Mouse problem?

Mice are a scourge to vehicles. There are a lot of different supposed mouse repellents out there that are touted to work, however I have yet to find one that really works all the time that doesn't involve welding a steel shell around the car. I've tried mint oils, dryer sheets and most of the others and found the mice using them for nest materials. The closest thing I have seen is to use traps around the car to catch as many as possible. For that I like the bucket trap. Basically a 5-gallon bucket with a rod on top and a soda can or similar that you put some bait on (like peanut butter) and a ramp for the mouse to climb up. The bucket gets water or 50-50 antifreeze in the bottom if you are in a cold climate. Lots of videos on them out there.
The only other things are to keep anything a mouse considers as food out of the area around or in the car.

That’s the issue though I don’t think any elaborate trap will work I thought peppermint oil worked and wanted to give that a try. Apparently there’s exterminators out every Monday to set up traps I just don’t want to see any mice in the trap I’d be afraid to dispose of it that’s why I wanted to go the repel route.

That’s the issue though I don’t think any elaborate trap will work I thought peppermint oil worked and wanted to give that a try. Apparently there’s exterminators out every Monday to set up traps I just don’t want to see any mice in the trap I’d be afraid to dispose of it that’s why I wanted to go the repel route

Good luck. I haven't seen it work here.

Why about the repellent pellets that come in a bag?

Why about the repellent pellets that come in a bag

The only things I've found that work is trapping them or doing something to put the vehicle out of reach. A drive on lift works, as does jacking the car up and putting it on jack stands. However, I've not seen any of the various repellants work. I did have a couple of shop cats that helped keep the population down, but they wandered off. Honda actually makes and anti-rodent tape that is basically a fiber tape infused with pepper spray. It's nasty stuff that you need to wash very well after using, but I have seen that chewed through as well.

I purchased mighty mint mouse repellent spray and sprayed it in every crevice under the hood, avoiding electrical components. Then to double up I also got the pouches to put in the glove box and man they’re strong! I hope the combined treatment works because I can’t afford to spend $50 on tape plus traps gross me out because I don’t want to see the mice.

Let us know if it works.

Consistently spray mint under my hood, in my interior and on my hubcaps to repel rodents as well as placed a mint pouch in my glove box, haven’t noticed any rodent activity in my engine bay anymore but I’m not sure if it is effective. Also was told capsaicin tape works to repel then if put around wires. Is this true?

I have tried multiple rodent deterrents with very little success. The rodent tape sometimes works, but it's expensive and I have watched mice chew it apart without slowing down. The big culprit is that many vehicles use a soy-based plastic for the insulation on the wires, so basically, they think the insulation is tasty food. Then modern cars have a lot of panels and covers they can hide under and that allows them to feel safe while they do whatever they wish. It also doesn't take them long to set up house, I've seen cars parked and less than 6 hours later I've seen mice around them. Good luck with the mint, hope it works for you.

So what can I do? I had an exterminator, and he set up bait traps with poison pellets and that’s it.

As I said in the earlier post you had, there isn't a lot that you can do if you don't have a sealed location to park it in. If it is being parked in a typical driveway there isn't much beyond traps and poisons that really work. I know you don't like those, but they work. You might be lucky and have rodents you dislike mint. I grow mint myself and have watched mice setting in the patches of mint and eating it. If you come up with something that actually works for a long time you could become a millionaire. Rodents cause a lot of damage every year.

It’s just a pain because in our community we only can park outside and if we wanted a garage, it’s $250 extra a month and only fits 1 car and we have 2 so that would defeat the purpose. I just want a permanent solution, that’s why I asked about tape because I heard it was good but it’s expensive.

There is no permanent solution other than removing the rodents. The tape Honda 4019-2317 somewhat works, but it depends on what rodents are the problem. Some don't have the correct receptors to stop them from eating it. That is why it is only sold as a deterrent that may help. There used to be a store online that was direct from the company that made it but Honda stopped them. The issue I have with it is that a lot of vehicle makes and models have this problem, but only Honda sells the tape. If it was known to work I would expect a lot of other companies selling the same type of tape.

Exactly my thoughts! I have a kia forte and from what the dealer told me the best deterrent is peppermint oil (what service dept told me) so I’ve tried that and so far, nothing but I don’t know anything long term. The pouches seem to be super potent, almost menthol smelling. I also sprinkle cayenne around the cars, does that work? I believe they are palm rats that we have in our community.

The cayenne only works if they eat it. Doubt that powdered has any effect. Up here it's mice, rats, chipmunks, squirrels and the occasional possum. Those are more fun because they all have different deterrents, most of which don't work.

Looked at cabin filter and found rat droppings and about 2-3 leaves just resting on top of my cabin filter. Shook out filter and sprayed with mint to try and disinfectant and repel any further activity until I can get to a mechanic to replace the filter. The filter had dark yellow staining and dried poop so I’m assuming it’s old but I’m not sure why if that was the case why the previous mechanic shop didn’t remove the rat poop or recommend replacing the filter? If that were to occur is it usual protocol for a mechanic to tell you to replace the filter if they saw that?

What deterrent works?

It may not have been there when they looked, rodents are very opportunistic, if the car was parked for more than 5 minutes they can get in and cause problems. Good luck on keeping them out.

As I've stated multiple times, I have never found anything that really works. That is why there are 1000's of products out there and tons of internet claims that "This really works" with 50 people then saying it doesn't. That is why there are oils, sprays, and electronic gadgets all claiming to work, but they cannot show proof. The only thing I know that 100 percent works is to eliminate the rodent, if they are not around they cannot do damage. The other is to block off all access to the vehicle with something the rodents cannot chew or dig through and cannot climb over. The issue with the second method is that it has to be something that is easy to do or a permanent install or it won't be done every time. One of my friends owns a farm out west and several classic cars. His solution was to buy parking lifts for the classics, those are 4 post lifts, drive on, elevate the car and they are safe from pretty much any rodents because the posts are smooth steel. His garage where he parks his daily driver is "armored". 6" thick concrete slab, the walls are metal siding with a wide strip of steel that is buried around the slab and goes 2 feet up the walls, with the metal siding over that. The door is one of the old-style insulated panels, but it has a strip of steel on the outside that is floating so that when the door is closed it lays on the concrete. That keeps out the rodents and in his case snakes as well.

Okay so update I had went to a local mechanic shop and he checked everything and replaced the cabin filter and told me the only thing I could do is continue trying the mint and maybe get moth balls to put under the hood. I’m at my wits end and I don’t know what else I can do to repel these rats! They haven’t done any damage it seems like they just leave a trail of urine and poop where they go but never saw one presently in the car. So are they just coming and going or are they looking to nest? I’m not sure what is going on because there is no sign of activity other than the feces but wiring and everything is intact. Please any advice would help! I also sprinkled a cayenne powder water mixture all around the permiter of the cars with the peppermint oil hoping to add extra deterrent

Exterminators come every Monday and replace bait traps but still noticed droppings in the cabin filter so replaced the filter and so far so good but not sure how long it will last. I have consistently been spraying mint under the engine bay and wheel wells and use mint pouches in the glove box. I also heard pinesol repels so I sprayed that around the perimeter of the car. I heard D-con tablets work for repelling rats if placed under vehicle but my community prohibits doing so we cannot have poison out in the open where pets can access it . So I’m at a loss. Do ultrasonic devices work? What about the tomcat rodent spray?