Keep rabbits, rodents, and mice out of your vehicle by keeping it in a warm, secure area. Keeping the car clean will also discourage rats, and traps can help you stop animals from getting to close.
Rabbits and mice are on the constant hunt for warm, safe places to call home. Your car may be on the top of their list of dream homes.
This is because cars are often parked outside, near trash cans or other food sources, stay warm for long periods of time after being used, and are dark inside. Rodents and rabbits are attracted to these qualities, so it's not uncommon for them to take refuge in your car.
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What damage can rodents and rabbits do?
Aside from being a nuisance, rodents and rabbits can do quite a bit of damage
to a vehicle. This damage can range from simply annoying to quite dangerous. Some possible damage can include: Chewed up wiring. The most common damage that rabbits and rodents cause to a vehicle is to their wiring. Aside from the need to replace or repair damaged wiring, shorts can happen. This causes fires or systems to malfunction, such as power steering, which can cause a crash or other incident.
Torn-up air filters. Rats will tear up cabin air filters to build nests with the soft material. In addition to having to prematurely replace your filter, your filter might just spray rat smells.
Nests in the vehicle. Animals will also nest inside a vehicle engine compartment, near the battery, or around the driveshaft. Not only does this mean you can have several pounds of nesting material in your car that will need to be cleaned out, it also means you could have a mess on your hands when you start your car next.
Smell and bacteria. Having animal excrement and dander around a car’s air filter can push airborne bacteria into the cabin of the vehicle, which has the potential to make occupants quite sick. Animals that don't survive the car starting or being driven can create a horrid stench
that will require extensive cleaning to remedy.
How to keep rabbits and mice out of your car
Make your car hard to get to. More often, rodents, rabbits, or other animals only get into a vehicle because it’s easy. They don’t go out of their way to make a car their home. Keep your car garaged and keep your garage clean.
Don’t let the problem grow. During colder months, you may notice an animal or two near your car or on the hood, and you could even find animals under the hood. Make sure to scare animals away, and frequently check your engine compartment for signs of rodents. If you spot droppings, nest materials, or frayed wires, remove the rodent yourself or call for help immediately, then assess and fix any damage.
Keep food away from the car. Keep your car away from food to help keep the rabbits and rodents away from your car. This includes dog or cat food, bird seed, and even trash cans.
Keep them out in the first place. If you live in an area where animals may be attracted to the warmth and shelter of your car, there are a few steps you can take to keep the rabbits, mice, and other rodents away.
Some openings can be blocked with wire mesh. It is recommended to check with your manufacturer or mechanic
before doing so to make sure you do not inadvertently cause damage to the vehicle. Set traps around the vehicle or on the wheels near the wheel-well to catch them before they make it into the car.
There are also several natural products people swear by to keep the rats away, from peppermint oil to mothballs.
Damage to your car’s electrical system can be serious. Damages can result in an electrical fire or even a crash should a safety system be impacted by the damage. Reduce the possibility of danger, car damage, and rodent smells by staying alert and keeping your vehicle rodent and rabbit free.
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FAQs
How do I get a rat out of my car?
If you find a rat in your car, the best course of action is to safely capture it and release the animal away from the car, then extensively clean the vehicle. You can also use traps to lure the animal out of the car.
When you find a rat in the engine or air filter, you can flood the engine with light, use strong odors, and remove food from the area in order to deter the rodents away. If all fails, you should hire an exterminator to help.
How can I stop rabbits from chewing my car wiring?
Besides the strategies discussed in this article to keep animals out of your car, you can stop rabbits from chewing your wiring by using retail animal repellents.
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