Deterring mice from the BS (nesting on cabin air filter)

[coopny]

Hello all,

This is a bit of a general question, bit specific to the BS. I'm wondering if anybody has had trouble with mice nesting in the car and any suggestions on how to deal with the problem.

I park outside, there's plenty of woods. I don't eat in my BS, and knowing that field mice do exist and family having issues infrequently over the years, I don't keep packaged food in the BS. I don't even usually have paper towels (if they gain access to the cabin itself, they will tear it up and use it for nesting material.

About a month ago a passenger got in front passenger side and saw a dead mouse sitting in the passenger foot well. We were visiting family far away from home in an area where mice were known to be a problem (home 50ft from a lake in the Woods). Pop the cabin air filter, signs of nesting and holes chewed through it (access to cabin). Order replacement online and replace.

Well, now a week later in both cars there are signs of mice nesting on the cabin air filter (nesting material, indents from the mice nesting, droppings). They aren't chewing through because there's no sources of food in the car, they seem to be sitting on top of it. I've heard mice nesting elsewhere has been worse this year because it's rained for eight weekends straight here (which tends to disrupt their nests in the wild).

After the first cabin air filter replacement I started spraying a peppermint oil based rodent repellent spray designed for engine bays, which doesn't seem to have helped. I finally just put two glue traps in the engine bay (will need to check daily to see if it is of any help). I bought an ultrasonic repellent device on Amazon (which some people say they get used to the noise, but not the strobing lights), but the battery terminal attachments are too wide for the battery on the BS.

Any other ideas? With the exception of the first mouse, there's no signs of entry into the vehicle interior. I'm afraid to put bait in the vehicle because if they're merely nesting on the cabin air filter that would just attract them to enter and go around the interior, and I'm worried if I poison them that when the mice feel sick they'll just return to their nest (on top of the cabin air filter) and die there...

I can't identify any obvious entry points either. The other vehicle (a 2012 Accord) has some holes large enough on the sides of the top of the windshield cowling, but the BS doesn't. There's no other signs of their presence in the vehicle or the engine bay.

Thanks for any and all suggestions. Sorry for the long post.

Sponsored

 

[Jrl]

Hello all,

This is a bit of a general question, bit specific to the BS. I'm wondering if anybody has had trouble with mice nesting in the car and any suggestions on how to deal with the problem.

I park outside, there's plenty of woods. I don't eat in my BS, and knowing that field mice do exist and family having issues infrequently over the years, I don't keep packaged food in the BS. I don't even usually have paper towels (if they gain access to the cabin itself, they will tear it up and use it for nesting material.

About a month ago a passenger got in front passenger side and saw a dead mouse sitting in the passenger foot well. We were visiting family far away from home in an area where mice were known to be a problem (home 50ft from a lake in the Woods). Pop the cabin air filter, signs of nesting and holes chewed through it (access to cabin). Order replacement online and replace.

Well, now a week later in both cars there are signs of mice nesting on the cabin air filter (nesting material, indents from the mice nesting, droppings). They aren't chewing through because there's no sources of food in the car, they seem to be sitting on top of it. I've heard mice nesting elsewhere has been worse this year because it's rained for eight weekends straight here (which tends to disrupt their nests in the wild).

After the first cabin air filter replacement I started spraying a peppermint oil based rodent repellent spray designed for engine bays, which doesn't seem to have helped. I finally just put two glue traps in the engine bay (will need to check daily to see if it is of any help). I bought an ultrasonic repellent device on Amazon (which some people say they get used to the noise, but not the strobing lights), but the battery terminal attachments are too wide for the battery on the BS.

Any other ideas? With the exception of the first mouse, there's no signs of entry into the vehicle interior. I'm afraid to put bait in the vehicle because if they're merely nesting on the cabin air filter that would just attract them to enter and go around the interior, and I'm worried if I poison them that when the mice feel sick they'll just return to their nest (on top of the cabin air filter) and die there...

I can't identify any obvious entry points either. The other vehicle (a 2012 Accord) has some holes large enough on the sides of the top of the windshield cowling, but the BS doesn't. There's no other signs of their presence in the vehicle or the engine bay.

