Mice!!

[Jmckinley]

Something to think about: If your system is set on "Recirculate" they can walk right into the filter through a pretty large grate just behind the glovebox. Pretty sure they were coming and going that way because they had stuff in the nest that they got from inside the car.

Sponsored

 

[RangerTX]

I have read many threads about how the mice get into the cab of the truck.

Somewhere (I have not been able to find it) someone posted exactly where they get in and how to cover it. For the life of me I cant find that post. Anyone help???

By the way, I set traps in the cab, on the wheel, and in the engine bay. I caught a little sucker inside the cab. I knew I had them.... Now to stop them from getting in.... ugh

 

[MountainGoat]

Probably this one; I did this but with hardware cloth:
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/my-mouse-fix.22784/

I also put it around the jack storage compartment in the back seat, mice get into those too. And the air intake.

 

[MountainGoat]

Any pics of where they get in around the jack storage compartment ?

It's just all the holes in the sides of the sheet metal there. I made an L-shaped guard from the hardware cloth and ziptied it in there. Had mouse turds in both rear seat compartments.

 

[gwhalin]

I did the hardware cloth over the cowl intake after finding evidence of mouse in glove box and no problems since. Will take a look at jack storage area.

I didn’t bother with air intake. I have the Roush CAI so if mouse gets in my air is I can watch him through the window like at a zoo!

 

[pbethel]

Plastic engine cover might convince them to live in the engine bay.

 

[MrJ1s]

To top it off, literally, they made their way up the driver's side A Pillar into the areas above the headliner. They proceeded to stock it with catfood they found in a bag in the garage.

There may have been more nests, but I couldn't find them.

Bought a fairly high-capacity Ozone generator and ran it a lot for a couple of weeks in the cab.

How did you get into the headliner to determine that the mice were stocking it up with catfood?
I still have the smell after all of my efforts finding nests, stockpiles of nuts/seeds and areas that they relieved themselves in or on.
I have an Ozone Generator too.
Yesterday I discovered a large brown stain on the headliner about the size of a small plate.
I am wondering if one or more crawled up there and died ?‍
The stained area of the headliner smells like the rest of the areas they messed up.

I screened the HVAC fresh air intake holes in the firewall after my initial discovery.

 

[Retirednavy2010]

What is it with wiring and plastic pieces in the engine compartment that drive rodents hunger for them? Is it the type of oils (wire manufacturer's can use peanut oil, soy oil or rice husks in the insulation). I wonder what oil that Ford specifies to be used in there parts?
There is a class action law suit against Toyota for using wire with insulation made with soy oil.
Doing some youtube research the general conclusion was peppermint oil will keep rodents away. Youtube shows one guy using a spray bottle with a mix of water and peppermint oil and squirting down the engine compartment switch that mixture and one other video shows a guy taking a medicine bottle and punching a bunch of air holes in it and using cotton balls soaked with peppermint oil and tying it to the top of the engine. Don't know if this works but just throwing it out there? Other than electronic mouse blockers is there any other cures for rodent infestation? This video is Interesting. https://nhoilundercoating.com/soy-based-wiring-how-to-help-keep-mice-out

 

[Tom_C]

In engine compartment, just prevention like the peppermint oil. Or, get a couple cats.

You can block the air intakes with wire if they are getting in the cabin. I have put mouse repellant stuff in my glove box.

 

[dano42]

Peppermint oil works marginally. We have pretty heavy mouse and rat pressure here, and it only slows them down a little. Not everyone can do it, but we just leave ours in the garage.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

When I look at your avatar and think of the subject of this thread, all I see is this…

I had an issue with my truck a year or two ago after my truck sat idle for three or four days at the cottage - it was a real mess. I have since been spraying down the engine bay with a rodent repellent called Doktor Doom - not available in the U.S. but the label lists the active ingredients.

I haven’t had a problem since. I’m now at this location for four-five months each summer and continue to use it. That‘s not necessarily proof that it works - it could simply be that mice haven’t been around. However, if you can find a product in your area with Denatonium Benzoate 0.075%, it just might work for you.

0.075% - man, I bet at full strength, it would cancer cancer.

 

[MountainGoat]

Honda made capsaicin tape you can wrap your wiring with in response to a lawsuit. With the peppermint oil soaked cotton balls and hardware cloth in the front cabin vent and rear seat storage bin it works OK. You can't come close to wrapping your whole wiring harness without pulling it out though. I still make a habit of trapping and killing mice regularly just to keep them away, because they still get in. This one was under the glovebox.

Iirc they were 6 lawsuits in total and all got thrown out. People had $3000+ repair bills on brand new vehicles and judges ruled against them every time. "Nope, that's just normal wear and tear now, you pay" they said.

 

[MountainGoat]

When I look at your avatar and think of the subject of this thread, all I see is this…

I had an issue with my truck a year or two ago after my truck sat idle for three or four days at the cottage - it was a real mess. I have since been spraying down the engine bay with a rodent repellent called Doktor Doom - not available in the U.S. but the label lists the active ingredients.

I haven’t had a problem since. I’m now at this location for four-five months each summer and continue to use it. That‘s not necessarily proof that it works - it could simply be that mice haven’t around. However, if you can find a product in your area with Denatonium Benzoate 0.075%, it just might work for you.

0.075% - man, I bet at full strength, it would cancer cancer.

It doesn't seem that bad. Apparently it's just insanely bitter, the most bitter taste on the planet, so it's added to things like antifreeze to prevent kids and idiots from drinking it.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

It doesn't seem that bad. Apparently it's just insanely bitter, the most bitter taste on the planet, so it's added to things like antifreeze to prevent kids and idiots from drinking it.

Apparently, it’s not working for that use case.

 

[subquark]

I mix capsaicin into peppermint and cinnamon oil for an ever so funky TexMex mess! Seems to work, to an extent. Maybe it now only attracts Mexican mice ... =p

I will be doing the hardware cloth on the cabin air intakes and those vents behind the rear jump seats. I just read about the jack compartment, so I will need to look into that too.

Stuff I've used:

Dr. Christopher's Cayenne Extract
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007DGNC4

Grandpa Gus's Rodent Repellent Spray
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08GS7L34B

Organic Cinnamon Essential Oil
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K8YH7R3

Artizen Cinnamon Essential Oil
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y2GN5FS

Mighty Mint Peppermint Oil Rodent Repellent Spray
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HYP6D5C

Artizen Peppermint Essential Oil
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07712J3GH

Grandpa Gus's Extra-Strength Mouse Repellent Pouches
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JMDYDVJ

Fresh Cab Rodent Repellent Pouches
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L236OMW

Sponsored