Rats in my engine compartment!

[DeepDive]

Probably discussed earlier, but both German and Japanese car manufacturers, in an effort to be environmentally responsible, use biodegradable wire coverings that it turns out are actually edible for rats. Ongoing issue with my wife’s BMW, so I’ll definitely be employing some of the recommendations made here!

 

[rjmh]

im just glad i live in a place that is rat free

We still have birds

 

[Kiet2k]

What is the theory- it leaves them exposed so they don’t mess with the engine when you prop the hood open?

In cold weather, the engine bay is a perfect toasty den after your drive. Once they find their way to a nice warm place, they will keep coming back. It happens to me during the winter months. I used glue traps. Scent sprays did not work for me.

 

[Torin]

My parents had the same issues in north central Florida with squirrels. the insurance company paid out over 2 grand twice. they finally got wise to the plant based wire covering on the main electrical harness and purchase these (see attached) and have not had a problem in the last 2 years.

 

[4WheelDrive2024]

Suggest these from Amazon

Ultrasonic Rodent Repellent for Car Engine - Battery Powered Under Hood Animal Repeller with Flashing Strobe Light, Keeps Rats and Mice Away from Vehicle, Automobile, Truck, Garage, Attic, Pack of 2​

 

[Gen]

I use peppermint essential oil drops every month to keep critters out

Using these straight or diluted? Where are you putting it? I have that on hand so that sounds pretty simple.

 

[ultane]

Suggest these from Amazon

Ultrasonic Rodent Repellent for Car Engine - Battery Powered Under Hood Animal Repeller with Flashing Strobe Light, Keeps Rats and Mice Away from Vehicle, Automobile, Truck, Garage, Attic, Pack of 2​

I’ve heard from several people that the ultrasonic devices don’t work…

 

[Mikie]

I’ve heard from several people that the ultrasonic devices don’t work…

That's been my experience. See my post #24 above...

 

[ET2041]

There have been cases of the Bubonic Plague in your neck of the woods and places out west. Now is the time to avoid Rats as much as humanely possible.

 

[SnakeMagnet]

I had a problem with rats in Arizona. My best results were from (1) leaving the hood partially or completely open all night, and (2) leaving a light on underneath the engine compartment all night. They apparently like their privacy, and these counter measures make them insecure.

 

[ultane]

I had a problem with rats in Arizona. My best results were from (1) leaving the hood partially or completely open all night, and (2) leaving a light on underneath the engine compartment all night. They apparently like their privacy, and these counter measures make them insecure.

Welcome to the asylum.

I’ve started using a peppermint oil spray from Bezoar’s place.

No more problems (yet).

 

[Lineman]

I don’t know if this has been recommended? I saw this stuff in a video that some are using to repel vermin.

Banish Rodent Deterrent

Formulated with essential oils that deliver a smell and taste developed to deter mice, rats, and other rodents from burrowing into a vehicle’s engine compartment and undercarriage.

mocproducts.com

I can’t vouch for the product.

 

[DuckNuggets]

I actually appreciate the simplicity of the hood having no struts and lights.

After two nests, I ended up propping the hood up with an 8-in 2x4. I think it not only helps reduce rat privacy but also cools the engine down quicker so it's a less viable spot. Also helps that there's no light to drain the battery. I mean, I'm going to checking under the hood anyway so why not have it already propped?

 

[ChrisMA1B]

This has been something that I've always been concerned about when camping, with past cars and my new LC as well. When camping, every day I always check the engine compartment at least once for any signs of visitors... I checked yesterday afternoon, and all was well. But when I checked early (before daylight) this am, four rats had made a HUGE mess of leaves, grass, etc. on top of the engine. I chased them out (as best I could), and cleaned up all of their mess -- but of the four, I still have two scurrying around in the engine bay, even after a two hour drive home from the camping area. I've set up some traps, so hopefully I'll be able to catch them before they do any real damage (i.e. mess with the wiring...)

Interestingly, and somewhat shockingly, this morning I heard some commotion in the air intake, and when I popped the top off and lifted the filter, there were two (live) rats sitting there in the box!!! I'm really surprised that Toyota didn't put some sort of intake block on, at least something that would keep out large rats!!!!