Thanks for any and all suggestions. Sorry for the long post.

Moth balls

 

[Major Kong]

once they set up shop it's theirs until proven otherwise
they mark & scent an area to place a claim on territory
even after the original occupants are removed
lingering scents signal an "all clear" to occupancy for newcomers
if you can tolerate a minty fresh aroma get the high test concentrate peppermint
give the cabin filter a dose of deterrent
good luck
other than that
there must be an inlet somewhere on the exterior
locate and screen entry point

 

[Oso Fell]

Hello all,

This is a bit of a general question, bit specific to the BS. I'm wondering if anybody has had trouble with mice nesting in the car and any suggestions on how to deal with the problem.

I park outside, there's plenty of woods. I don't eat in my BS, and knowing that field mice do exist and family having issues infrequently over the years, I don't keep packaged food in the BS. I don't even usually have paper towels (if they gain access to the cabin itself, they will tear it up and use it for nesting material.

About a month ago a passenger got in front passenger side and saw a dead mouse sitting in the passenger foot well. We were visiting family far away from home in an area where mice were known to be a problem (home 50ft from a lake in the Woods). Pop the cabin air filter, signs of nesting and holes chewed through it (access to cabin). Order replacement online and replace.

Well, now a week later in both cars there are signs of mice nesting on the cabin air filter (nesting material, indents from the mice nesting, droppings). They aren't chewing through because there's no sources of food in the car, they seem to be sitting on top of it. I've heard mice nesting elsewhere has been worse this year because it's rained for eight weekends straight here (which tends to disrupt their nests in the wild).

After the first cabin air filter replacement I started spraying a peppermint oil based rodent repellent spray designed for engine bays, which doesn't seem to have helped. I finally just put two glue traps in the engine bay (will need to check daily to see if it is of any help). I bought an ultrasonic repellent device on Amazon (which some people say they get used to the noise, but not the strobing lights), but the battery terminal attachments are too wide for the battery on the BS.

Any other ideas? With the exception of the first mouse, there's no signs of entry into the vehicle interior. I'm afraid to put bait in the vehicle because if they're merely nesting on the cabin air filter that would just attract them to enter and go around the interior, and I'm worried if I poison them that when the mice feel sick they'll just return to their nest (on top of the cabin air filter) and die there...

I can't identify any obvious entry points either. The other vehicle (a 2012 Accord) has some holes large enough on the sides of the top of the windshield cowling, but the BS doesn't. There's no other signs of their presence in the vehicle or the engine bay.

Thanks for any and all suggestions. Sorry for the long post.

*Following*
This happened at the dealership. While taking delivery I opened the hood and did a really quick once over. It was pouring and it’s a brand new car so I figured what’s to scrutinize? As soon as I pulled in my driveway I took a closer look and noticed this. I have since replaced that part and had the engine examined. Thankfully, nothing else has been gnawed upon…?

 

[Escape2Bronco]

This goes in the garage during the winter months. You normally end up with one mouse and lots of tails!

 

[Escape2Bronco]

The other is a standard small Hava-hart trap. But that needs to be reset. But catches them a lot. I had one get into the escape. Had mouse fur coming out the defrost vents for years!

 

[Escape2Bronco]

For squirrels, I use a mid size Hava-hart trap and a tall 5 gallon bucket. We live on the edge of a prairie so it’s non stop with critters. This was last night! Fortunately, they don’t eat cars, just run into them!

 

[basser5150]

I swear by this. Mint Oil and Irish Spring Soap Bars. Been using it for years in my bass boat. It also keeps out squirrels. They hate the smell.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

I swear by this. Mint Oil and Irish Spring Soap Bars. Been using it for years in my bass boat. It also keeps out squirrels. They hate the smell.

Where do you put the soap? Whole bars or small pieces?

 

[basser5150]

whole bars. In your engine bay find places you could leave them where they won't fall out. I put two bars in my boat. One in a front compartment and one in the rear. I'm thinking of some kind of mesh bag you could secure inside the engine bay. Away from exhaust. Put the mint oil directly on the spots they have already eaten.
Hope this helps.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

whole bars. In your engine bay find places you could leave them where they won't fall out. I put two bars in my boat. One in a front compartment and one in the rear. I'm thinking of some kind of mesh bag you could secure inside the engine bay. Away from exhaust. Put the mint oil directly on the spots they have already eaten.
Hope this helps.

