Rodent invasion

I currently own a 2009 2x2 and a 2011 4x4 with nothing but minor modifications (canoe carrying racks). I live on a farm. About 2 weeks ago I discovered signs of mice in the 4x4 cab and have since caught 11 mice in traps set on the cab floor. To a much lesser extend I have had this problem in other years, usually in late summer and going into fall. I contacted the dealer and asked them to find out possibly from the people who built the trucks about holes for mice to access the cab, however, the dealer people just shrug their shoulders an refuse to bother Toyota with this problem. I have also had to install a wire screen in the engine airfilter box to prevent mice from destroying the filter and that goes back to my first Toyota in 1995. Any solutions, pointers out there other than maintaining a troop of cats to keep the rodents in check?

 

My buddy had a pop up camper that he parked for the summer on a friends farm. When he went to get it to load up for hunting season, he pulled it home and opened it up. He said dozens of mice started jumping out and running into his garage, the camper was completely ruined from mice eating the beds, couch and even the flooring. He immediately hooked it back up and drove it straight to the dump. Unhooked it, pulled the tag and left. I think because he cooked in it is what attracted all the mice.
I would not eat in my truck if I was you, I would put some moth balls in plastic containers with holes drilled in them and zip tie them in my engine compartment and cabin. Mice are attracted to the coating of wire for some reason and they will chew in beyond repair.

 

Im pretty sure there arent too many places for them to access.Id be wary on poison since they could die in your truck and thats just as bad if not worse. did a search and came up with this...
1. Irish Spring Soap. Cut in cubes, drill holes and wrap a wire through and around the soap. Then, tie them under the hood in locations where it doesn't get hot. Or, just rub the soap bar around on various surfaces. This soap is also often used to discourage deer.


2. Peppermint oil applied on cotton balls, appropriately fixed or wired in place. Apparently it works as a mouse repellent, but you must remember to reapply the oil every few days. It is strong smelling, possibly repugnant to rodents, but more pleasant smelling to humans than some other oderants. (One person suggested anointing your Rat Terrier with peppermint oil.)
Though many users thought peppermint worked well -- one person said: "I took a cotton rag, soaked it in peppermint oil, then tied it near where mice had been. Next morning, I went out and they had EATEN part of the cloth and pulled it all away from where I had tied it."


3. Laundry dryer sheets such as "Bounce" brand : These are sometimes used as mosquito repellant by mountain campers and hikers. I has been said that putting them under the hood or tying them in certain places in the vehicle made the mice depart the premises. They are also very economical. Replace regularly.


4. Spraying "Pine Sol" cleaner in the car engine compartment has also been sugested. Try to NOT get it on the batteries. Spraying the area around the windshield washer where it's all metal, should send a message. The "Stop The Rodent" or "Critter Ridder" products, used similarly, should be safe everywhere. Check directions.


5. Some recommended using Brillo steel wool scrubbing pads attached beneath the hood. The strong-smelling soap in the pads is likely to remain in place for a time, so it could be a good deterrent.


6. Cayenne pepper, sprinkled around the vehicle tires might help. Pepper of this type is sometimes used in some the commercial spray products.


7. Though some people mentioned it, I’d stay away from the WD-40 and the self-defense pepper spray techniques. The first is dangerously flammable and also evaporates quickly. The second may literally backfire on you.


8. Moth balls- (Paradichlorobenzine) are poisonous to animals and humans, they have toxic vapors and are dangerous to use. Some people say to place them in a can under a vehicle or hang a bagful under the hood -- but there are serious risks for people.


9. Rat poisons can kill natural predators ( foxes, hawks, others) if a sick or poisoned rodent is eaten. Rat bait may work as well, but when it is carried away, you don't know where it goes. It can be terrible if you kill your favorite hunting dog or the neighbors cat using poison.
IAlso, if a rat dies in a hidden space inside your vehicle, will you be able to live with the repulsive rotting cadaver smell that will penetrate the interior?

 

What climate are you in/where? I've heard of snakes and rodents seeking warmth in vehicles in colder weather... that's my only guess; being August however probably not a good guess. Do you transport any animal feed or horse tack in the cab? Mice love that stuff. They infest my shed which has leftover horse supplies and had some grain in it. What about sticking a cat overnight in the truck with the windows cracked and some water; let it find its own food.

 

There are several threads about adding a screen to the fresh air vent above the glove box? Open the cabin air filter door and have a look upward. There is a huge opening above in the cowl.

 

Maybe try putting crushed up mothballs and other mentioned stuff all over the ground where you park, if it's outside, and perhaps do oil changes etc in a different spot. Once they're out of the truck, then maybe they'll avoid the area around it. Then you won't have to live with mothball smell inside.

 

Every vehicle can get mice in them, that's not specific to Toyota. lol