How to keep the mice at bay?

[SteveG]

I know there are lots of posts where mice are mentioned but I didn't see any that answered the question as to how/where are they getting into my Maverick? I have a 23 EB, Lariat. It is always garaged but I still get the occasional mouse making its way into my truck. I don't keep any kind of bird or pet food in the garage that might attract mice, but they still keep coming. I have traps set up in the garage, where I catch one every other month or so, and, as of yesterday, in my truck (I caught one there overnight last night). Even though I have a newer garage that is well sealed from the outside intruders they find a way in.

Does anyone know for sure where they are gaining access? If so, is there an aftermarket screen I can install? I had something like that installed by Toyota when the mice chewed up the AC unit on my wife's Prius a few years ago.

I appreciate any feedback on tried-and-true methods of stopping the mice.

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[icegradner]

They can get in through the air vents, including the one behind the backseat.

 

[Deleted member 5597]

Where inside of your truck are they getting? Engine? In the bed? In the cab?
You can get rodent repellent at your local big box home fix or store. There are some that come in little bags and had an odor that mice don’t like. Other than that, they don’t like the smell of cayenne pepper nor peppermint. There’s also pellets you can spread in your grass leading to your shed.
Mice like peanut butter and Slim Jim’s. I’ve used the teeth claw traps and either one in the little cup in the trap and that usually does the trick for catching them.
I had a check engine light come on in my ‘22 Ford Escape. I took it to the dealer, and squirrels were building a nest and chewed my wires. Thankfully, it was still under warranty. I used all of the above methods to keep the squirrels from coming back.

 

[jerrisn]

Use dryer sheets

https://pestkill.org/mice/dryer-sheets/

 

[JRADD]

I recently had a squirrel deposit something (nut)?between the rotor and caliper. Sounded like a lug nut in a hubcap when I drove it. Dealer removed the nut? but "because it was not a Ford problem" they charged me to extract it.. Had to take rotor off. Your dealer covered the squirrel damage under warranty?

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I recently had a squirrel deposit something (nut)?between the rotor and caliper. Sounded like a lug nut in a hubcap when I drove it. Dealer removed the nut? but "because it was not a Ford problem" they charged me to extract it.. Had to take rotor off. Your dealer covered the squirrel damage under warranty?

That was most likely a "don't tell cover".

 

[NJBob]

I have tried all kinds of stuff. Ultrasonic, dryer sheets, irish spring soap, mothballs. The only thing that works has been the spring traps. Try and clear any clutter in your garage and clear any vegetation around the outside. Maybe put some bait boxes outside around the garage. Not the best for the environment. But they work.

 

[MaverickSVT]

Get your vehicle fluid filmed

 

[Jman79]

Do you have mice in the house or other locations?

Perhaps a wider effort to make the whole property less mouse friendly?

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Get your vehicle fluid filmed

With sticky pad fluid???

 

[JCGross]

A murder bucket would work well in a garage, better than a spring trap. Fill the 5 gallon bucket with water or antifreeze if unheated and scoop them out with a kitty litter scoop in the morning. The teeter lids are reasonably priced on Amazon. Amazon.com : Mice Mouse Trap Bucket Flip Lid,Mouse Trap Bucket Indoor Outdoor,Humane Mouse Trap,Mouse Trap Bucket Lid Auto Reset | 5 Gallon Bucket Compatible | Mouse Trap Bucket Lid (1 Pack) : Patio, Lawn & Garden

 

[Speed2000]

Rent a cat from a cat lady

 

[Exranger]

My truck got attacked when new. $500 damage to wiring plus they chewed the washer bottle. I was . I got mouse spray from Home Depot and it has worked. About every 2 weeks I spray the front wheel wells for a few seconds, and a rag under the car.

 

[TomBill]

Get some mouse repellent spray in addition to the other traps.

The house I grew up in, my mom still live there, has an very old block foundation. We had mice in the basement all the time growing up. About 5 years ago, I found this and now she sprays around the foundation / doors late summer and fall and never has mice anymore. Very effective for her.

It contains peppermint oil and cinnamon oil, which mice apparently don't like.

 

[Curt]

Garlic and chili finely ground mixed into petroleum jelly paste, applied with a tongue depressor at several spots under the hood, for example.

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