truck damage

[TR21HP]

Any idea what could be chewing on the plastic part of my truck bumpers at night. We've lived at this house since 1979 and this is the first time this has happened. Definitely chew marks all over my truck and my son's. Any of you ever experienced this?

[jeffreyd]

did you happened to hit an animal sometime ago? maybe a cat or something is chewing on the bumper because the smell from a dead animal is there? just a thought.

[CrowRiverRat83]

Could be some type of critter cleaning the bugs off of your bumper.

[TR21HP]

Haven't hit anything and this is definitely more than cleaning. These are 1/2" deep depressions and about an inch wide. Saw some racoon or opposum tracks on the sundeck this morning and wondering if that is the culprit.

Thinking of putting out a food source saturated with antifreeze to get it because this has to stop, it's been two days in a row.

[HooknHorns]

I've heard of porcupines chewing on tires and rubber hoses before. Don't know if you'd have one in your area so it's just a guess.

[jeffreyd]

not sure if i would do the antifreeze, might be neighbors cat. plus poisoning wildlife is illegal. spray some sour apple or somthing on it to see if it stops. call animal control to set traps. never heard of this but not many raccoon and possum in phoenix

[TR21HP]

Thanks for the help guys. If it's the neighbors cat, all the better. I'll probably call animal control and see if traps are available.

[HunterLee]

probly a porkypine if you have them around

[TR21HP]

I thought about that too HunterLee till I came home tonight and saw a squirrel jump from my sons bumper into the tree. The trap is set out for tonight and we will see if someone wants to go swimming tomorrow.

[HunterLee]

they would be another culprit- but thats if its happening during the day.

[TR21HP]

HunterLee,

I've caught 3 gray squirrels in the live trap so far and it seems never ending.Talked to a guy at animal control, he came out and looked at the chew marks and said it was a gray squirrel thats doing the damage. I'll continue to trap till they are gone. The critters seem to like peanuts in the shell the best. Haven't had any further damage since I've put out the trap but enough was done the first time around.