Car rodent proofing?

[Jessicarongitsch]

Hello,
Does anyone know who installs mesh over intake openings on vehicle in the valley? Thanks much!

[gmaier]

The local auto body shop in Twisp is great- Clintons!

[Reapward]

Great to know. I've had mine screened when I got it in 2017 elsewhere. Right now I am driving around with 3 set mouse traps in my car. I've gotten the mom and 2 small ones. How many more to go, but it's working. Might be time to see how they are getting in. sigh.

[moose]

Also available are electronic devices that hook up to your battery that emit sounds/frequencies to deter rodents. Not sure how effective they are yet as the one we have came with the new to us crv, maybe others here know if it works or not. We also have four cats

[bobeobi]

The ultrasonic devices do not work, in my experience. Neither do balsam fir sachets or Irish Spring soap (I have photographic proof of a bar of Irish Spring soap chewed up by mice).

[bavaria]

Until you get the final solution you are looking for, I highly recommend this :
get those basic wooden mouse traps (e.g. Victor) and bait them with peanut
butter. Place one trap on the ground inside each wheel.
If there is grass, cut it down and put a piece of cardboard or wood underneath
the traps. Check them every day.
If you find the peanut butter gone and the trap still under tension check for ants
munching on the peanut butter. If no signs of that then a mouse might have been
eating the bait without triggering the trap and you have to make the trap
more 'trigger happy'. You can do this by slightly bending that small metal hook
that holds the thin metal rod.
I've been doing this for years with tremendous success, even catching two almost
cat size pack rats (admission : I used a rat trap for that).
Good luck,
Peter, in Twisp.

[Jessicarongitsch]

Thanks so much! We tried the devices that flash and have a siren but the mice just treat it like a disco dance party. We've been trapping them in and around the car but would love a more permanent solution to keep them out. I appreciate the tips!

[Reapward]

Other things to try. Get the smelliest dryer sheets you can find and put them on the top of the wheels and the engine compartment, making sure they don't go anywhere they shouldn't. Kind of a hassle to take them off the tires. Also, I have parked at trailheads and that is where they have gotten into my car. Leave dryer sheets on tires while hiking.
Other thing is to wash down their paths, that is if your car is on a concrete surface. Use bleach to erase their smell.
Still get them occasionally, however, so put the traps in the car like I have now. Ugh.

[EEZ]

Here's a super easy solution at no cost. Take Peppermint Tea bags that are used and put them strategically where rodents like to hang out in your engine block or elsewhere. They hate the smell of Mint. There is also a spray product called Might Mint.

Good Luck

[imageneen]

I'm sorry that I can't remember the fella's name, but a nice man who lives on highway 20 as you begin the drive up toward Loup Loup from Twisp put screens in my Subaru about 3 years ago. I have not had mice in the interior. His house is on the left as you're going up the hill from Twisp. I believe there are chickens in their front yard, and the house isn't set back too far. Wish I could remember his name and contact info, but his work seems to be effective. Good luck!