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How do you prevent rats from getting to your car engine?

How can I prevent rats from getting into my car engine? I've had rats crawl into my engine and make a nest on two different occasions!

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Joshua Levy · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Yuck! Rats are definitely not an animal you want living inside your car. Luckily, you can prevent rats from getting to your car engine.
You can do this by keeping all the entrances closed and putting a cap on your muffler. But even with those precautions, rodents will sometimes find their way inside. Use these tips to keep them out:
  • Park in the garage. Rodents are more common on the street than they are in your house. Keep your car inside and do what you can to keep the rodents out.
  • Clean your car.
    Keeping your car clean
    of food and crumbs can make your car much less appealing to rats and mice.
  • Use peppermint oil. Peppermint oil is a natural rodent-repellent. Spraying your engine or leaving oil-soaked cotton balls in the cabin can keep the rats at bay.
  • Cedar shavings. Cedar contains phenols, which are toxic to rats. Sprinkling Cedar chips, sawdust, or mulch around your car will usually keep them away.
  • Traps. If you already have a rodent issue, setting traps can catch existing invaders and scare off others.
If you’re taking these steps and still experiencing rodent issues, then you may need professional help. While paying for a thorough clean and an exterminator can be expensive, you can always offset the price by saving on insurance with
Jerry
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