Updated: Dec 28, 2022
Rodents chew things as a way of keeping their teeth from growing too long. Sadly, one of the things they love to chew on is wires. In this post, we’ll explain how you can protect your car wiring from rats, squirrels, and other rodents
Over the last couple of years, many California residents have transitioned to working from home. As a side effect, we’re driving less, and our cars may sometimes sit in one spot for months at a time – especially those who own more than one car. This can turn your car into a tempting hiding spot for a variety of rodents, which end up chewing on car wires and causing dangerous, expensive damage.
1. Move Your Car Often
Prevention is worth an ounce of cure. One great way of keeping rodents out of your car is to move it at least once a week, even if you’re not driving it otherwise. It’s only when your car is stationary for long periods of time that rodents start to view it as a potential hiding spot.
2. Keep Your Car and Garage Inhospitable
If you keep your car in the garage, rodents hanging out in there may chew on your car wiring from beneath. To keep them out, make sure there are no food sources in the garage (or in your car, for that matter).
That means keeping things clear, storing pet food in inaccessible containers, and making sure garbage cans are sealed. Additionally, seal all potential entryways, including the tiniest holes, to prevent rodents from getting inside in the first place.
3. Identify the Signs of Rodents
Knowing to identify if there are rodents hiding out in your vehicle or around it will help prevent disaster. Look out for tiny, rice grain-like droppings, unpleasant smells, scratches, and chewed-up material. If the rodent is hiding in your car, they may not only be chewing on wires but also on seatbelts and upholstery.
4. Consider Trapping
If you’ve identified that a rodent is hiding somewhere in or near your car, the best way to get rid of it is with a trap. Avoid poison, which can pose a risk to pets and children, and glue traps which are needlessly cruel.
Instead, opt for baited snap traps, electric traps, or no-kill traps. Set them up in the area around your car, or inside the car if that’s where the rodents are hiding.
5. Call a Mechanic
Has your car wiring already been chewed up by a rodent? If so, don’t take any risks by driving a potentially unsafe vehicle. Once you’ve gotten rid of the rodents, your next step should be to have a mechanic examine your car and repair the damage.
6. Try Professional Rodent Control
Rodents can be difficult to deal with. An existing rodent infestation can lead to a lot of havoc beyond just chewed-up car wires. They make a mess of any area they infiltrate, and their droppings can carry diseases. With professional rodent control, we won’t just trap the creatures. We’ll also decontaminate the area they’ve infested and help you prevent future infestations with our Rodent Prevention System.
