Mice/Rat Problem

Hey guys I need some help. I've noticed these scratch marks on my engine cover and foot prints on dusty areas of my engine. I'm guessing its mice/rats. Anyone have a solution on how to keep them out of my engine? I had this issue with my old car and I actually found a little nest inside my engine. I don't want to have an issue where my wiring gets chewed up.

Thanks for the help in advance!

 

I had rats chew up the engine wiring hardness on my 2011 DC, while the truck was in a parking garage for a week. Coincidentally, I was on a trip to Hawaii filming, where their vehicle fleet was having the same problem- rats doing major damage inside the engine bays.

Apparently Toyota uses a soy-based product in the wire loom and it's essentially "food" for the rodents. Insane!

 

To answer your question: I spread cayenne pepper, mixed with olive oil on the covers and wire loom to prevent it from happening again.

 

That's what I heard too about the wires too. I drive my truck everyday so I guess it scares them off in the morning when I start my truck. Unfortunately I'm going on vacation next month for two weeks and I'm afraid in those two weeks those dam rodents will make a mess of my engine compartment.

 

Oh ok I'll try this. Thanks!!! I'll put a s#*t load of cayenne pepper and hopefully their heads will pop off from the heat lol

 

Not really a whole lot you can do if there's a good population near you. I put some rabbit wire over my intake opening and over the "fresh air box" under the cowel after I noticed nesting and found a dead one. I also Park over mothballs but will be trying out pure peppermint oil soon. So far these steps have helped.

 

I have a cat you can borrow/keep (forever).

 

hahaha I'm guessing you don't like your cat much...

 

Not so much........

(girlfriends cat)

My dog would miss having something to chase around though.

 

Definately recommend putting a screen over the fresh air intake under the cowl and also the air inlet to the airbox. As far as repellant, I agree with the pepper. But, remember that there are wires and components that are not in the engine bay where they may try to make their home and dinner.
We had a problem with squirrels getting on the engines before the garage was built. Put mouse traps in under the vehicles and on the engines. While it didnt kill them, it was funny to see squirrels running through the trees with mouse traps attached to them.

 

Most manufacturers use wire with soy based insulation. It's how they meet green requirements. I tried moth balls, lavender, peppermint oil. I even spread mess from the cat box around the truck at night and then peed around it myself. I ran a cord out with one of the sonic devices that is supposed to keep them away. I took a picture with a squirrel sitting on it. I finally put traps on the engine and tires at night and caught the culprits. I talked to the local Honda dealer. He had to replace the wiring harness to 2 dozen Accords because some squirrels had dinner one night.

 

I would hang a mesh bag containing bait inside the engine compartment...

Baiting works far better than trapping.

Howard

 

My mechanic buddy was just telling me last week to wash the engine compartment with simple green for two reasons, its a great cleaner and it keeps mice/rats away. FYI other situations may need a hole plugged, rats/mice will not chew through aluminum foil if waded up stuffed in a hole. You can also place a bucket half full of water near the truck and the mice will literally jump in a drown, rats are too smart for that though.

 

Just an update on this issue. I used a small jar and poked holes on the lid and put peppermint oil soaked cotton ball inside. I used 3M double sided tape to attach it to the body and it worked like a charm. No more footprints on any part of my engine.

 

So they just jump in?

 

I had rats chew my wiper motor wires twice in my first gen. The best thing you can do is get rid or all the rats or mice around where you park. I moved my wood pile, sealed up under my shed etc. if you park in a garage, seal it up good. I also put rat repellant in strips of tshirt material and tied it at the top to make "rat balls" and hang them around the engine bay. Haven't had a problem since.

 

Tried and true approach

 

My dad used this method in his cabin in the Upper Peninsula. Really effective. With antifreeze in the water, we could leave it in the cabin and the water wouldn't freeze between snowmobile trips.

 

OH!! That's anti-freeze in the bucket. For a minute there, I thought that's what Nat Ice looked like out of the can. Boy was I surprised!

 

Genius. So man can still outsmart rodents? Sweet!