How to Mouse-proof my ITS?

[eric123406109]

Hi - I tried to search, but somehow can't find anything. I can't imagine I'm the only one that has had this concern.

I just returned from a service, and they found that mice have been chewing up my cabin air filter (CAF). Does anyone know where the inlet to the CAF is, so that I may cover it with some mesh?

Also, are there other points of entry that I should try to cover up?

Any guidance would be most appreciated!

Thank you
Eric

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[TopazM3]

Mice can get into most anything. I live on the edge of a forest. I spend 3-4 months in Florida for the winter. I leave four cars in two garages. My mouse prevention regimen includes numerous baited traps in the garages. There are several poison boxes in each. I put bags of mothballs in each engine compartment, under the car and anywhere else that seems risky. I also have exterior bait boxes year round.

The only really effective technique is a full time cat patrol, which I don’t have. The noise makers don’t seem to do anything. Good luck.

 

[Underdog]

Here’s one for my Legacy, that I made out of gutter guard. On top is a 12v rodent deterrent (strobe and ultrasonic clicker) that I plug into my battery tender when the car sits for anything longer than a couple of weeks. Did similar on my old Tacoma that lived outside - I live in the woods so rodents were always living in my cabin fan before that. I’ll do the same for my Integra if I ever have the cowl off.

Basically just bent it until it had a nice snug fit. I think the edge grommet was a piece of vacuum line I put a slice in, and gorilla glued in place.

 

[FW14B]

get a cat in your house. That deters mice without harmful substances or traps.

 

[faiam200]

I’m not sure if it really works — or if it’s just been luck — but from what I found while researching, it seems that rodents don’t like the smell of peppermint. They recommended using peppermint essential oil and applying it around the engine. What I do is apply a small amount to a cloth and rub it on a few sections of the engine bay, about once a month. So far, it’s worked for me — I used to have a rodent roaming around the engine, and I haven’t seen it since.

 

[dmd2005]

I use Dr Doom rodent repellent spray in my engine bay. I’ve had my Toyota Tundra wiring harness chewed up 3 times prior to using this product. Smells a bit like pine. I’ve also heard putting Irish Spring soap bars around the engine bay deters rodents.

 

[boosted_canoe]

i had wasps use the foam cover on my HPFP to make a nest. i bought some Little Trees Pine scented air fresheners and put one each on my front strut mounts in the engine bay. Then every week or so I'd spray the air freshener trees with peppermint oil. Haven't had a problem with any rodents or insects since doing that.

 

[creaturemachine]

I had to put a poison bait box under the hood, lodged near the strut tower, until the little fucker died. Under the hood was mildly annoying, but I went to war once I found mouse shit in the back seat where my kid had dropped some candy.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

get a cat in your house. That deters mice without harmful substances or traps.

I've got a cat and a recent mouse problem too. Bro pulls bunnies like it's no biggie, but let's the mice slide... Sweet little asshole.

Here he is today with the Easter bunny in his mouth... Really messed with my 5yo who told me he "saw the cat trying to take the skin off and eat the bunny while it was alive"... He's a Maine coon so that bunny is larger than it looks.

 

[elh0102]

A friend stores his car over the winter, and he had mouse problems. His solution was to buy a CarBag, and he has had total success with it. I don't know how much money and effort you want to expend, but it might be an option. I think they have a web site.

 

[creaturemachine]

I've got a cat and a recent mouse problem too. Bro pulls bunnies like it's no biggie, but let's the mice slide... Sweet little asshole.

Here he is today with the Easter bunny in his mouth... Really messed with my 5yo who told me he "saw the cat trying to take the skin off and eat the bunny while it was alive"... He's a Maine coon so that bunny is larger than it looks.

Bro knows what's good.

 

[boosted_canoe]

I've got a cat and a recent mouse problem too. Bro pulls bunnies like it's no biggie, but let's the mice slide... Sweet little asshole.

Here he is today with the Easter bunny in his mouth... Really messed with my 5yo who told me he "saw the cat trying to take the skin off and eat the bunny while it was alive"... He's a Maine coon so that bunny is larger than it looks.

the problem with cats is they like to jump on the car and scratch it with their claws

 

[Victorofhavoc]

the problem with cats is they like to jump on the car and scratch it with their claws

Mostly agree, however, he's been really good about keeping them retracted. Occasionally I find paw prints on the hood and roof, and sometimes I'm out in the driveway or cul-de-sac and he's just watching from the roof off the car. No scratches that I've found, but those areas are also PPFd on my car.

I recently found some pest specific expanding foam. I filled every nook and cranny I could find around the house and garage when I had some mice in the floorboards. It's been 5 days now and I haven't heard any noises since. Time will tell if it was enough, but usually getting the lower area cracks is typically key.

 

[eric123406109]

Thanks All!

What I'm really looking for is any advice about putting screen over any openings. I found a YouTube video about removing the Cowl, but it did not show me what the ventilation opening under the cowl looked like. Also, are there openings in the trunk area (usually that release cabin air / allow doors to close easier) that may need covering?

Any such advice/experience/insight would be greatly appreciated!

Eric

 

[eric123406109]

Mostly agree, however, he's been really good about keeping them retracted. Occasionally I find paw prints on the hood and roof, and sometimes I'm out in the driveway or cul-de-sac and he's just watching from the roof off the car. No scratches that I've found, but those areas are also PPFd on my car.

I recently found some pest specific expanding foam. I filled every nook and cranny I could find around the house and garage when I had some mice in the floorboards. It's been 5 days now and I haven't heard any noises since. Time will tell if it was enough, but usually getting the lower area cracks is typically key.

We have 2 cats - but I won't let them outdoors...

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