my my ST1300 and Goldwing are targets of mice which is why I have mouse traps around them (and the Valkyrie).   

Oh, old news with a new twist.  Maybe it was the notion of Foxes being involved. 

[Louis]

Soybean use in autos goes back to at least Henry Ford. Plastic, used for knobs and such.

[Jess from VA]

I know the wiring my my ST1300 and Goldwing are targets of mice which is why I have mouse traps around them (and the Valkyrie). 

When I had a mouse problem, I bought some of every kind of trap (electronic, snap, glue).

Every mouse but one was caught in the glue traps (no baiting).  But you need to try and not step in them.  My research said mice always travel along the walls, so that's where all mine were put.   

Glue is the only one that doesn't kill them.   I relocated them to a coffee can and then the garbage bin.

I have 2 sheds, one for bikes and tools, and the other for garden and lawn equipment.  No food of any possible kind goes in the bike shed.  No mice. 

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

My riding mower gets a nest or two during winter storage, no matter what I seem to do to deter it. This spring, I found that they ate through the fuel filter, and even chewed several holes through the gas tank. That was a new one for me. Repaired plenty of rodent damage over the years as an auto tech, but it was always wire coating/insulation and sometimes the connector housings that they were near. Dryer sheets and moth balls don't seem to keep them away like they used to. I guess it's time for more drastic measures this coming Fall.

[Jess from VA]

What about just driving it over a heavy vinyl tarp then tying the top off?  And glue traps around it.

Mice will drink antifreeze (so will your dogs and cats).

[F6Dave]

Soy based insulation has become more common in automotive wiring to make cars more recyclable. The internet is full of stories about expensive damage.

Wife's 2017 Ford Escape has a tasty harness behind the front bumper. Rabbits got to it twice, leaving some fur on the engine undertray as evidence. The harness is only about $60, but to R&R the bumper adds $500. The second time I found tape embedded with hot pepper that makes the wire less tasty. I had the mechanic wrap replacement harness #2 with the tape, and haven't had a problem since.

The problem is so common that Honda car dealers sell that pepper flavored tape in their parts departments. Other brands may as well. Or get it on Amazon like I did.

[98valk]

 ethylene glycol antifreeze is the killer of the kidneys horrible painful death for an animal and human.

 propylene glycol antifreeze doesn't kill the kidneys. drinking a lot at one time like animal would will cause vomiting same for a human. it has side effects if ingested all of the time. It is an additive in many human foods.

many of the seed oils, started out as industrial oils like rapeseed oil commonly known today as canola oil and soy oils that humans ingest have bad side effects when used all of the time.