Thanks. Now I just need to decide, do I shower and smell as fresh as Ireland or keep the vermin out of the Lexus!

The Sport is in the garage and plenty of trap etc. The Lexus is a storage facility for the winter now that I got the full size. They have bait stations in there but I’d prefer to be proactive.

 

[coopny]

Thanks all for your suggestions. Peppermint oil spray in the cabin only seems to be helping daily (unless sprayed every single day, it's not enough to deter the mice from re-entering).

Scented glue traps in the engine bay (without spraying peppermint oil) are ineffective. I see indications of the non-glue edges being chewed. Apparently adult mice have "feeler hairs" that make glue traps ineffective (they can feel the texture difference of the glue and don't actually step on it).

I took the route I didn't want to go: Yesterday I put out four bait stations with entry holes small enough for only mice to get in areas around the driveway. Put out four yesterday. Checked all four this morning and one definitely has been chewed on.

After a week (bait takes 4-6 days to kill) I'm going to replace the cabin air filter. I'll continue using the spray in the engine bay as well, but perhaps adding whole bars of mint soap will be a longer lasting deterrent to keep them out. I'd rather keep them out of the car entirely if at all reasonably possible than trap or bait them...

 

[coopny]

Good news: The mice are eating the bait. Very willingly.

Better news: Thus far no evidence of rodent activity in the engine bay (chewed insulation, wires, etc.)

Bad news: The mice are still gaining access and nesting on the cabin air filter. I removed the old air filter (wearing nitrile gloves), nesting debris (torn up paper towels and leaves) sprayed hypochlorous acid (similar to bleach in cleaning power, but quickly breaks back down to water/salt/vinegar outside of its plastic bottle in open air), and replaced the air filter. Rather than just replacing the air filter, I decided to spray it with peppermint oil spray. I'm hoping that it's a stronger deterrent to the mice than just spraying the engine bay daily. It's possible there's some other ventilation point in the vehicle that they're accessing the cabin air filter from.

(I am suspect that the mice may be entering through the rear air extractors, but this is just an assumption without any obvious signs of entry.)

Between the bait taking several days to take effect and the possible downstream impact on other animals that may eat the poisoned mice, I'm getting a CO2 powered mousetrap to see if I can kill the mice in a more ethical way (instantaneous death) that automatically re-arms the trap and allows for the various wildlife in the area to enjoy a snack without risking themselves becoming ill...

 

[Bucko]

I have seen (on the Motor Trend channel) that there are collectors, who have many classic cars in garages using an electronic box that sends out a sound that mice and rodents do not like, and it chases them away.

This is the one manufacturer that advertised it on Motor Trend:

https://mouseblocker.com/

 

[coopny]

I have seen (on the Motor Trend channel) that there are collectors, who have many classic cars in garages using an electronic box that sends out a sound that mice and rodents do not like, and it chases them away.

This is the one manufacturer that advertised it on Motor Trend:

https://mouseblocker.com/

I appreciate the suggestion. By and far from what I've heard mice don't really fall for ultrasonic repellents. They quickly get acclimated to the sound. Despite this, I bought one.... but the battery terminal connectors are too narrow for the motorcraft battery in the BS. I could try to run it on AA battery power. My main hope is that between repellents I can just deter them long enough for the poison in the bait to be effective (which can take 4-6 days).

I am also hoping that a more humane trap that kills them instantly (rather than bait taking 4-6 days) may provide some greater efficacy, and that spraying the filter directly (rather than hoping the spray within the engine bay is enough of a deterrent) will make them want to avoid the cabin air filter entirely.

I'm still really puzzled as to where they might be accessing the vehicle. I theorized maybe the rear air extractors in my last post, but those go from inside panels in the back of the BS to the outside environment directly. If they were doing that, they wouldn't be able to get on top of the engine air filter without chewing a hole through it from the inside. And other than the first filter, that hasn't happened. All activity has been nesting on top of the intake side, with no indications to damage or chewing through to go through to the cabin interior side.

Sponsored