Q: A friend thought you could help me. A rodent caused a $3,400 repair to my car when the engine harness and insulation had to be replaced following rodent damage. I’ve read of many possible deterrents, which are discounted by some other website. Can you help me find the truth?
I rent and have no garage. No food or seeds are in the car. We have rat traps outside. I will not use poisons. What deterrent works for protecting cars?
Carolyn Kiley
A: Today we take a spin throughout the Bay Area, where rodents can wreak havoc with auto wiring. Here’s what readers have advised in the past…
Q: Irish Spring soap deters them. I put one bar in the engine of my Jaguar and another in the trunk. Rats nibbled a bit, but never stayed.
Hillary Winslow
A: Good to know.
Q: My neighbors got three cats to keep the rodent population down, but their cats use my yard as their toilet. They also scared away my bird and squirrel friends and ate most of my bug-eating lizards.
Stacy Frawley, Walnut Creek
A: And…
Q: Goodnature A24, an automatic rat and mouse trap, is toxin-free, so there is no worry of pets or children accidentally being exposed.
Ben Smith
A: Comforting to know.
Q: Our 1998 Dodge Durango has the tasty cables that rats love. I replaced our wiring harness twice. I finally found a device that has kept them away since, the P3 International Under Hood Animal Repeller.
I tie it to something around the battery, and it doesn’t move or cause any rattling. Works like a charm. The beeping is definitely audible, but not terribly annoying, unless you’re a rat.
Lisa Hazen
Q: Try dryer sheets. Tie them around various wires under the hood. Everyone in my rural neighborhood uses them.
Ellen Shehadeh, Inverness
A: Another simple solution.
Q: I have had no rodent engine compartment issues since I started using RidARat LED lights under my hood.
E.J. Finsler
A: And…
Q: Mice are repelled by the smell of peppermint oil. Put some peppermint oil/extract in a spray bottle and spray down your wiring. It works.
Mark Carbonaro
A: Good to know.
Q: My Volvo mechanic recommended spraying Febreze under the hood. I had to replace a wire harness at considerable expense. No more rat damage after I tried Febreze.
Candice Basham
A: And now for today’s final word…
Q: After having the wires chewed through under the hood of my car, and my vehicle completely disabled, my maintenance person suggested installing Mouse Blocker Pro. Works like a charm!
A: Any other tips? Cold weather drives rats to seek warm places, often car engines.
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at [email protected].
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Lifestyle News Click Here
