Rat infestation inside cars is an age-old dilemma of owners in India as well as across the world. Once inside a vehicle, rodents, especially mice and rats, can cause significant damages that make a hard pinch in our pockets and a low blow to our self-esteem. Because their habitation inside our cars, aside from being unhygienic, can lead to dangerous consequences as well. How to protect cars from rats – one can only hope that they will never need to look it up on the internet or consult others about it.
Cars can be termed as an extension of one’s personality. Since it has become our constant companion to everyday transport, be it on a romantic drive, boys/girls night out, or touring with family members – the ambiance inside must be maintained. The space inside cars should have an appealing charm that welcomes people – friends & family – allowing them to have a good time.
However, not every life form is invited, specifically rodents. Since the predicament has presented itself ever since the invention of cars, various remedies have also been proposed for protecting cars from rats. There are different remedies to keep rodents (mice and rats) out.
How to Protect Car From Rats & Mice in India: Steps & Methods
Some helpful ways to keep any kind of rodent out of your car are enlisted here. You can opt from any of the following as per your vehicle, problem-causing scenario, in-hand resources, and surroundings. Moreover, you can also make the interior a living hell for mice and rats by combining multiple methods from this list of how to protect a car from rats.
Steps To Follow:
- Sweep the area for any kind of rodent activity or breeding ground at your parking spot daily and eliminate them. Parking spots should not be around messy areas like bushy areas & grassy areas. To sum up, take extra care of your parking space and keep it hygienic, clutter-free.
- Mice and rats are attracted to all kinds of foods, be it human or cat/dog or livestock seed – therefore, no food inside the car has to be a strict policy to be followed.
- An ample amount of lighting also helps in keeping the rats away. In the daytime, make sure the car gets enough sunlight; while at night, keep it halted in an area with sufficient lighting.
- Peppermint oil is an excellent home remedy to keep the mice and rats at bay. But, of course, since they have a keen sense of smell, it goes without saying that this ability comes with few downsides.
- Block the entry point once you’ve discovered it through searching or by a stroke of luck. If you cannot do it on your own, hire a mechanic.
- Motion-sensing vibrators are in the market, which spawns a low-frequency sound that negatively affects rodents. This, however, is a one-time expense.
- A healthy, vibrating heart of the engine is a plus point. But, if the car sits idly for an extended amount of time, it becomes the ideal place of habitation for mice and rats.
- Pets can help you in keeping the rodents out. Mice and rats are not likely to familiarise themselves with bigger predators so that they will keep their distance from your car and your house altogether.
- Mousetrap is one the oldest tricking mechanisms there is, and you can be benefitted by placing them near your car.
- Poison should be your last resort because it has more downsides. One, if the rat dies inside a ventilation shaft, only mechanics can get it out. Two, if it dies outside and another animal eats the remains, it can also be poisoned.
How To Protect Car Engine From Rats and Mice
Keeping the car moving is the sure-success remedy of this predicament. Follow one or a combination of multiple methods from the above-cited list that you think will be best suited to get the job done. If you realize that the situation has worsened and out of your gathered intelligence, seek professional help without delay.
How To Protect Car Wiring From Rats & Mice
Rats have a biological tendency to gnaw at everything by sinking their teeth in. Unfortunately for us, car wires are the first things they come across after invading a vehicle. So they naturally chew on them, and our kind has to suffer for their obsessive-compulsive disorder. But the modern man has found a remedy for this as well, and it’s a rather clever one. Nowadays, wire mesh coating is available, which protects the delicate wirings under the hood. Additionally, it prevents rats from entering the engine bay itself, minimizing the damage to nil.
How Do They Get Inside In The First Place?
It’s not a mystery per se since cars are not fully sealed from top to bottom. Their little bodies come in handy while invading our safety. The car engine requires air to flow continuously, and so the breathing space becomes the mice and rats’ familiar territory. Tires are the juncture points to the rest of the car, and some rodents crawl their way upwards and inside to wreak havoc. How to protect a vehicle from rats – the list of remedies above has covered all the necessary grounds that will prevent rodents from stirring up the insides of your car.
Signs Of Rodents’ Existence In Your Car:
So what are the common signs that ascertain that your car has already been intruded on by rodents? Read on…
- The foul smell is the very first thing you might notice. But, unfortunately, an unpleasant odor may linger around replacing the welcoming appeal of a car’s cabin – a sign that steps should be taken.
- Scratching or chewing noises can be heard from the understorey of the car.
- Chew marks could be apparent, meaning rats and mice have fed on your valuable mats, seats, and cabin space.
- If the dashboard display becomes faulty even after a new purchase, rats are the root of all evil in most cases. Therefore, these situations have to be dealt with as soon as taken into account.
Best places for mice and rats to hide and nest:
Rats and mice, rodents in general, like warm & dark places with enough food and something to chew on. The primary reason rats are attracted to cars is that it offers the whole package. And so, they like to take place under seats in the rear row. Air vents, dashboard compartments, engine bay, and batteries are all the warm places they feel comfortable.
Conclusion:
Prevention is better than cure – the same can be said here as well. Now that you are all savvy on protecting the car from rats, constant vigilance will be your best friend while keeping your beloved car in one piece. You may like to read about the best low-maintenance vehicles in India.
