PriceProtect™
DriveShield™
GarageGuard™
Services
Insurance
Car Insurance
Compare Car Insurance with Jerry
Jerry’s Expert Advice
Car Insurance Estimates
Home & Renters Insurance
Renters Insurance
Loans
Car Loan
Compare Car Loans with Jerry
Jerry's Expert Advice
Car Loan Guides
Repairs
Car Repair Estimates
Repair Estimates for Popular Services
Advice
Read Car Content
Browse Jerry Car Advice
Check Out Expert Car QnA
Learn About How We Create Content
Jerry Data & Research
How do you get a rat out of your car engine?
I heard a weird sound and popped my car's hood. I saw a rat run and hide in my car engine. How do I get it out?
Lauren Smith · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“I’m so sorry to hear that you had to see that! I’m sure it’s incredibly unsettling to have a rat in your car engine. Luckily, you can get it out, but remember to be very careful. Rats often carry diseases and you don’t want to catch anything from it or the stuff it’ll leave behind.
Here are some things you can do to discourage your unwelcome guest from sticking around:
- Park your car out in the sun and leave the hood up. You don’t like sleeping where it’s too sunny and hot, and neither do rats.
- Get rid of nearby food sources. Rats love to eat and if you’ve got snacks around, they will come for it.
- Block off its commute routes. Rats are going to use vines or bushes nearby to get into your car.
- Spray your car with peppermint oil, pet fur, red pepper, dryer sheats, Rataway, Pine-Sol, or Irish Spring soap. Strong smells will deter animals from entering your car.
- Get a mouse blocker or rid-a-rat. These emit annoying sounds and will create an undesirable place for rats to stay.
- Go for more drives. An unused car is like a no-vacancy sign for a rat and they’ll move in. Driving your car more frequently can keep them from getting comfortable.
Rats will destroy all the things in your car that make it work. This can be dangerous. You can buy motor tape, designed with pepper in it, to help protect the sensitive wiring of your car. Talk to your local automotive shop about it. Not only can it get costly to replace all the wiring or to fix it, but you also don’t want to be out driving and learn that the rat cut through your breaks.
Another way to take care of your car is by making sure you have roadside assistance. With
Jerry
in your pocket, you’ll never have to worry about being stranded again. Jerry offers industry-leading roadside assistant that includes jump starts, lockout service, key replacement, and towing.I hope you can evict your unwelcome guest soon!”
View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance
You Might Also Be Interested
Read Advice From Car Experts At Jerry
What Others Are Asking
Browse More Content
Insurance in Your State
Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance
No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls
Quotes from top insurance companies
