Introduction
At Pasadena Pest Control, we understand that rodents are more than just a nuisance in your home; they can pose a significant threat to your vehicles as well. Residents in Pasadena, CA, surrounding areas—and nationwide–are often unaware that their cars, trucks, and SUVs can become prime targets for rodent infestations. Yet, customers who have had recent experience with this problem ask us all the time, “How do I keep rodents from getting into my car? This blog post aims to educate vehicle owners about the risks rodents pose to their vehicles and offers expert advice on prevention and control.
Understanding the Risk: How Rodents Damage Vehicles
The Hidden Danger in Your Garage
Rodents, such as mice and rats, seek shelter in cars for the same reasons they invade homes: they’re looking for a warm, safe place to nest. Your vehicle offers an ideal environment, especially if it’s parked for extended periods. These pests are known for chewing through wires, hoses, and plastic components, leading to costly repairs.
Commonly Affected Vehicle Parts
- Electrical wiring
- Insulation
- Air filters
- Upholstery
Why Your Vehicle Attracts Rodents
Warmth and Shelter
Vehicles, particularly those parked outdoors or in garages, provide a cozy refuge for rodents from the outdoor elements.
Nesting Materials
The materials in your vehicle, like insulation and wiring coverings, are attractive nesting materials for rodents.
Tasty
These days, vehicle wiring is often coated with a soy-based sheathing, which rodents have demonstrated their love for.
Prevention Tips from Pasadena Pest Control Experts
Think Preventatively
Think less about the cost of preventative measures and more about the cost of waiting to take action after rodents have totaled your vehicle by chewing a few wires or breaking into the vehicle cab and chewing your upholstery to a pile of foam. These are expensive remedies unto themselves—now add onto that the cost of preventative measures for the repaired vehicle, or the new vehicle replacing your rodent-totaled vehicle.
That is not to say that you should not consider the price of rodent protection for your vehicles and other property, merely that you are much better served realizing the investment in vehicle protection now is also an investment in your wallet and time.
Regular Inspections
Regularly inspect your vehicle for signs of rodent activity, especially if it’s parked for long periods. Activity typically starts under the hood, so that’s a great place to check. Look for droppings, gnaw marks, nests and paw prints. Paw prints are typically the first sign and you should definitely be concerned, even if that is all you see thus far. Once a mouse, rat or squirrel gets comfortable in your vehicle (it does not take long), it will keep coming back for the comfort of that warmth and shelter your vehicle provides.
Do Rodent Repellents Work?
What are some ways you can remove comfort from the equation? There are myriad commercial repellents available that claim to deter rodents from making your vehicle their home. From peppermint oil to ultrasonic and strobe light devices, there’s plenty of options to choose from. But do any of them actually work?
In my experience, almost no rodent repellent devices work, at least not by themselves. For most claiming success with a particular device, the proof is allegorical and there are many variables at play. The rodent that was previously plaguing the owner of the repellent might have died or found a neighbor’s vehicle to shelter in while the original vehicle was in the shop.
If you are going to try a common rodent repellent such as a sonic device, I recommend combining them with other repellent measures to achieve a stacking effect of annoyance for the rodent, making it an increasingly undesirable place to shelter. I personally used a device that utilized both a strobe and a periodic ultrasonic pulsing that did not disturb my cat or dog. I used two of the devices for the same vehicle and combined them with 2 peppermint oil diffusers. As I said, I have seen all these repellents fail by themselves, but perhaps together they may work, at least when the local rodents have options.
What Actually Works?
Here are some methods that will really remove the attractants of your vehicle.
Heat Removal
- Open the hood at night, if you can park your vehicle in a secure location. This will quickly vent the heat and remove the 2 main prime attractants: heat and cover.
- Place a portable fan beneath your vehicle (or above it if the hood is open) and have it blowing all night. This will make it even more uncomfortable and less inviting to rodents.
- Crack your windows (this is not recommended if you eat in your vehicle), but don’t leave enough room for any rodent to enter. A mouse needs the width of a dime; a rat may enter through the width of a quarter.
Pepper Tape
Honda sells a tape that can be applied to your vehicle wiring that is treated with capsaicin, a chili pepper extract. Depending on the accessibility of your vehicle wiring, this may or may not be a worthy investment for you. The tape currently runs about $50 for 65 ft. of tape.
On Garages
Make sure your garage sealed off from rodents. Small cracks and openings can be an invitation for these pests. When it comes to rodents, we highly recommend having a rodent specialist identify openings AND seal them off. Unfortunately, even among the supposed professionals of the rodent control industry, there are many who simply walk around the ground level with an expanding foam can.
Professional Measures
If you notice persistent signs of rodent activity in or around your vehicle, it may be time to call in the professionals.
Professional Solutions
Pasadena Pest Control offers a variety of services to help prevent rodent intrusion to your vehicle.
- Non-Lethal Rodent Birth Control
- Lethal Rodent Baiting
- Tactical Trapping
- Entry Point Inspections
- Electrified Grid Protection for Vehicles
Conclusion: Protecting Your Vehicle from Rodent Damage
Understanding the risk rodents pose to your vehicle and taking proactive steps to prevent infestations are crucial in safeguarding your investment. Regular inspections, cleanliness, and professional assistance when needed can go a long way in keeping your vehicle rodent-free.