Keeping rodents out of truck

[Edge Haley]

Good friend is a doctor of entomologist and biologist. He's convinced me:

The only results are to take total control of the general area around the vehicle. Mechanical traps probably work best and leave the dead rats there for a day or two, get rid of any food source...and if you have to, include poison. Repeat baited traps til you see no more rats. The Dr says rats in particular are very smart animals and will normally recognize the deaths are due to traps or poison and avoid the area. Once a nest is built it's harder to get rid of them so get ride of nests asap. Keep repeating the traps/poison until there are none seen. Did this with my remote cabin and have not seen a rat in years. Poison and traps inside a vehicle could leave a smelly mess inside a vehicle. There's too many opening in the Maverick to even try to block all the little holes in the body work, fender wells, etc.

Wire mess over air intake holes held on securely with wire with keep rats out of air filters. Some older vehicle wiring used to have electrical wiring with coating of soy bean by-products but most car companies claim to have banned its use.

Sponsored

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Is this a typical problem with other vehicles?

I’ve never had issues with rats, but I’ve seen this posted a handful of times on this forum. Something specific to the maverick ?

Not specifically the maverick but the go green movement has brought soy based wire insulation to the forefront. I had rats in my 2018 Nissan pickup eat $5400 harness and battery cables as well as the fuze box. Soy beans are food!

 

[ejouie]

cats

 

[JimParker256]

Rats and mice (and rabbits and squirrels, for that matter) also just like to gnaw on stuff - just 'cause it's there...

 

[Bear]

When I stored my Mini Cooper for the winter a mechanic told me to click on the air recirculation button so it closes the vents. This will close the vents so outside air doesn't get inside of the car. With the vents closed it will make it a bit harder for the mice getting inside.

 

[atomguy245]

Bingo!!!!

This. It's now warm enough for the cat to stay outside overnights. She will start bringing me presents

 

[Maverickent]

Bingo!!!!

She thinks about murder-all day every day

 

[Maverickent]

When I stored my Mini Cooper for the winter a mechanic told me to click on the air recirculation button so it closes the vents. This will close the vents so outside air doesn't get inside of the car. With the vents closed it will make it a bit harder for the mice getting inside.

That's worth trying, but I wonder if they will default to open when you shut it off. There are so many default things on new vehicles.

 

[TC in MN]

Use fabric softener, Cling is what I use, for keeping rodents eating rubber / plastic in my shed; on snowblower / lawnmower, sometimes necessary to tape on.

 

[Maverickent]

Fresh Cab botanical rodent repellent is a fast-acting pest control product made to repel mice and keep them from coming back. The pouch contains a mix of plant fibers and essential oils including balsam fir oil. Place in areas where rodents tend to hide, feed, or seek nesting sites.


I've used this under the hood of my last vehicle after finding mysteriously severed injector wires on one cylinder. My coworker also experienced something similar. By no means am I endorsing Fresh Cab, nor saying it's effective. I have no tangible evidence that it works. However, it's cheap enough, and smells great IMO. At least it's doing something that won't harm your truck if you find a safe place to tie it up under your hood.

I've told this story on here before, but it's worth repeating. Another coworker could not start her car one morning, so she had it towed to the shop. When they opened the hood, they found many of the wires with all the coating melted off. At about that time, a ground squirrel(woodchuck) ran out from under it. The staff chased it around the shop until they were able to bash the shit out of it with a shovel and breaker bar. The repairs were like $1200, if I remember right.

 

[mcluvin]

If it has’t been mentioned, Buckets of used kitty litter placed around the vehicle are supposed to work too.

 

[carmigo]

My cat is on it. I have to be careful or he'll bring them into the house to share with me.

He just wants to show you what a good job he did. Sweet boy <3

 

[NJBob]

Good friend is a doctor of entomologist and biologist. He's convinced me:

The only results are to take total control of the general area around the vehicle. Mechanical traps probably work best and leave the dead rats there for a day or two, get rid of any food source...and if you have to, include poison. Repeat baited traps til you see no more rats. The Dr says rats in particular are very smart animals and will normally recognize the deaths are due to traps or poison and avoid the area. Once a nest is built it's harder to get rid of them so get ride of nests asap. Keep repeating the traps/poison until there are none seen. Did this with my remote cabin and have not seen a rat in years. Poison and traps inside a vehicle could leave a smelly mess inside a vehicle. There's too many opening in the Maverick to even try to block all the little holes in the body work, fender wells, etc.

Wire mess over air intake holes held on securely with wire with keep rats out of air filters. Some older vehicle wiring used to have electrical wiring with coating of soy bean by-products but most car companies claim to have banned its use.

Never knew the soy wiring is no longer used. Thanks

 

[NJBob]

When I stored my Mini Cooper for the winter a mechanic told me to click on the air recirculation button so it closes the vents. This will close the vents so outside air doesn't get inside of the car. With the vents closed it will make it a bit harder for the mice getting inside.

Good tip! I has rodent issues with my mr2 spyder, stored it outside in a portable garage for the winter. Damage almost totaled the car. But to have an issue in a month is insane. My issues were always entering the colder months. Regular driving helps too. Other than traps and poison I think all that other stuff is dubious at best.

 

[LSchicago]

Never had that problem on any vehicle. I did have a racoon issue once from leaving a window down. My Pit took care of it and my entire interior was destroyed when she was done.

Sponsored