Hmmm... some interesting responses here. See the situation is this: I don't have mice in the garage or the house, just in the cars. They seem to be drawn to the cars like a magnet. It doesn't matter which garage I park them in, the mice find them. They don't make nests in the garage itself, even though there are materials one would think they'd use. I'd build them a heated air-conditioned mouse motel if they'd just stay the hell out of the cars! I'd rather not put poison in the cars because that means they'd have to go in there to get it, and my goal is to keep them out. Just my luck they'd eat that poison and go up in my headliner and die where I can't reach them without tearing the car apart. I'm gonna try the soap idea because it seems the most expediant and inexpensive method at the moment. Thanks to all who have replied, and I'm still open to any other suggestions. Sam
Good point about the mouse baits Sam. The last thing you need is a bunch of dead mice stinking up the car. What you really need to do is find out how they are getting in the car in the first place. Are there any holes in the floor or in the trunk that they can slip through? If you can find and seal off thier entry routes, they will have to find a new place to live. If you are not driving the car much, take out the seats, clean out thier nest and droppings and fumigate the tar out of the backs and bottoms of them. If the carpet can be saved, shampoo it real well. One more thing to remember about mice: they are moble motels for fleas, so you might need to spray for them too. If the soap trick does work, maybe you could stick a few bars of it in the springs and some shavings on the carpet under the seats. It's worth a try anyway. But most importantly, you have to find out how they are getting in so you can stop them.
Dennis has a cat? Must be hypothetical. I bought a box of the baits myself years ago under someone else's suggestion but I've never used them 'cause I just don't like the idea of somebody's dog or kid possibly getting into them.
I've got the same mouse problem. Try glue traps to get rid of them, then after you clean out the car, spray Febreeze around the interior. They seem to hate that stuff. I've also put bars of Irish Spring soap around too!! Can't be too careful...
I see yall's point about other animals eating the poison. I did'nt worry to much about that since I was trying to rid them from my attic. Put the bait in your car where it can't be reached by your pets. When the mouse eats it they search for water leaving your car behind and die elsewhere. Like Jean said, examine your car and seal up the areas they might be getting in. If you go with the soap idea they will be back and maybe have some friends with them. P.S. Don't leave them a water bowl with the poison snack.
I was reading up on how to get rid of mice and the paper I read stressed finding a way to eliminate thier food source. They must be bringing food in from the outside and stashing it in the car for future ' diners'. Once they are hungry again, they will head off insearch of a meal. If there is a way to pinpoint what they are eating and get rid of it, they will have to move on. The other thing stressed was finding out how they are getting in the garage and sealing off thier holes. ( once they are out of the car, of coarse). Another thing I read was that they have poor eyesight, but they counter that with excellent smell and taste. Two things they can't stand is garlic and moth balls. I'm not sure if you would want to put garlic in the car, but maybe if you place moth balls or moth ball flakes around the inside and outside walls of the garage it might drive the buggers away.
Luckily the only rodent problems that I have ever had were in my house, we used three kinds of traps before we got the darn thing, first were the sticky traps, the darn mouse chewed paper that fell on the glue then walked across and licked the PB clean, second was the traditional trap and he somehow managed to get the PB without setting off the trap, but the third time was charm. My Mom uses the soap shaving trick and swears by it. As others have said you must find out how they are getting in and plug all entrances with steel wool. Good luck.
I have not had a problem with mice but was told to put pure peppermint or spearmint extract in the cars can be bought at grocrey store said to put one or two bottles in the car with the lid off said it will keep them out they don't like the smell and your car will smell great be sure to sit it so it don't spill.
All I ever see food-wise is little shells of some kind of small nut they must get from the woods. My house is new so it's pretty tight. The only way I can figure they get in is maybe under the door, even though there is a seal. Maybe they wait for me to open the door and then they bolt in before it shuts again! As far as getting into the car I have no idea. Door seals are all new and tight, and there are no holes in the floor either. With that said, I'll try the soap and peppermint. I like the smell of both. Thanks for all the thoughts folks! Sam
My car has been sitting for the last 3 months with the occassional start up and drive around the town. But due to the salt I have been just starting it up. Currently it has been sitting in the driveway next to my house. This is the first winter I have had this problem. Last month was the 1st time I saw their presents. They pooped all over my battery and cross bracing. They had taken what we call propellers or seeds that fall from the trees and carry them into the engine compartment. I had to blow it all out. The crap was all down in between the valve cover and intake. I have not seen any dropping in the car as of right now. But I do have a few rippes in the seat and in the headline. God knows if they are in the trunck. I do have a few rust holes in the trunk. My wife said she watched 3 mice run accross my driveway when I was out there. I wanted to bring the car in the garage this winter but it is attached to my house off the kitchen and basement and I don't want to move them into my house. Any suggestions on how to keep them out. My car is 100% original and I have had no plans to tear the insides out since it is all in good shape. I afraid to stick traps inside because I don't want to invite them in if they have not found their way in yet. I am just thinking that the little guys from yesterday most likely found there way back in. My house is near a stream and in the country so there are all sorts of critters out there. Any help would be great. My wife wants the car gone because of this.
A friend of mine swears by Bounce dryer sheets, and he has all his cars in a barn and industrial building. They certainly have a strong smell but you'fd likely have to change them out semi-regularly. I can't attest to this as mine no longer has anything that mice could nest in left in it (unless they can nest in sheet metal), but I'd give it a shot.
Yes but often a recurring problem for anyone storing cars. One box of Bounce should last an entire winter in a barn. At least a Canadian winter in these parts (late November to early March).
Ah, this thread brings back such pleasant memories of my '74 Grabber when I first got it. It had been sitting in a field for 12+ years, during which several generations of mice and rats had made it their home. The previous owner must have discovered this at some point and decided to put d-Con poison under the front seat. So they ate the d-Con, then crawled up under the back seat and died. What a pleasant surprise that was to find. Some mice have been in the car again in the past 3 years it's been sitting, but not nearly as bad as the first time. This time the problem has really been roaches. There were at least a dozen roaches go scurrying in all directions when I pulled the back half of the carpet out. I've never had the headliner out of the car. I'm kind of scared of what I'm going to find up there when I do pull it down.
I read that Irish Spring soap works for a couple months, but they eventually get used to it and start eating it ... :16suspect
