Keeping mice out

[Fanatical Meat]

hey guys my neighbor is having trouble with mice getting into her cars engine, they've chewed up some wires, windshield washer line and the air filter. She is elderly and doesn't drive much. Any suggestions to keep mice away besides moth balls?

 

[RLGL]

moth balls do not repel mice. Bonide and others have a spearmint smelling thing that repels mice

 

[shortylickens]

 

[Raizinman]

I also had a neighbor who had problems with their tractor in barn with mice (I live in the rural area). He used one of those ultrasonic mice repellers that can be purchased for about $39 for a package of six. He put four of them (way overkill) around his tractor and his barn never saw another mouse. Check Amazon.com or similar place to purchase.

 

[marincounty]

I read somewhere that the scented dryer sheets will keep rodents away. Put one in each corner under the hood.

 

[C1]

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-maintenance/how-to-protect-your-car-from-rodents/

There seems to be various devices (ultra sound emitters) available which wire in to operate continuously, but have no idea how effective ultra sound is.

https://axleaddict.com/auto-repair/Mice-in-Your-Motor

 

[mindless1]

Sticky traps, or poison bait so long as pets won't eat it.

 

[Thump553]

I had mice nesting under the cabin air filter and the engine air filter in three different cars. In one car (VW) they ate holes in insulation attached under the hood. These are cars driven daily.

Moth balls did seem to work but I hated having the car smell like a old person's closet. I switched to peppermint oil (got from Amazon). Sprinkle some on the air filters once a month or so, no more mouse problems in over a year.

Downside is the first time I do this treatment I have to drive with the windows open for a while till the smell dissipates.

I also used traps but mice reproduce so fast it seems futile. DON'T use poisoned bait unless you don't care about injuring/killing the hawks, owls and eagles in your area.

 

[IronWing]

I have no idea if it actually worked.