RV Repair: packrat!!, little hideaway, dogs food

Question
Hello

I do not use my vehicle everyday so Ithought I'd aske you the following - maybe you will have an advice for me -

I just found out that I have pack rats under my dashboard and inside the air filter housing - they collectedf my dog food - a lot of it into there and I could see their hair too inthe air filter.  Luckyly, seems like they did not chew on any wires yet.   I immediately put the dogs food away, closed it in a metal shelf.  But still, I am concern.   My mechanic said that I should leave my hood half open so it won't feel like a cozy little hideaway.   What do you think please and do you have any advices?

Thank you,   Gabe  

Answer
Well this is a common problem, criters getting in RV's and not an easy one to stop, now what your mechanic said makes sense give it a try and I would also head to a hardware store and talk to a clerk about posssible safe detterents that they might have for you to try keep in mind you do have a dog and do not want to harm it.