Mice around engine bay

TheDan

TheDan

Active member
 Warwick, UK
Started my car up this morning and noticed a little mouse pop its head up from beneath the scuttle... :|

Anyone know a good way to get mice out of nook and crannies in the engine bay? Also a good way to keep them out?
 
Tuck a few box type mouse traps under the bonnet and around the car, frequent visual checks, thats about all you can do,they can cause all sorts of damage to trim and wiring.
 
Haha, thanks for the replies guys. Got a cat... unfortunately it stays indoors :pinch:

Will get some traps and put them in and around the engine bay.

Out of curiosity, would they be able to get from the engine bay into the cabin?
 
I have ultrasonic transmittors in the garages to ensure I keep them out.

Especially as my neighbours two months old Range Rover had 10k worth of damage from chewed cables ... :cry:
 
They will find their way in, its surprising how small a gap they can get through, good suggestion about the ultrasonic transmitter as long as you have mains power in the garage. Check the air filter housing, they like to get in them and chew the filter up for nest material.
 
I use traps(4) in the garage, 2 under car, ultrasonic transmitters (3) and mothballs in the trunk/cabin/engine bay. Not sure mothballs do anything. I read it somewhere. Overkill, yes.No problems yet.
 
Just been looking at ultrasonic transmitters for keeping mice away, fair amount on the web saying they don't work some say mice get used to the noise and end up ignoring them. Anyone comment on their findings using these devices?
 
I also found the same feedback colb.

I have got some normal spring traps I will put on top of the tyres and under the car. I also just bought some peppermint spray that I will spray on almost everything in the engine bay to stop them chewing stuff.

This evening I am going to take the scuttle off and clear out any leaves as this is where I saw the mouse and reckon this might be where it made its nest. Finally, I'll check the air filter to see if its made its way into there.
 
pvr said:
I have ultrasonic transmittors in the garages to ensure I keep them out.

Especially as my neighbours two months old Range Rover had 10k worth of damage from chewed cables ... :cry:
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+1 :thumbsup: I had mice nest in a Sierra in the nineties fortunately it was only the foam sound proofing (yes it had some) by the battery that they chewed for bedding - what a mess but no real damage. Apart from where they ate into my coat pocket for a chocolate bar which is why I started looking. Put the ultrasonic clickers in and no more mice. I've since got a '38 Roller and I can't imagine the cost of a mouse nest now!
 
colb said:
They will find their way in, its surprising how small a gap they can get through, good suggestion about the ultrasonic transmitter as long as you have mains power in the garage. Check the air filter housing, they like to get in them and chew the filter up for nest material.
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If you can slide a pencil under it you can a mouse through!
 
The scuttle tray has some drains with flaps over the bottom of them to stop mice getting in. Be good to check them too although I'm not sure if they actually stop the mice or just deter them.
 
Mice do not like the smell of peppermint. I've doused some rags before and stuck them under the bonnet and wheel arches.

Makes the car stink though
 
mmm-five said:
Has the car been de-catted :?
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Haha, very nearly gave a serious answer to that :rofl:

dhobbs said:
The scuttle tray has some drains with flaps over the bottom of them to stop mice getting in. Be good to check them too although I'm not sure if they actually stop the mice or just deter them.
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That's good to know. I'll check those. Do you know whereabouts along the scuttle they are? Towards the edges I assume? I am going to give as much of the engine bay a peppermint spray as possible tomorrow morning.
 
Drains are at each end of the scuttle cover, if you look inside the engine bay you will see the rubber drain running down the firewall, it has a flap on the end to keep mice out but allow water to seep out. There is a centre drain just behind the cam cover, that one usually gets blocked solid with debris. The end drains exit at the front of the sills.
 
So... spent an hour or so on this today.

First I took the scuttle trim off (breaking all but 1 plastic clip in the process :-|) and found what looks to be the perfect little mouse nest...

IMG_20210306_150700.jpg

Cleaned everything out as well as all 3 drain chutes and sprayed some diluted peppermint oil under the scuttle trim. Out of curiosity, on the passenger side under the scuttle trim there is this, what is it/where does it go?

IMG_20210306_152233.jpg

Put everything back together and checked the air filter box for any sign of mice chewing. Filter was still pristine.

Finally did a few more checks of areas they might be from above and below. Couldn't see any more signs of mice/nests so sprayed a bit more peppermint oil in places they might want to reside and bob's your uncle. Hopefully it keeps them away for a while at least.

PS Its a good job I really like the smell of peppermint :D
 
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