Response to : How to Mouse-Proof Vehicle in Storage

Mice don't like the smell of dryer anti-static sheets.

"Bounce" is the brand I usually have on hand....

Keeps them away better than moth balls, and smells sooo much better too!

JM2c....

I caught a mouse once in a box, then released it into a 30 gallon garbage can. The damn thing JUMPED about 1 meter out of the can. I never thought they could do this. They may use the tires as a ladder, but they can jump is my point.

I'll have to try the fabric softener, as moth balls do not work. The mice in my car were getting in via the interior air vent outlet holes that were hidden under the plastic rear bumper. The rubber flap that was supposed to serve as a check valve was a piece of cake to them little bastards. I HATES the smell of mice, they piss on everything.

i think the mouse will go for the lowest hanging fruit AKA "food on the ground" unless their looking for shelter, what climate are you in? I'm always looking for solutions to keep these critters out , anybody got ideas ? I'm in farm country . Cats can only do so much

Effective mouse catcher for a barn:

5 Gal bucket (or as available) about 3/4 full of water
12 ounce soda or beer can, empty
Wire
Peanut Butter

Wire through the can, lace wire through holes in bucket at top. Suspend the freely spinning can above the water in bucket. Smear some peanut butter on the can, and place the whole affair at mouse central. Occasional reloading of peanut butter and removal of victims will be necessary.

To make it easier for the varmints to climb up and in, we used to wrap burlap around the buckets. An obvious limit is cold weather, but other than that this is very effective. As a bonus, you don't have a bunch of poisoned mice laying around waiting to be consumed by your dogs or cats.

For this bucket trap I use antifreeze instead of water; therefore, good for cold weather. I use a solid rod instead of the wire, but either should work. Did use a pop can with peanut smeared on the outside, but now use an empty (with some left in it to attract them) peanut butter plastic jar; putting the off-center hole in the bottom is the hardest part. I put a ramp from the floor to one end of the rod; ramp about the size of a yard stick, but shorter, with small bolt in one end so it won't slide off the rod. The jar has to be renewed now and then because they lick it clean on the inside. Also have to dispose of several carcasses now and then.

The little beasts, take acorns in, as we have winter here, I see their little trails in the snow leading from under the car to where ever else they have a cache of food.

Generally the only time I've had problems with them inside of a garage, is if I store bird food, cat food, dog food, they do have to access water, but they just destroy what ever garage door gasket that gets in their way.

So any feed now is stored where they can no way get to it. Now it's those oak acorns that are my bane.

I've heard of Doormans trap before, antifreeze will keep the bucket from freezing, and the sweet smell is an attractor also. If you forget about the bucket for too long the smell will remind you of a problem. Amazing how the little beggars can't swim very long.

We decided against antifreeze in the water... the mentioned dogs and cats will have the bucket available to them.

I have to keep bird food in metal cans. to keep the mice from chewing open plastic or paper bags. Buy it in the bags, then transfer it so I can reuse cans.

Check out this thread for some more ideas: http://cr4.globalspec.com/thread/82978/Rats-Have-Been-Eating-the-Wiring-in-My-Car

I had a mouse get into the car I was driving everyday, Yes, I also poisoned it, when it was trying to get out to get water, it died in the ventilation ducts, how did I know this, mouse hair blowing out of the vent ducts and that decaying flesh odor. Fear not that was before 200,000 miles, the smell and fur does go away, that car went on to about 400,000 miles with the wife and kids driving it after the smell and fur were gone.

Where the hell is Dell? This is his area of expertise/experience.

After extensive testing I can tell you with all certainty that Penny Royal spread in and around an area will repel rodents. The bounce sheets also work but not quite as well or for as long. My wife, God bless her, is "Nature Girl". She has our home filled with organics from house plants to animals and an enormous supply of various feeds and food stuffs. It's a rodents paradise. I've had mice inside computers, Opossum in the home theater, and 6 Raccoon watching me one morning on my treadmill waiting for me to leave so they could eat in peace.. Well it finally had to be dealt with when I carefully placed a variety of no-kill traps throught the house and caught 66 mice in one night. They were relocated to a wild area. I stopped counting at 108 mice. We are now mouse free and have been for several years. Penny Royal around edges of rooms, or under matts and carpets has been the best. Also plug holes with heavy gauge steel wool. They hate chewing it. Rats however have no problem with it and are many times smarter. But thats another story for another time. Also be advised that Penny Royal is very hard on your liver so keep exposure to it minimal and clean up well. But that's just good everyday practice anyway. Good Luck.

What is Penny Royal and where do you get it? thanx

Oh my, I apologize for not being more specific as my wife lives this stuff and I forget that it may or may not be common knowledge. It is an herb. Here's a link that will give you a variety of purchase options.:

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=pennyroyal+herb&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=6206712207&hvpos=1o1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2088896267692015996&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_1keg0mvm06_b

What is "Penny Royal?" Never heard of it unless some other name around here.

Pennyroyal is a member if the mint family. In addition to mice, it is the best insect repellent I have ever used. Keeps me free of mosquitos, even in the U.P. It works for fleas on dogs, too, but don't use it on cats, as it can be toxic. It grows wild on my place, or you can find seed. Plant it around the house to deter pests. You can buy the essential oil from any number of sources. Just do a search or check your local herb or "health food" store.

Re: rodent proofing. My Toyota Venza burst into flames and was totaled. The insurance investigator blamed "a rodent" who built a nest of dry leaves, which caught fire and ignited inflammable plastic in the engine compartment. I asked Toyota if they were now using less furiously flammable plastics in their engines (the radiator melted!). They have not replied. We have stopped feeding the birds (and crafty squirrels), and my new Venza (700 miles on it) hasn't burned yet.

Guys,

Just an observation (as reported to me by my many dealership-mechanic friends) that the newer cars with Soy-based wiring insulation is much more attractive to rodents than the old vinyl stuff. I've heard of brand-new import cars come to the dealership with rodent damage to the wiring the occured before delivery. When I realized the o.p. was speaking of a relatively new vehicle as opposed to a mostly-parked classic, I recalled those discussions.

Maybe this is b.s.?

I mess with old stuff and rodents are a problem. If you can deny them cover by leaving doors open and such, it will help. Keeping the hood open on a parked (indoor) car usually keep them from nesting on the engine. Farmers here fight this constantly with seasonal machines like combines...

One way entry box

Make a box with a hole somewhere away from corner and fix one spring with dia bigger than the mouse on this hole, so that it can walk through. Spring should be long enough so that it bends with the weight of the mouse. On the inside end, fix one flap so that when the spring returns, closes the spring end. Keep enough length beyond the spring so that mouse has clear space to walk into the box.

Make some arrangement to get rid of them, like poison or electric shock.

Gajanan Phadte