How to Keep Mice Out of Your Car
Small animals wedge themselves into tiny spaces. Honk your car horn and provide some time to allow them to escape.
Sounds strange for a mouse to find shelter under your engine hood or in your dashboard, but as the weather cools, rodents seek that warmth and protection. Here are some tips on how to keep mice and other pests out of your vehicle!
Their choice of shelter is not just a nuisance, they could severely damage the engine, and chew belts and wires. With that, the result can cause serious malfunctions, and even car fires. A nest located in a fan or intake manifold can absolutely ignite, as the nests are made of natural materials such as dried leaves and sticks. Frayed wires could cause fires, too.
Here are a few tips:
It’s way more common than you think! Don’t assume that because you drive your car all the time that your vehicle is safe from animal damage. Just as people seek shelter during storms, so do these animals. The National Fire Protection Association warns almost 2/3 of vehicle fires are caused by faulty electrical or mechanical systems often brough on by animal damage!
Ask your mechanic or technician to check under the hood during routine service such as oil changes or tire rotations.
Park under shelter! If you have a garage or vehicle-appropriate shelter, use it! Although squirrels, mice and other small animals flourish in rural areas, they are common everywhere. Save yourself time and potential money for vehicle repairs by finding appropriate shelter.
Save yourself time and potential money for vehicle repairs by finding appropriate shelter.
Honk to scare away mice in the car! Honk your horn before you even start the engine. If your key fob has that function, you can it from a distance. Loud noises will frighten animals from the vehicle. Wait a few moments after you sound the horn before you start the car.
Small animals wedge themselves into tiny spaces. Honk your car horn and provide some time to allow them to escape.
Use deterrents! There are multiple deterrents you could deploy to help keep rodents out of your car:
- Electronic repellent: A cordless device can be placed within your car and emits a decibel tone that hurt mice and other pests, but are inaudible to humans.
- Scent replants: Cedar wood, peppermint oil, or cayenne pepper around your car. Mice naturally avoid these and are more humane alternative than using poisons.
- Traps: A quick and clean way to keep mice from invading your vehicle is to place traps on the tops of your tires as this is mostly likely their point of entry!
Check your car and surroundings! Regularly check your car. You can easily remove nests. Listen to rattles, too.
Clean up after any signs of mice! The most important thing to remember about mouse nests is to make sure you get rid of them the moment you see them. Mice droppings and urine can be infected, which can cause humans to contract when breathed in.
While wearing rubber gloves, mix household bleach with water and spray the affected areas until wet. Let it sit for a few minutes and wipe with a paper towel. Sponge the areas with bleach solution. Throw all of your cleaning materials in a plastic bag to dispose of them, and then wash your hands thoroughly with soap after removing the gloves.
Damage to your car by these pests can be significant. Your car insurance policy with Preferred Mutual can ensure that if a mouse gets the better of you, you’re protected! Talk to your independent agent today and make sure you’re getting the best possible coverage at a price you can afford!
We call that Living Assured!
Download our mobile app, MYPreferred Mobile, today, and take us with you wherever life takes you! Available from the App Store and Google Play.
This information is intended for educational purposes only and is not legal advice and/or an authoritative guide.