(Don’t use them inside the car, or you’ll be stuck with that awful smell.)

However, their effectiveness is in doubt.įor storage, placing mothballs under the hood can help. There are ultrasonic devices that emit sounds to deter rodents, but at a frequency that humans can’t hear. Here are some other tips to keep your vehicle rodent-free. If you suspect that you have a rodent problem, inspect and clean the car outside while wearing protective rubber gloves: Rodents can carry diseases. Periodically look for signs of furry visitors, such as droppings, urine, scratches, chewed wire, damaged belts, gathered nesting materials, and exposed fiber insulation. In such cases, it can be helpful to use a mobile mechanic, such as those available through YourMechanic, to inspect and repair the damage. If the wire coating is chewed through, exposing the inner wire, the car might not be safe to drive. “Chewed wires are a serious concern and will require professional assessment and potentially repair.” “If you see damage from rodents, take action immediately to both deter the animals and keep your car running,” says John Ibbotson, Consumer Report’s chief mechanic. The problems can be severe, ranging from clogging the air filter with nesting materials to damaging the engine wiring harness, which can cost thousands to replace. And a representative from pest control company Orkin told CR that there was a rise during the pandemic, partly because more people were working from home, thereby driving less frequently and having more chances to observe rodents. It turns out that feasting on cars is more prevalent than you might think.

Pest control company Terminix considers the temptations of tasty materials to be a myth, and instead, it blames rodent biology and their need to constantly chew, thereby preventing their teeth from growing too long. Several class-action lawsuits have been filed against major automakers in recent years alleging that soy-based products were to blame, but these court cases were later dismissed. Rodent-inflicted damage is an age-old problem that some observers say is increasing as automakers use more plant-based biodegradable materials to reduce waste. This is especially a risk for cars stored over the winter. Rats! You can buy the most reliable car on Earth and still find convoluted electrical gremlins, fluid leaks, and even outright failure when rodents take up residence and begin chewing on wiring, hoses, plastic, and other critical car parts.

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