As we head into the new year, I’m reminded that we share the Bay Area with a pesky little neighbor. It seems like these little guys are multiplying in droves. In the past few weeks, I have actually seen rodents jumping out of cars as I drive to work. It is so prevalent that we have added a rodent activity line item in our vehicle inspection. So much so that we see at least two damaged cars a week due to these little pests.
Customers ask me all the time what they can do to stop these little nest-building machines. This is not that easy a question to answer, as each person’s situation is different. Some customers have to leave their cars outside, some don’t drive their cars much, some people have to leave their cars on the street, some in their driveway and some people can garage them.
First, we are going to address the street outside the cars. If there is not enough room in your driveway, you have to park your car on the street. This is the most difficult car to deal with, as you have to add deterrents in and on the car first. The most common suggestion we make is to use an all-natural spray in and around the car. One product that our customers have recommended is Mighty Mint Peppermint Oil Rodent Repellent. You spray the peppermint oil on the front grills and all four fender liners. The front grill and fender liners tend to be the one place the rodents like to get into the car. You can also open the hood and spray the peppermint oil on the inside of the fenders. The other thing customers have recommended is hot sauce. You can use a basting brush and apply hot sauce to the inside of the fenders.
One of the most effective deterrents is to open your hood. Rodents are looking for a dark, dry place to nest. If that area is open to the environment, rodents will not want to gain access in the first place. Since opening your hood on the street is really not an option, driveways become a very good place to perform this.
It is also important to make sure the environment around the car is clean and clear of hiding places. Rodents tend to nest in vines and shrubs. If your car is parked right next to them, the car will be an upgrade from the vines or shrubs. Make sure to perform regular yard work and cut back plants so the rodents don’t have places to nest.
If you have a driveway protected by a barrier, you can try a new technique. We have several customers who place Christmas lights under their car. You can place the lights under the car away from the wheels. If the lights are on or flashing, the rodents will not nest in that area.
Garages seem to be one of the better options, but they pose their own issues. Let’s say you always garage your car, yet are still getting rodents. First make sure there are no points of entry to the house or garage. Rodents can squeeze through holes as small as a quarter. If the garage is secure, the rodents may be using your car as a Trojan horse. They hitch a ride from work, and you unwillingly deliver them to your house. Needless to say, you have to set traps in your garage whether you have rodents or not.
If you are unlucky enough to have had rodents invade your car and cause damage, there is one very important step to have performed. After any rodent repair at the shop, we always apply or install rodent tape to the affected areas (wires, wire harnesses, hoses). This rodent tape will stop the rodents from re-damaging the affected area. There are many ways rodents can invade your life, but if you follow a few or all of these steps, you can put a large barrier in their way.
Matt Pataky owns Sunnyvale Foreign Car Service, 15 Pioneer Way, Mountain View. For more information, call (650) 960- 6988, email sf****@***il.com or visit sunnyvaleforeigncar.com.
