You might not notice it, but rats are one of the most cunning rodents out there. They will settle in any dark area near any food source just to survive, including your car. People might see this as a harmless act, but in reality, rats making out a home in your car engine is detrimental to your components. 

For one, rats are unhygienic. They may lead to foul odors that will stay under the hood and might carry over to the insides of your car. At the same time, there is also a tendency for them to chew on wires. These faulty wirings might only lead to your accidents. To guide you through this problem, here’s a detailed guide on making your car engine rat-free.

Source: Flickr 

Use Your Car Regularly

Vehicles that have not been used for a long time are usually the ones with a large possibility of encountering rat problems. Because of its immobility, these creatures will be more comfortable staying in something that they feel is secured and away from anything dangerous. 

Always remember that you won’t have to drive all the time. It’s enough for these unused cars to be frequently started to allow the engine to roar and scare away the animals that may be living under your hood.

Detail Your Engine Bay

Odor is one of the factors for attracting mice to your engine. Believe it or not, urine is used by rats to mark their territories and if these kinds of smells remain in your car, you’ll probably attract more rats. This is the same with food scent that you might have left after you ate your favorite road trip meals. 

To avoid any rat infestation in your engine, make sure to detail your engine bay. The primary goal of this process is to get rid of both mice-made and man-made smells in your car.

Choose the Correct Parking Location

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If you want to avoid this hassle, then yes, there is a correct parking location that you have to choose from. In general, make sure that your placement is within an open and well-lit area. It is not a secret that dark and compact spaces are potential breeding and hiding spots for these creatures. 

To illustrate, avoid parking beside bushes and grassy areas. Although located outside, these are usual homes for a mouse. Do not place your vehicle beside trash bins or unattended trash boxes. As mentioned in the points above, rats are scavengers and are always on the lookout for potential food, and these bins and containers are the only sources of leftover food that they can take in.

Season Your Vehicle

If there are scents that attract the attention of rodents, there are also smells that may keep them from afar. By seasoning your vehicle with pepper, you’ll probably push them away since these irritants only affect them negatively. You may also use other elements that will bother their sensitive sense of smell.

Lit Up Your Area

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Darkness is friends with rodents; that’s why there is a large possibility for them to nest in your car’s interior, especially on your engine. If you’re parking in your garage, it would help if you switched on the lights to give the insides of the car ample lighting. It is also recommended to keep your car hood open to allow even a small touch of light to enter, primarily on your vehicle’s hidden crevices.

Keep Both The Inside and Outside of Your Car Clean

If the outsides of your car are not clean, there is a higher chance of collecting dust and other pollutants. This is not helpful in lowering the chances of attracting the attention of pests. This is the same case with the interior of your vehicle. It should always remain free from debris, food, and clutter. Having a spotless vicinity will prevent them from building a home inside your hood.

Block All Entry Way

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Opening your car hood is not the only way to enter the insides of your car. There might be a couple of entry points outside your knowledge that these mice use to access these dark spaces. Therefore, make sure that you inspect your vehicle’s totality and check if your car is housing tiny holes. Once you’ve pinpointed them, seal them with a mesh the soonest. Cover all spaces so these creatures won’t have space to squeeze through.

It’s pretty bothersome for owners to solve the problems that these rats will provide once they take over your car engine. It’s better to apply all of these remedies ahead of time to avoid these rat infestation problems.