Mouse on Engine ...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,327
Likes: 166
From: Summerton SC
Tech Contributor
Mouse on Engine ...
Opened my hood last week and there was a cluster of acorns, shells and debris on the top of the engine, between the FRC and plenum cover, though I thought it odd, figured it just blew in there and clustered due to air circulation. Vacuumed it all up (just a small handfull) and thought no big deal.
Today, I see it again, same cluster of acorn debis, except now I notice a few mouse turds. I GOT A MOUSE ON MY ENGINE!!!
Did not think to photo it but will next time. It's not a warmth thing, as I hardly drive it, but my garage is not enclosed as I have slatted walls, due to FEMA regs and being on the water (clear-story flood elevation). So what to do, I could put poison blocks in there, or glue traps or snap traps - or just let them be??? There is no sign of chewing on anything that I can see ...
Today, I see it again, same cluster of acorn debis, except now I notice a few mouse turds. I GOT A MOUSE ON MY ENGINE!!!
Did not think to photo it but will next time. It's not a warmth thing, as I hardly drive it, but my garage is not enclosed as I have slatted walls, due to FEMA regs and being on the water (clear-story flood elevation). So what to do, I could put poison blocks in there, or glue traps or snap traps - or just let them be??? There is no sign of chewing on anything that I can see ...
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 18,072
Likes: 1,538
Opened my hood last week and there was a cluster of acorns, shells and debris on the top of the engine, between the FRC and plenum cover, though I thought it odd, figured it just blew in there and clustered due to air circulation. Vacuumed it all up (just a small handfull) and thought no big deal.
Today, I see it again, same cluster of acorn debis, except now I notice a few mouse turds. I GOT A MOUSE ON MY ENGINE!!!
Did not think to photo it but will next time. It's not a warmth thing, as I hardly drive it, but my garage is not enclosed as I have slatted walls, due to FEMA regs and being on the water (clear-story flood elevation). So what to do, I could put poison blocks in there, or glue traps or snap traps - or just let them be??? There is no sign of chewing on anything that I can see ...
Today, I see it again, same cluster of acorn debis, except now I notice a few mouse turds. I GOT A MOUSE ON MY ENGINE!!!
Did not think to photo it but will next time. It's not a warmth thing, as I hardly drive it, but my garage is not enclosed as I have slatted walls, due to FEMA regs and being on the water (clear-story flood elevation). So what to do, I could put poison blocks in there, or glue traps or snap traps - or just let them be??? There is no sign of chewing on anything that I can see ...
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,964
Likes: 2,680
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
We use 2 small tupperware containers containing mothballs, several small holes punched in the lids. One between the front wheels, one between the rear wheels of each car. Need to renew your ***** about once per month. 
Commercial mouse repellants have not been effective for us.
We also use several tilt-box traps and snap traps around the garage. Glue traps are less helpful in the garage, they get covered with dust/lint. But in your case, I'd put several glue traps under the hood and other places in your car. Those mice can do serious damage.
Good luck, show no mercy!
Commercial mouse repellants have not been effective for us.
We also use several tilt-box traps and snap traps around the garage. Glue traps are less helpful in the garage, they get covered with dust/lint. But in your case, I'd put several glue traps under the hood and other places in your car. Those mice can do serious damage.
Good luck, show no mercy!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Can you 'seal' your garage using wire screen and vis-queen on the inside?
When the nuts run out your fresh, big-3 wiring is next on the menu.
The steel-mesh sleeving may slow them down a little though.
When the nuts run out your fresh, big-3 wiring is next on the menu.
The steel-mesh sleeving may slow them down a little though.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 6
From: Wilmington NC
I use a Rat Zapper, you can get it on Amazon. Been using 2 of them for the last 4 years ever since I saw the acorn shells, decon, yes decon under my fuel rail covers, behind the headlight assembly and in the water tray that goes around the perimeter of the rear hatch (you can see it when you lift the hatch).
Works like a charm, is easy and clean. You get a flashing red light, you know one is dead in the trap, pick up the trap and dump it in the trash, put a few more dry dog or cat food pellets and your ready to go. I got 11 field mice and 4 chipmunks last winter alone. Just got a mouse today. 4 AA batteries will last most of the season and good for 50+ kills.
Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/Agri-Zap-RZCOO...3641755&sr=8-2
A friend of mine paid over $1600 to repair the wires chewed by field mice in his Mercedes parked in his garage.
Works like a charm, is easy and clean. You get a flashing red light, you know one is dead in the trap, pick up the trap and dump it in the trash, put a few more dry dog or cat food pellets and your ready to go. I got 11 field mice and 4 chipmunks last winter alone. Just got a mouse today. 4 AA batteries will last most of the season and good for 50+ kills.
Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/Agri-Zap-RZCOO...3641755&sr=8-2
A friend of mine paid over $1600 to repair the wires chewed by field mice in his Mercedes parked in his garage.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 18,072
Likes: 1,538
I use a Rat Zapper, you can get it on Amazon. Been using 2 of them for the last 4 years ever since I saw the acorn shells, decon, yes decon under my fuel rail covers, behind the headlight assembly and in the water tray that goes around the perimeter of the rear hatch (you can see it when you lift the hatch).
