How to prevent and spot rodent damage
Sometimes, your vehicle might be hosting unwanted guests – mice, squirrels or other rodents may choose to call your engine home when the weather gets cooler. If you have rodents living under your hood there is a risk your vehicle might have experienced damage, or unwanted airborne transmissions such as dander might be circulating throughout your vehicle.
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Protect your vehicle against rodent damage
If rodents start taking shelter in your vehicle, the risk of damage to your vehicle can be high. However, you can take steps to minimize the risk of rodent activity. The following suggestions can help you prevent a rodent infestation and keep your vehicle safe from damage:
- When parking your vehicle for an extended period of time, avoid tall-grass areas, wooded areas or fields where rodents are more likely to be living.
- Whether it’s leftover fast food, pet food or a few scraps that fell on the floor, rodents can be attracted to the aroma in your vehicle. Be safe and don’t keep any food inside your vehicle – even the aroma from small crumbs can attract rodents.
- When parking your car in a garage, take steps to prevent rodent intrusion. Seal up any holes on the outside of the building, lay out traps and ensure any food in the area is stored in a tightly sealed container.
- When storing RVs and trailers, remove barbecue units as rodents are attracted to the residual odour.
Signs of a rodent infestation
Be aware of signs that could indicate your vehicle has been visited by rodents. These visual cues are often the first clues that you may have rodent damage:
- Shredded or chewed upholstery or insulation
- Chewed wires and hoses
- Droppings
- Nest materials
- Rodent carcasses
These signals might indicate a greater amount of damage to your vehicle due to rodent activity. If you do have rodents in your vehicle, you should take action immediately to reduce the risk of further infestation.
