Critters in the engine bay
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 2
From: Nor Cal
Critters in the engine bay
I can understand critters trying to get warm at night, but, they're chewing on stuff.
In the past in my wife's Accord, I had to replace the overflow coolant reservoir and washer fluid bottle because they chewed a few different holes in them.
We have a pest control company that comes by every month, and, had set out rat & mouse traps around the property.
I'm thinking of getting the store-bought rat & mouse bait, and sticking in the engine bay with double-sided tape.
What do you folks use to rid them and keep them out of the engine bay?
Any ideas appreciated, thanks
In the past in my wife's Accord, I had to replace the overflow coolant reservoir and washer fluid bottle because they chewed a few different holes in them.
We have a pest control company that comes by every month, and, had set out rat & mouse traps around the property.
I'm thinking of getting the store-bought rat & mouse bait, and sticking in the engine bay with double-sided tape.
What do you folks use to rid them and keep them out of the engine bay?
Any ideas appreciated, thanks
New User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Wow, I haven't seen this problem myself. I did use to live surrounded by fields on all sides and we had lots of field mice and rats, but they never invaded our vehicles. our two cats loved to jack them though. My first thought jumps to a sacrificial item.. such as a man made box of bait/habitat that they would prefer over climbing your tires. Or, more cats. get more cats. lots of cats. really pissed off mean cats. starved even. GL man.
Trailering
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 5
I recently experienced the same problem after moving to southern Arizona. I now leave the hood open about four inches and leave a shop light on in the engine bay. The critters seem to be staying away, as it is no longer a warm, dark spot. This remedy was from some of the locals.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,325
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From: Nor Cal
My house is on a 2.5 acre lot in the country and all the critters that come with country-living.
spdblos944, I'll have to give the light a try and see how that works. Thanks
Hey dramirez and Steve, I have now found the tape online and am now searching for feedback info from people who have used it. Thanks guys
Sevenlevel, the cat idea is a good one, but, I have 3 dogs that go after everything that they are aware of, including neighbor cats. Not sure if that is an option, yet. Thanks for your input
I recently experienced the same problem after moving to southern Arizona. I now leave the hood open about four inches and leave a shop light on in the engine bay. The critters seem to be staying away, as it is no longer a warm, dark spot. This remedy was from some of the locals.
Wow, I haven't seen this problem myself. I did use to live surrounded by fields on all sides and we had lots of field mice and rats, but they never invaded our vehicles. our two cats loved to jack them though. My first thought jumps to a sacrificial item.. such as a man made box of bait/habitat that they would prefer over climbing your tires. Or, more cats. get more cats. lots of cats. really pissed off mean cats. starved even. GL man.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Nor Cal
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Post Fiend
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
Some people say they get good results with moth *****, others say those smelly dryer sheets. Vermin can do real damage, chewing on wire harness and things leading to expensive repair.
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From: Stephensville WI
Sticky traps work well also.
Although, PETA says they are among the cruelest methods of trapping a mouse, which I consider a very good endorsement.
Glue Traps: Pans of Pain | Cruel Wildlife Trapping | Cruel Wildlife Control | The Issues | PETA
Although, PETA says they are among the cruelest methods of trapping a mouse, which I consider a very good endorsement.
Glue Traps: Pans of Pain | Cruel Wildlife Trapping | Cruel Wildlife Control | The Issues | PETA
New User
Joined: Dec 2013
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I read that if you put Essence of Peppermint oil on cotton ***** and put them in you engine compartment it will keep the mice and rats out. They cannot tolerate the peppermint smell. I put it in my tractor engine compartment, no mice.
Marty
Marty
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Joined: May 2005
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From: Stevens Point, WI
I set up a pail of antifreeze with a plastic PVC pipe running from the ground to the top of the pail at a slight angle (pvc pipe is around 8' long) with an elbow on the end facing down into the pail. I put peanut butter on the edge of the elbow where they can't quite reach, they slip on the plastic elbow and into the pail they go, over and over again.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Nor Cal
Moth *****, drier sheets, snaptraps, sticky traps, peppermint, peanut butter & anti-freeze.
Lots of good ideas to try. I'm trying drier sheets, now, and I'll try some of the others, as well.
I don't know what is getting in the engine bay, but, since it was several field mice that I caught in the garage with snaptraps when they were getting to my wife's Honda, that is what I suspect is getting in my truck. If I was to relocate my truck, it will still be parked along the edge of the driveway and the pasture.
In the past, I have used a product called Repels-All along the property line to keep the skunks out. It seemed to work well, but I haven't used it for a while, since the dogs are doing a good job. I think I'll go back to spraying again, as well. See if it works on mice.
Thanks guys for all the responses.
Reps to ya,
Lots of good ideas to try. I'm trying drier sheets, now, and I'll try some of the others, as well.
I don't know what is getting in the engine bay, but, since it was several field mice that I caught in the garage with snaptraps when they were getting to my wife's Honda, that is what I suspect is getting in my truck. If I was to relocate my truck, it will still be parked along the edge of the driveway and the pasture.
In the past, I have used a product called Repels-All along the property line to keep the skunks out. It seemed to work well, but I haven't used it for a while, since the dogs are doing a good job. I think I'll go back to spraying again, as well. See if it works on mice.
Thanks guys for all the responses.
Reps to ya,
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,450
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From: Forest lake minnesota
In early fall I put boxes of mice poisen all around our property, I dump a couple of boxes in the wood pile and under anything I can in the yard. Under sheds and everywhere else I can find. The dead ones start showing up a few days later in the yard. To date I havent had any in the house or any of my out buildings since I started doing this..