While we have talked quite a bit about how to keep rats, mice and other pests out of your home, we have not touched on the other areas they are capable of invading. Many people will do everything they can to ensure that there are no rodents lurking in their cabinets or the walls of the homes. However, one of the places that is often neglected is the garage, and more specifically, your vehicle. That’s right, one of the places that rodents will seek out in order to hide is in the motor and other areas of your car. While they are residing inside of your vehicle, rats and mice can do a good amount of damage. Not only can they cause issues by gnawing on wires, but they are also known to rip out insulation in order to use it as nesting material. Additionally, these critters are known to stow away trash and much more in the engines of cars and trucks. This is something you should be aware of especially if you are someone who lives in a rural area. Continue reading below to learn more about how you can combat this problem.
Keeping Rodents Out Of Your Vehicle
Plain and simple, rodents seem to be everywhere. And when they are able to damage your vehicle, they are likely going to cause significant damage. The keys thing to understand about rodents is that they are almost always looking for a safe place in which they can make a nest and store the food they manage to acquire. If you want to make sure that your home and your belonging are not going to become hosts for rodents, you have to learn how to discourage them. While there are many techniques you can use, we would suggest you try some of the following:
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Leave the hood of your vehicle up
Rodents are always in search of a dark place in which they can nest. Under the hood of a car is often a very popular choice. Opening up your hood could help to dissuade them since it will no longer be dark beneath your hood. -
Don’t let a car sit unused
If you own a car that you do not get to drive often, it’s important that you take it out for a spin once in a while. This will keep rats from messing with the mechanical and electrical parts of your car. -
Hide any pet food you may be storing in your garage.
Rats absolutely adore dog food and any other pet food for that matter. They will stuff pounds of it into the glove compartment or any other empty areas of the car. Be sure to store any pet food that you own in a plastic tote so that rats are unable to access it. -
Block any openings to the vehicle’s engine compartment
There are certain car owners who will place traps around their vehicle or on top of the wheels in order to prevent rats from climbing inside the wheels where they are able to easily obtain an access point to the engine. -
Make the engine and the entrances to the engine smell less than appealing
While this may not seems like the most glamorous job for you, it certainly has shown to keep the pesky rats away from engines. People have had success with a number of different scents such as peppermint oil, Pine-Sol, Irish Spring Soap, red pepper flakes and more. -
Seal off rat hiding places near your car
If you want to try and keep rats at bay, we would suggest that you get rid of any shrubbery and/or vines nears your car or your garage. This greenery acts as a hiding place for rodents and gives them easy access to rush to your vehicle and hide in it when no one is around.
Keep In Mind That Rodents Move Quickly
While it is quite common for an older vehicle(especially if neglected) make a perfect target for rodents to conduct a full takeover. On the other hand, you may not be aware that rodents are able to do an extreme amount of damage to a new car as well. In fact, in less than 24 hours, a rat can destroy much of the wiring in a brand new vehicle.
These critters also seem to have quite the affinity for the newest plastic insulating materials that are being used in cars. Mice will also chew the insulation off the wires that connect batteries, alternators and more. This will cause short circuits which will result in costly repairs for the vehicle’s owner.
Your Best Bet For Preventing Damage To Your Vehicle
While we can offer you a myriad of different tips and tricks for trying to prevent the damage that mice and rats can do to your vehicle, there is only one true way to ensure that you won’t be dealing with this problem. You know what we are going to say. The very best way to ensure that your vehicle is not being destroyed by rodents is to get rid of the problem in the largest manner of speaking. That’s right, we are talking about hiring a professional pest control company to come remove these pesky critters from your home. If you want to protect your family and your belongings, Earthwise Pest Management is here to help you. Contact us today to learn more about how we can rid your home (and your garage) of rodents in no time.
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