A plague of rats.

I'm reaching out for help because I've exhausted all my resources and no-one is able to give me a definitive answer of what to do.

In december we moved to a new place in a new city, unbeknownst to us, there is a rat problem. my truck sat in the driveway for a few days, and the rats have been all over the engine. Rat turds on the engine cover, and now the vent system reeks of rat urine.

I've taken steps to resolve the rats... but for now the pressing concern is the rat odor

My truck is a 2013 SR5 4L v6.

I'm pretty sure they weren't in the truck or anything, just on the outside, I just dont know where/what I need to take apart and clean to remove the urine smell? I'm assuming I'll need to use an ezymatic cleaner like one uses for cat urine? lysol? febreeze?

I asked my mechanic from the city I used to live in 2.5 hours away, he said the truck doesnt have a cabin air filter??? that cant be correct.

the local toyota dealer offered to sell me an AC cleaner spray but said it was more for mildew and wouldn't work and suggested I put some 1/4" chicken wire mesh over the opening in the air intake? not sure how that would stop rats urine...

The local detailing shop has a process they claim will work, something about tenting the vehicle and using nasty chemicals to oxidize the organic material or some such. but they want a chunk of money(over $600) and would need to keep the truck overnight.

Is there nothing I can do on my own? I'm not an automotive guy, but I work in construction, have my own tools and am relatively handy, surely there is someone who's walked this road before, and can offer some sage wisdom from their experience?

or do I just nuke it from orbit?!

I'm sick of my truck smelling like the bottom of a pet store rat cage. thanks.

 

Yikes ... I feel for you.

I know a guy who had some mice in his car stored in a barn for a coupe of years ... but it was not this bad.

Keep us posted ... good luck.

 

The cabin filter is behid the glove box change it

 

Yeah, I just found a youtube video how to drop the glovebox and replace. thanks will do that tomorrow - any suggestions on what else I can do?

 

When training my pup I had a spray that would neutralize nearly all the urine smell. Purchased it from the pet store, something to try.

 

PS ... Rats hate the smell of bleach too and the concentrated bug juice at Home Depot (about $13.00 a quart for the concentrate).

 

Also clean out your blower motor.

 

Ozone generator is what the detailing folks are probably talking about. I believe you can rent them. I researched it when I was flipping a car that had some significant odor issues, ended up replacing the interior instead.

 

Remove the cowl under the windshield wipers under the rear of the hood , on the passenger side there is about a 3" x 8" opening into the top of the cabin air filter area , cover it with 1/4" hardware cloth

I found a rats nest on my cabin air filter

Thanks Toyota

Oh and spray area with Nature's Miracle

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/in-cabin-filter.460866/page-3#post-13676940

 

I have it on good authority rats also hate traps that have utility knives brazed to them....

is there anything to hold it in place? or just stuff it in w/ pressure fit? glue it with some clear silicone? zip ties? screws? jbweld?

 

See link I posted above

 

You guys rock, thanks its been really bumming me out the last few days, and then it dawned on me - why am I chasing my tail like an idiot trying to figure it out, when surely someone on the TW forum has a solution.

I really REALLY Appreciate it. and my wife will think i'm a super-hero if I get this sorted out.

 

Use this stuff

http://www.naturesmiracle.com/products/cat/stain-and-odor/stain-and-odor-remover.aspx

 

Check all your wires for chew damage, good luck!

 

There are bug bomb type air fresheners and odor neutralizes. Check out autogeek.com

 

My in-laws have rat issues through the whole town after they started a major highway construction project the next town over. No rat turd issues, but they chewed through two different wiring harnesses on his RAV4 that cost him $1200 to get replaced. Apparently tons of other people in town with newer vehicles that use "environmentally friendly" wire coatings (i.e., soy-based) are plagued with this problem - sometimes repeatedly. My father-in-law did some research and found that they hate the smell of moth balls. He packs a bunch into a thin sock, knots the end, and places a sock on top of each tire when he gets home for the night, one in a potted plant near where he parks for good measure (and one by each door of the house so they don't try and sneak inside). Hasn't had a problem since. Some of the neighbors he's friends with don't want to try it because of the smell, but I guess they like having to piss money away on wires over and over...

 

I screened off my cabin air inlet, but yes, they get into the cowl and still create a problem. I would also suggest screening the entry into the cowl on each side. Better to keep them completely out of that area. See pic below.

Natures miracle, as suggested for the smell.

Then install these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074WLBMKZ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This multi-prong approach has completely eliminated all traces of rat and mouse activity. I mounted one of the sonic deterrents in the engine bay and one underneath the truck near the transfer case.

 

Janitorial supply stores have stuff to cure bad odors .

 

I have used this stuff for bad odors in the past & it worked pretty well.

https://www.odorxit.com/learn-knowledge-odorxit