An Arizona Guide to Keeping Mice and Packrats Out of Your Engine

Our family has never had fancy cars. Every car we own is paid off, well cared for, and has enough miles to shock most dealerships.

That’s why we take extra care of our cars. We check the oil, transmission fluid, and other basics often to keep these high-mileage cars running well.

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Finding a Rodent in the Car

Recently, my daughter opened her car’s hood to check the oil, which is a regular task for us. As soon as she lifted it, a packrat jumped out at her. She quickly closed the hood, screamed, and ran inside, her heart racing.

It was a dramatic moment, but not unexpected. We live in the country, where rodents often look for safe places to nest. For mice, packrats, and other rodents, our car engines are ideal hiding spots.

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How to Get Ahead of the Mice

Even though we try hard, mice and other rodents have still damaged at least one of our cars. Soon after the packrat incident, my daughter’s car started having electrical problems. The mechanic found that rodents had chewed the wiring.

The repair was neither quick nor Fixing the problem took time and cost a lot, but we learned how we could have prevented it. keep rodents away from your car’s wiring:

• Keep it Clean: Make sure the area around your car is free of brush, trash, and clutter. Terminex.com says that open spaces make rodents feel exposed, so they are less likely to move in.
• Deterrents: Peppermint oil or mothballs can help. Rodents do not like strong smells, so placing cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil around the engine and under the car can help keep them away. The EPA also gives advice on using repellents safely.
• Traps: You can find many types of traps at hardware stores. Some people put them on top of the front tires, where rodents like to climb. Just be sure to take them off before you drive.
• Block Entrances: Parking in a garage or using a fitted car cover can help keep rodents out, making it harder for the little critters to gain entry.
• Run the Vehicle Regularly: Even if you do not drive it every day, starting and moving the car once in a while helps keep animals from making it their home.

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An Ounce of Prevention

We found out firsthand how costly and damaging rodent problems can be, but you can avoid them. Taking a few simple steps now can save you a lot of trouble later. Keep your car’s area clean and check under the hood more often than you might think is necessary.