I went to my local Ace Hardware and they have a spray that has peppermint oil and other known rodent deterrents. I then sprayed the most likely rat or mouse attractants (wiring insulation that is made from soybeans) in my engine compartment. So far so good. I plan to spray the locations every couple of months. If you don't have an Ace Hardware near you, other hardware stores probably have the suitable rodent deterrent spray. FWIW, I also sprayed the machinery wiring in my home crawlspace, which so far is working.

 

[Mikie]

I went to my local Ace Hardware and they have a spray that has peppermint oil and other known rodent deterrents. I then sprayed the most likely rat or mouse attractants (wiring insulation that is made from soybeans) in my engine compartment. So far so good. I plan to spray the locations every couple of months. If you don't have an Ace Hardware near you, other hardware stores probably have the suitable rodent deterrent spray. FWIW, I also sprayed the machinery wiring in my home crawlspace, which so far is working.

Thanks, I've tried that as well -- I even bring a small bottle of it with me when I go camping. I can't say for sure whether or not it works at this point (I don't know what would have happened if I did not use it) -- but since I don't use it consistently, I just don't know.

That said, there is an interesting parallel thread... That being, I'm not only concerned about veeermits getting into my engine, I'm also focused on keeping everything with a scent out of my car -- since in many places that I go, bears are a real issue. And they just LOVE anything that smells sweet!

So I'm a bit between the 'ol rock and a hard place...

 

[ChrisMA1B]

Thanks, I've tried that as well -- I even bring a small bottle of it with me when I go camping. I can't say for sure whether or not it works at this point (I don't know what would have happened if I did not use it) -- but since I don't use it consistently, I just don't know.

That said, there is an interesting parallel thread... That being, I'm not only concerned about veeermits getting into my engine, I'm also focused on keeping everything with a scent out of my car -- since in many places that I go, bears are a real issue. And they just LOVE anything that smells sweet!

So I'm a bit between the 'ol rock and a hard place...

The reason I got into this spray was that mice got into my home tankless hot water heater controls in the crawlspace and chewed up $4,000 worth of wiring! So far so good...

 

[Blue Sky]

I think this has been mentioned before but Honda makes a capsaicin tape. I haven't popped for it yet because it's $40 a roll but may be something to consider for those having reoccuring issues:

https://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/oem-parts/honda-tape-rodent-19mm-20m-40192317?srsltid=AfmBOoprvxcLY6MWLUJ2wdiZ1gXyIJ_dp8U5BZ7MtFhymSukXX1OEINU

 

[pmbrothny]

https://www.amazon.com/Mighty-Mint-Repellent-Vehicle-Interiors/dp/B08BTRQRBM?tag=landcruiserforum-20

I have heard this works very well..

 

[ultane]

I plan to spray the locations every couple of months.

I very lightly mist Miss Daisy’s engine compartment and a few other locations weekly.

 

[JoeDirt]

Well, you guys can go back and look at my saga where a rat ate my main wiring harness. It was over $10k in damage and repairs by the time the work was finally done, mostly because that harness is expensive and the labor to route it is a PITA.

Here is my layered defense against these fukahs:
1. bi-weekly spray engine compartment with peppermint oil spray. Lots of options here, I get mine off Amazon.
2. Irish Spring in the box with holes punched through it. They hate this. I place them snug near each fuse box…basically one by the air intake box and the other by the main wiring harness into the fuse box. Replace monthly.
3. Wrapped my main wiring harness with a velcro wrapped heat shield. Just in case they get in there before I have a chance to catch’em, this hopefully mitigates some damage to the main harness.
4. I wrapped most other exposed wires with the Honda capsaicin tape. Expensive, yes, but not as expensive as a new harness.
5. I now garage my LC250.

So far so good. Is this overkill? No doubt. But I’m a little scarred from that first event, so I’m pulling out all the stops. It’s an ongoing battle here on the coast, believe it or not, these things are all up in the palm trees and open fields…not to mention when I head up into the High Sierras.

Hopefully this helps someone.