[kbtalley]

We have been dealing with a rodent infestation. They have climbed around the exterior of our dishwasher and have soaked the existing insulation with urine. So we need to replace the insulation. I have several questions:
1) Can we run the dishwasher without the insulation while we are getting rid of the last of the rodents? The smell is killing us, but we don't want to replace the insulation more than once. We'd throw out the smelly stuff and then put on the new when the little b****ards are all dead.
2) Can we order new insulation, and install it ourselves?
3) How complicated is it to pull this dishwasher out from under the counter? We may need to do it a few times, to check traps and clean underneath it.

Incidentally, we had a plumber out already, he wasn't much help, unfortunately!

[doreenc]

I have exactly the same problem! I would love to know how you addressed the problem of both the rodents AND the replacement of the insulation!
Thanks
Doreen

[TMT]

I have the same rodent problem, the same problem with the insulation blanket, and the same question about running a dishwasher without an insulation blanket. I have a call into a local appliance guy and will let you know if I find anything out on running the DW without an insulation blanket. In terms of mice, long story short (from an exterminator) is to buy several packages of the sticky traps and place them around the sides & back of your cabinet and against the wall areas where you see signs of mice. The traps are inexpensive. Mice are very near sighted and use their whiskers to move along a wall. That’s where you want the trap. Don’t bother with capture traps – sticky traps are suppose to be more successful in getting them.

[FreddiRoo]

We had a rodent specialist out today for that same exact issue! He removed the insulation blanket and told us that it is mostly for sound. You can run the dishwasher without it, no problem. I ran a cycle (that didn't stink - Halleluja!) and it seems to be fine. I think we blocked the little bugger out of the house too, which is fabulous.

I think we are going to look around and see if we can order new insulation, probably at an appliance parts place. It looked easy enough to pull the dishwasher out. There were a few screws bolting it in, and so long as your hoses have enough slack you can just pull it out.

Good luck to all of you.