Mouse Problems
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: St. Clair Shores, MI
Mouse Problems
I went out to fire up my '81 vette this morning, and had a horrible surprise waiting for me. The cargo area carpet was shredded and piled up in the back, with bird seed shells all mixed in!! Upon investigating, it appears that the culprit is coming in where the battery cables leave the cockpit compartment. I was surprised that the opening is so large where the cables leave the battery and run up to the engine compartment. I need to know a good way to seal off the hole that the cables run through. Also, is there any way for critters to enter through the firewall? It appears that in addition to being in the cargo area, they are above the glovebox behind the dash. There were some papers chewed in the glovebox, and shreds hanging down from the glovebox door latch. Although I was getting ready to replace the carpet and reupholster the seats, I don't like the idea of rodents using my vette as a "mouse house"!! :eek:
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 536
Likes: 0
From: Lutz FL
Re: Mouse Problems (jhorlocker)
Most home improvement stores sell rubber grommets, its worth a shot.. other than that, maybe you could just use silicon sealer to make your own grommet on the spot...
Or stop leaving cheese in the vette :crazy: :crazy: :jester
Or stop leaving cheese in the vette :crazy: :crazy: :jester
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Re: Mouse Problems (Black68Vette)
To find possible openings in the firewall, at night put some source of light (e.g. a flashlight) inside the engine compartment, and contort yourself under the dash. Then you will see light coming through the openings, and you can fix them with some sort of sealant (I used strip caulk). That will also make your interior cooler... :cool:
Or you may as well simply put a snake inside the car! :jester
-Pedro
Or you may as well simply put a snake inside the car! :jester
-Pedro
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Re: Mouse Problems (jhorlocker)
It'll be up to you to decide if there's a way to apply this tip to your vette: If you have a mousehole in your house (say around where pipes come up into cabinets) ... stuff the hole with steel wool. An elderly lady neighbor told me this tip ... I kinda blew it off. BUT, out of desperation, I tried it ... IT WORKS. Mice & rats won't touch the stuff!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,036
Likes: 2
From: Westfield Indiana
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Mouse Problems (jackson)
It'll be up to you to decide if there's a way to apply this tip to your vette: If you have a mousehole in your house (say around where pipes come up into cabinets) ... stuff the hole with steel wool. An elderly lady neighbor told me this tip ... I kinda blew it off. BUT, out of desperation, I tried it ... IT WORKS. Mice & rats won't touch the stuff!
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 654
Likes: 0
From: Now Frozen in Michigan
Re: Mouse Problems (jhorlocker)
JH-
Seal all your holes and openings with either strip caulk or silicone. Had the same prob with mine. There's no stopping them from totally coming in, but you can make it miserable for them! I think this next tip came from the forum here. Use Irish Spring soap bars in the interior or cowl. I cut em up and spread em around sitting on small blocks of wood to avoid stains. For some reason, they hate it and just 'bug-out'. I'll take the "fresh, aye" smell over rodent damage anyday! :lol: -Rod
Seal all your holes and openings with either strip caulk or silicone. Had the same prob with mine. There's no stopping them from totally coming in, but you can make it miserable for them! I think this next tip came from the forum here. Use Irish Spring soap bars in the interior or cowl. I cut em up and spread em around sitting on small blocks of wood to avoid stains. For some reason, they hate it and just 'bug-out'. I'll take the "fresh, aye" smell over rodent damage anyday! :lol: -Rod
