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Mice problems

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by pad, Jul 17, 2012.

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  1. pad

    pad Formula 3

    Sep 30, 2004
    1,426
    Tequesta, FL
    Full Name:
    Paul Delatush
    #1 pad, Jul 17, 2012
    This past spring, when I removed one of my cars that I kept stored in an out-building, I discovered it was completely inhabited by mice. There were nests in the trunk, interior, engine compartment and up the muffler. There was even a nest in the glove compartment. Needless to say, the stench was overwhelming. After I removed all the mice (live and dead), along with their nests with my shop vac, I purchased special mice urine enzyme spray neutralizers and soaked the entire car. However, nothing removed the odor. I finally stripped the car, scrubbed down all metal surfaces, washed (multiple times) all the rugs, treated the leather and replaced all the under mats. I finally got the car back together the other night. Ok, the question is what works on keeping mice out of cars during storage short of getting some cats? Any first hand experiences out there? I heard mothballs work, but I hate that smell almost as much as mice urine.
     
  2. Ferraridoc

    Ferraridoc F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 20, 2012
    17,265
    Gold Coast, Aust.
    Full Name:
    Patrick
    #2 Ferraridoc, Jul 17, 2012
    I had a similar problem when I bought my QV - "stored" in a farmer's shed. They didn't get into the cabin, but everywhere else. Take the front trim out from the spare tyre carrier and check your HVAC pipes - they're fabric and paper, and I bet they're all chewed up with dead bodies, crap, grass and corn cobs everywhere.

    Also take out the carpet in the boot and check the insulation in the boot floor and firewall (you can see it through the fibreglass) - they love to chew the cellulose wool and make tunnels through it.

    I stripped out all of the above to bare metal, cleaned, deodourised, and left it in the hot sun every chance I got for months. That was 3 years ago - I've replaced the boot padding and carpet, but still haven't got the HVAC back together yet.

    Good luck

    Patrick
     
  3. Steve King

    Steve King F1 Rookie

    Feb 15, 2001
    4,367
    NY
    #3 Steve King, Jul 17, 2012
    I put little boxes of decon around the car and inside. Keep checking on them and renew as needed. Never had a problem. Oh also place a bucket of water away from the car and empty it every few weeks. After they eat the decon they look for water and die.
     
  4. Jeff328

    Jeff328 Formula 3

    Sep 5, 2006
    2,293
    WI
    #4 Jeff328, Jul 17, 2012
    Mothballs don't work. Dryer sheets don't work. Irish Spring soap doesn't work.

    The only thing that works is eliminating the existing population and excluding new arrivals.
     
  5. 8339

    8339 Karting

    Oct 17, 2006
    194
    Maryland
    Full Name:
    Richard
    #5 8339, Jul 18, 2012
    I have delt with a lot of mouse infested cars. I found a product called Fresh Cab, it's a rodent repellent that smells like a christmas tree. Mice cannot stand the smell, it actually smells good. For a car in storage you can place these large tea bag sized containers in the interior, engine compartment and trunk. I have customers that place them anywhere they think mice could be getting into thier storage area. So far they seem to work extremely well.
     
  6. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 13, 2005
    96,225
    Fuggetaboutitland
    Full Name:
    Bob
    #6 staatsof, Jul 18, 2012
  7. pad

    pad Formula 3

    Sep 30, 2004
    1,426
    Tequesta, FL
    Full Name:
    Paul Delatush
    #7 pad, Jul 18, 2012
    I just ordered a 3 months supply of Fresh Cab - $37.50. Cheap price compared to what I spent rectifying the damage done by the mice. I'll keep you posted as to its effectiveness. I'd get an outdoors cat, but it would probably end up using the car as a litterbox.
     
  8. robbie

    robbie F1 Rookie

    Aug 26, 2005
    3,015
    Los Gatos, CA
    Full Name:
    Robert
    #8 robbie, Jul 18, 2012
  9. pippo

    pippo Formula 3

    Sep 25, 2005
    1,913
    FL
    Full Name:
    pippopotemus
    #9 pippo, Jul 18, 2012
    It might work- I wouldnt bet on it, and would pay that $$ for evergreen oil. Thats what it is, basically. many complaints on that product .

    Also, dont nedd to buy Tomcat Brand- all these brands carry same active ingredient- dicoumarin (or similar blood pooling agent). its an anticoagulant that makes them bleed internally. Its old , low tech, but effective stuff. Buy Brand X.
     

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