Sewer Hose and Birds

jgerhard · 09-04-2016, 10:52 AM

We took our Jayco to Pismo Coast RV Village last weekend and had a great time. This was the 6th trip out, and a few minor issues popped up but nothing too bad. On the last day, I went to drain my tanks, and my hose suddenly had 20 or so leaks that weren't there the previous 3 days! At first I thought I had been vandalized but then it occurred to me it must have been the birds. That was my Alfred Hitchcock flashback for the year. I researched online and apparently it's a big problem. Some campgrounds are notorious for this problem and even posts signs. Covering with 1/2 round pipe is an option, or putting the hose away every dump is another.

Has anyone else had this happen and what was your solution or trick?

Thanks!

"Yummy Sewer" James

Jhowemca · 09-04-2016, 10:55 AM

Oh it must have been those pesky birds again!

SmokerBill · 09-04-2016, 12:25 PM

Yes, I've had crows peck holes through my sewer hose a couple of times- actually watched them do it. Since I was at a long term location, I ended up snaking the hose through a couple of 10' lengths of black plastic perforated 6'' drain pipe. When at a short term campsite, I just store the hose between dumps.

troutslayer · 09-04-2016, 08:09 PM

I use a Sewer Solution.

SouthCo · 09-04-2016, 08:20 PM

Um, never read of that on here before. Only our third year of camping and never have had a bird near our sewer hose. I don't know of any birds who prey on pee or poo....

Tunce the traveler · 09-04-2016, 08:45 PM

Never had this problem at Pismo Coastal Village and I've been there a total of 7 times and each visit is 2 weeks- move out for less than a week and return for an additional 2 weeks and have never heard of this problem. The only birds walking around are ducks, ducks and more ducks.

justman · 09-04-2016, 08:54 PM

BB gun and some silent shooting through a window?

Seriously, I've never heard of this problem. You might try a Rhino type sewer hose. It's made from harder plastic, so birds shouldn't be an issue.

Dondeb · 09-04-2016, 09:53 PM

We had a similar thing happen to us. We didn't see what did it but we had seen a lot of squirrels and other varmints in the campground so assumed it was one of them. This was our first time out in our trailer and using our new Rhino-flex hose. Once we got home, we found an excellent repair solution...liquid electrical tape. Patched up all of the holes and it's still holding 5 years later!

bansai · 09-04-2016, 11:22 PM

Haven't had this problem yet. Is this near Pismo Beach CA? I grew up just east of there.. hadn't heard that name in a long time.

Only problems I've had in that area are sea gulls carrying off my lunch. If they've resorted to whomping on the poop tubes, I may have to reconsider going back... I do have plans to be there next spring to see family, filing this away in my somewhat lengthy 'things to watch out for when I'm back in CA' file.

edatlanta · 09-05-2016, 02:06 AM

No problem with birds, but I have had a problem twice this year with squirrels building a nest on top of one of my slides under the awning. I'm hosting in a state park so my usual solution to squirrels isn't an option, but it is rather fun watching them, nest and all, blow out of the end of the slide when a gas powered blower is running at full speed from the other end.

RedHorse1 · 09-05-2016, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edatlanta

No problem with birds, but I have had a problem twice this year with squirrels building a nest on top of one of my slides under the awning. I'm hosting in a state park so my usual solution to squirrels isn't an option, but it is rather fun watching them, nest and all, blow out of the end of the slide when a gas powered blower is running at full speed from the other end.

"Look, Jim! Flying squirrels."
We have problems with birds nesting in the space between the topper and the roller in the spring. I stuff Nerff footballs in the space and stick whirligigs on each end of the topper hardware.
With the slides out the whirligigs might work. We find em at Wally mart and dollar stores.

jgerhard · 09-05-2016, 10:52 AM

I've been RV camping for 25 years and this is the first time it's happened to me. I use a heavy duty Rhino hose too. Pismo has many kinds of birds including ravens and starlings. We've been camping at Pismo for 12 years and never had this problem. Maybe it wont happen for another 25...

- James

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