How to Keep Rodents Out of Your Vehicle

During the fall and winter months mice and squirrels look for places that provide shelter. They like to nest in areas such as garages and vehicle engine compartments because they are looking for  warm places to nest. They are gnawing animals by nature and  they may damage  your engine by chewing through insulated wires, hoses and other engine components . They have been known to chew upholstery and even plug up the exhaust pipes.

Vehicles parked for an extended period of time are engine can save money on expensive rewiring and other repair bills.

Some people will tell you that if you remove a food source, rodents will disappear but  this is not always the case.  Here are  a few home remedies to eliminate your rodent problem.:

  Spray small animal repellent on parts of the vehicle that don't get hot like  the front tires,  undercarriage and the bumper.


  Spread some ground hot pepper the areas where the squirrel may be gaining entry. A  dose around your  tires and along the bumper will likely to drive off squirrels and  other animals hanging around. Cayenne pepper works well but habanera  pepper seems to work better.

  Put mothballs beneath the hood, especially around the wires that squirrels seem to enjoy munching. (Squirrels are usually repelled by the odor of mothballs).


   Lay dryer sheets throughout the interior, in the trunk and under the hood. Stick a couple in the exhaust pipe ( mice hate the smell of the dryer sheets).



Try one or several methods together. Just remember to remove your rodent-proofing precautions if they are in your motor or exhaust pipe before you start your vehicle.