Works like a charm, is easy and clean. You get a flashing red light, you know one is dead in the trap, pick up the trap and dump it in the trash, put a few more dry dog or cat food pellets and your ready to go. I got 11 field mice and 4 chipmunks last winter alone. Just got a mouse today. 4 AA batteries will last most of the season and good for 50+ kills.
Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/Agri-Zap-RZCOO...3641755&sr=8-2
A friend of mine paid over $1600 to repair the wires chewed by field mice in his Mercedes parked in his garage.
Works like a charm, is easy and clean. You get a flashing red light, you know one is dead in the trap, pick up the trap and dump it in the trash, put a few more dry dog or cat food pellets and your ready to go. I got 11 field mice and 4 chipmunks last winter alone. Just got a mouse today. 4 AA batteries will last most of the season and good for 50+ kills.
Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/Agri-Zap-RZCOO...3641755&sr=8-2
A friend of mine paid over $1600 to repair the wires chewed by field mice in his Mercedes parked in his garage.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,526
Likes: 17
From: Santa Fe TX
Mice do like certain types of wiring. Had one chew the knock sensor wire on my Acura and left a chicken bone as evidence on the exhaust.
Had to remove the intake plenum to fix the car. It was also not a warmth issue because I rarely drove that car at the time.
Had to remove the intake plenum to fix the car. It was also not a warmth issue because I rarely drove that car at the time.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,548
Likes: 176
From: Upstate NY
Man, that's kind of a horror story! I have read the chewed wire posts!! My garage is not adequately sealed and the little fellows can come in at will. I have placed several mouse traps in different locations in the garage and have trapped 2 mice, 3 moles and a chipmunk. It feels like trying to empty the ocean with a thimble.
I am going to keep using the traps but add some mothballs underneath. Don't want critters chewin' on my wires!
I have read the chewed wire posts!! My garage is not adequately sealed and the little fellows can come in at will. I have placed several mouse traps in different locations in the garage and have trapped 2 mice, 3 moles and a chipmunk. It feels like trying to empty the ocean with a thimble. I am going to keep using the traps but add some mothballs underneath. Don't want critters chewin' on my wires!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,327
Likes: 166
From: Summerton SC
Tech Contributor
Dang ... I did a topic search before posting and nada, but sounds like a somewhat common invasion. I can't seal the garage area (its the whole underside of our 3-story house), and any screening would get chewed through easily. I put some poison blocks and 3 glue traps in the engine compartment just now, so will see what the 'morrow may bring.
Note, there was no nesting materials visible, so not sure if they may have invaded other unseen or unreachable sections, and just using the FRC area as their penthouse dining area. Guessing that glue traps w/bait along each wheel may be the best strategy? Thanks for the posts, the advice rocks and LOVE the forum!
Note, there was no nesting materials visible, so not sure if they may have invaded other unseen or unreachable sections, and just using the FRC area as their penthouse dining area. Guessing that glue traps w/bait along each wheel may be the best strategy? Thanks for the posts, the advice rocks and LOVE the forum!
Pro
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 657
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 12,122
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From: Cold Hell, Minnesota...for now
St. Jude Donor '15 thru '26
Don't use moth *****, unless you enjoy the smell yourself. 
I use dryer sheets around my cars,atv's, and motorcycles. Then I scatter bars of Irish Spring soap around. Leave the soap in the boxes, and open one end.
I don't recall why this stuff works, but it does. Never any trouble in my garage, or shed.
I use dryer sheets around my cars,atv's, and motorcycles. Then I scatter bars of Irish Spring soap around. Leave the soap in the boxes, and open one end.
I don't recall why this stuff works, but it does. Never any trouble in my garage, or shed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 27
From: West Des Moines Ia
I know I have mice in the garage from time to time as I see the droppings. I use a bar of Irish Spring Soap in the Interior and another bar in the Engine area. I set each on a foam plate. I have never seen any evidence of the mice in or on the car. I hear they really dislike that bar of soap...
I had a friend tell me one time that when he used the Irish Spring Soap that his critters ate the soap. I said I think He is dealing with a much more dangerous critter...
I had a friend tell me one time that when he used the Irish Spring Soap that his critters ate the soap. I said I think He is dealing with a much more dangerous critter...
Last edited by PaulB; Dec 11, 2011 at 06:38 PM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 549
Likes: 10
From: Tomball Texas
Don't use moth *****, unless you enjoy the smell yourself.
I use dryer sheets around my cars,atv's, and motorcycles. Then I scatter bars of Irish Spring soap around. Leave the soap in the boxes, and open one end.
I don't recall why this stuff works, but it does. Never any trouble in my garage, or shed.
I use dryer sheets around my cars,atv's, and motorcycles. Then I scatter bars of Irish Spring soap around. Leave the soap in the boxes, and open one end.
I don't recall why this stuff works, but it does. Never any trouble in my garage, or shed.
Back on topic. The mouse needs to go. If he is living in your car (and he will start eating parts of it) he is more than likely pilfering other parts of your garge and doing unseen damage elswhere.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
You gotta kill these critters off, as once they've made a warm home in your garage, the only way. Cat's really aren't a solution, as means more available food and water in the open. Check the "bugspray.com" site, click on "M" for mice, and you'll learn all about these critters. My garage is attached/enclosed and still get mice. I always keep a couple peanut butter baited traps, and find fall/winter temp changes bring the critters in. Keep the trap bait areas facing walls, as mice like to walk along them. Get the dead mice outside quickly, as just more food for others, and really start to stink.