How to protect your car from rodents?

Rodents target cars because they find warmth, shelter, and food there. Electric cars are particularly vulnerable to rodent issues because the charging battery generates heat that rats and mice can detect from a distance.

In cold weather, rodents burrow into the car's engine compartment to stay warm. It's a cozy and comfortable spot to make a nest, almost like a free Airbnb!

Vehicles are also an easy source of food: electrical wires and other materials made from biodegradable substances like corn starch are a real feast for them.  
Since rodents' teeth grow continuously throughout their lives, they need to chew constantly to prevent their teeth from becoming too long or sharp. 

Rodents cause numerous damages to cars each year. In addition to gnawing on sheaths, hoses, and electrical wires, they can also damage fuel lines, power steering lines, brake lines, insulation, or even padding.

For example, they can chew through the front wheel sensor cable, resulting in the loss of ABS, ESP, cruise control, tire pressure monitoring, and more. If they build a nest in the engine compartment or fill the engine air intakes with various types of dried fruits, they can block the airflow and cause overheating.

If you have trouble getting hot or cold air through your vents, it might be due to a mouse nest obstructing them. Rodents often bring other objects, such as cotton from the interior, clothing, natural debris, and more, into the vents to settle in.

Another significant problem caused by rodents is the contamination of air conditioning systems. When rodents urinate or defecate inside this system, they can spread diseases like hantavirus through the vents into the vehicle's cabin. The smell of rat urine, droppings, and mechanical problems in the car, such as short circuits, power surges, breakdowns, or warning lights coming on unexpectedly, are all telltale signs of their presence.

Once rodents have entered your car, they are likely to return. They follow the scent left behind, leading to repeated and costly episodes of damage. It is therefore important to take measures to keep them away from your car.

Since the engine compartment seems to be an ideal refuge for rodents, it's best to prevent them from wanting to hide there in the first place. Here are some tips: 

Move your vehicle 

Rodents can find their way into any vehicle, but they are more likely to take refuge in a stationary vehicle than in one that is driven daily. Move your car from time to time so that the animals don’t have a chance to settle in comfortably. 

Keep your car in a sealed garage if possible. 

Parking inside rather than on the street or in your driveway is another good way to protect your car from rodents. However, simply keeping your vehicle in a garage is not always enough to keep pests away. Take additional preventive measures, such as ensuring your garage is free of stored food or materials in which animals can nest, like newspapers, straw, or cardboard. You should also keep garbage bins used for food waste outside your garage. 

Close and clean your vehicle.

Animals can find their way into your car on their own, so don't make it easier for them. Close your vehicle's windows and ensure your sunroof is completely shut when parked for the night. Also, keep your car clean; food wrappers and trash can attract rodents as well. 

Clean the engine compartment.

If you suspect that a rodent has entered your vehicle's engine compartment, move your car to a well-ventilated area. Inspect the engine compartment for potential nests. Be sure to wear plastic gloves and a long-sleeved shirt. Nesting materials can be found anywhere, but the most common areas are between the battery and the vehicle's chassis, near the windshield wiper motors, and under the intake ducts or air filter.