You may think mice chewing wires in your car is impossible until you experience it first-hand. Like many other people, you may not even consider the possibility of mice in your car. When you notice wires wearing off, you will most likely blame it on a manufacturing deficiency.
More often than not, this issue is caused by rats and other rodents. The clincher is you don’t have to leave your doors open for rats to get in. Mice are small enough to squeeze into tight spaces.
Rodents and mice in your car is a situation no car owner wants. Perhaps if the rats just got into your car without causing any issue, maybe, just maybe, it would be possible to tolerate them.
But mice can go as far as chewing wires and electronics in your car. They may also leave droppings that will affect the smell and cleanliness of your car.
There are many reasons why rats are coming into your vehicle to start chewing wires. In this guide, we’ll be discussing them plus how to get rid of mice in your vehicle. Also, we’ll explore preventive measures to stop mice from chewing wires in your car.
Why are Rats Coming into Your Vehicle?
Here’s why car owners across Vaughan are starting to notice rodents in their vehicles:
Cold weather conditions
When the icy weather conditions come calling, you’ll want some form of warmth. In most cases, you’ll get that comfort when you are at your home. This same cold weather also affects rats and rodents. As a result, they try to find a warm place to hide and rest.
In that situation, these rats may find your car suitable as shelter. If they were only looking for protection, it may have been okay. But mice will start chewing wires in your car when they get hungry.
Food
Sometimes, after a long and stressful day at work, it’s normal for you to get hungry while driving home. However, since you’re driving, you can’t eat as neatly as you will typically eat. As a result, some crumbs may fall, and it’s natural to forget about them.
These crumbs are special invites for rats to come into your car. When this happens, mice won’t stop at eating the crumbs. They’ll also start chewing the wires in your car.
Plant-based car components
We live in a world where waste management is crucial to survival. As a result, you may want to buy products that will not add to the world’s waste. In this case, you’ll always love to buy biodegradable products. As a result, many car manufacturers try as much as they can to produce car parts from plant materials.
However, while these biodegradable products in cars have their advantages, they have one disadvantage. It’s an invitation for rats to come around to chew. When they taste a wire made from soy plants, it’s pure bliss. Soon enough, they’ll “invite friends and family” to join the feast.
Related Article: How to Keep Mice and Other Rodents Out of Your Car
What Can You Do about Rodents In Your Vehicle?
If you are already dealing with mice chewing wires in your car, there are some steps you can take to stop it. The less stressful option is contacting car detailing services to reverse rodent damage.
Traps
There are many types of rat and rodent traps that can help you catch these pests. Some of these traps have designs to kill rats, while others will only catch them.
When you buy these traps, you can set them around, under and inside your car. You can also take a peep under your vehicle to look for an entry point and set the trap.
It’s best to set traps around wires that have been previously chewed on by mice. That way, when rats come in to feast, the trap will catch them. You can use glue boards or poison to trap rats.
Use your car frequently
Just imagine if you’re on your bed, and suddenly, the house starts to move at a certain speed. After some time, the house stops again. Tomorrow again, it decides to move.
Unless you’re living in a fantasy, you will not like this experience. You probably won’t even want to sleep in the house the next time.
It’s the same experience for mice chewing wires in your car when you move your car frequently. First, when you approach the vehicle, the rats will hear your footsteps. That’s already enough trouble for them, and when you start the car, it’s even more trouble. It’s unlikely you’ll have rat visitors in your vehicle if you drive it every day.
Change or protect plant-based products
Like we mentioned earlier, some car products come from plant-based materials. That means the manufacturers are looking to save the environment from waste. However, these plants based materials will only lure rats and rodents alike to have a taste. A perfect example of these plant-based materials is wires made from soy plants.
If you have soy-based wires, there’s a high chance you’ll have mice chewing wires in your car. To reduce or stop this totally, you can decide to either protect the cables in your car. That, of course, is if you’re an astute supporter of sustaining the environment with biodegradable products.
To protect your soy wires, you can install a metal mesh around them. All you need to do is put this mesh around your wires and other points in your vehicle. This should at least reduce the frequency of mice chewing wires in your car.
Another way to protect plant-based components from rats and rodents is with tape. According to Consumer Reports, these tapes cost less than $40 for 22 yards. Simply buy and wrap them around your wiring to protect them from mice damage.
Use deterrents
Some smells are unpleasant to us as human beings. As such, we try to stay far away from them. The same thing applies to rats, rodents and mice.
If you have mice chewing on the wires in your car, you can buy smell and taste deterrents. So, when the rats smell or taste these deterrents, they won’t feel comfortable staying in the immediate environment.
Park inside a sealed garage
If you’re fond of parking your car outside, it’s time for you to stop it. In most cases, you’ll see rats and rodents outside the home rather than inside.
When you go inside for the night, the rats will have more freedom to move around. If your car is outside during that period, they’ll definitely try to get into your car.
What is advisable is for you to always park inside a garage. However, it’s vital to ensure the garage has little or no opening for rats. You can even go as far as sealing the garage up.
Related Article: Is Mice Damage to Your Car Covered by Insurance?
Keep Mice and Rodents away From Your Car
If you leave mice to continue chewing the wires in your car, there’s no way they won’t damage the wiring and electronics. When this happens, you’ll be left needing thousands of dollars to make the necessary repairs.
If you try to fix these wire problems on your own, you may cause more damage to the car. In turn, this will cost you more money and stress. So, you should train yourself with the preventive measures already discussed in this article. Or in no time at all, you’ll be needing repair on your car.
If you don’t know what to do about rodents in your vehicle, it’s always best to contact experts. Here at Autoboss Vaughan, we offer you interior detailing services that will keep rodents away from your vehicle. Book an appointment with us today!