Keeping rats and mice out of your car can be tricky for homeowners and pest control professionals. Rodent damage in cars can leave you with massive repair bills and put your safety at risk.
But why are rats and mice drawn to vehicles in the first place? And how can you keep them from turning your car into their next cozy hideaway? Let’s break it all down and make sure your ride stays rodent-free.
Why Do Rodents Get Into Your Car?
Rats and mice love finding cozy hiding spots, and your car offers everything they need. Here’s why they keep sneaking in:
Warmth and Shelter
When temperatures drop, your car’s engine compartment feels like a heated hotel for rodents. The warmth draws them in, especially during the colder months. Once inside, they’ll tear up upholstery, insulation, and wires to build nests.
Food Sources
Leaving food or crumbs in your car is like rolling out the red carpet for pests. Rats and mice have sharp noses, so even a tiny snack wrapper or leftover crumbs can lure them in. Parking near trash bins, gardens, bird feeders, chicken coops, fruit trees, and bushes attracts rodents looking for their next meal.
Lingering Scents
Your car might still attract rodents even if you don’t leave food out. Scents left behind by previous infestations, like droppings or urine, act as an invitation for other rodents. They’ll follow if they smell a cozy place others have used.
Soy-Based Wiring
Vehicles built in 2008 and newer have a unique allure for rats and mice. Many car and truck manufacturers have gone to using soy bio-plastics in order to save money and become more eco-friendly. That might sound great, but there is a downside: the wiring harnesses in these vehicles are made of a specific bio-plastic that is a soy derivative, which is extremely attractive for rats, mice, and squirrels. Many of us have fallen victim, and had wiring harnesses and other items in our vehicles damaged or destroyed as a result.
Safe Nesting Spots
Your vehicle has tons of small, dark areas that rodents love. Spaces like engine compartments, air filters, glove boxes, and trunks make perfect nesting spots where they can hide and stay safe from predators.
What Kind of Damage Can Rodents Do to Your Car?
Rodents can wreck your car before you even realize they’ve moved in. From chewed wires to health hazards, mice and rats cause damage that can leave you with expensive repairs and serious safety issues.
Health Risks from Rodents in Your Car
Rodents can spread harmful diseases like hantavirus, leptospirosis, and Salmonella. If they nest in your vehicle’s air filter or ventilation system, their droppings, urine, and dander can contaminate the air you breathe. Even without disease, the dust and debris they leave behind can trigger allergies and respiratory problems.
Mechanical Damage You Can’t Ignore
Rodents will chew through just about anything. They often target wires, which can lead to problems with your radio, lights, power steering, or even critical systems like brakes. Electrical damage from chewed wires can be dangerous if essential components stop working while you’re driving.
Rats and mice also love nesting in tight spaces, and if they clog your engine or exhaust system with leaves, paper, or fabric, it can cause overheating or stalling. These blockages can be difficult to detect until they’ve already caused significant damage.
Beyond that, rodents aren’t picky when it comes to finding nesting materials. They’ll tear apart seats, insulation, and other fabrics to build their nests, leaving behind shredded material, droppings, and stains that are tough to clean and even tougher to get rid of completely.
How to Protect Your Car from Rodents
Keeping rodents out of your car requires a proactive approach and a few smart strategies.
Start by keeping your vehicle clean. Crumbs, wrappers, and clutter are like an open invitation for mice and rats. The cleaner your car, the less appealing it is to pests.
Keeping your engine compartment clean also makes a difference. A thorough steam cleaning helps remove grease and other scents that attract rodents.
And while you’re at it, take a look around your parking area. Are there garbage cans, bird feeders, or thick vegetation nearby? Those things can draw rodents right to your car, so clearing them out can make a big difference.
Switching up your parking spots can help, too. Rodents are creatures of habit. If you park in the same spot every day, you’re giving them time to settle in. Moving your car around makes it tougher for them to establish a nest.
Trap traps are a solid first step if you’ve already spotted signs of rodents. Snap traps and glue boards can help eliminate the immediate problem. You can also try natural deterrents like peppermint oil to make your car less appealing.
Want even more protection? Wrap your wires and harnesses with capsaicin-infused tape. It’s designed to keep rodents from chewing through important components, and it’s especially helpful for newer cars that use soy-based wiring.
Tired of dealing with rodents in your car? Sentinel Pest Control has you covered. Our expert team knows how to keep mice and rats out of your vehicle for good. Contact Sentinel Pest Control now to schedule your free consultation!