Mice & Rat Problems

[Benji-Man]

Maybe I've killed a couple!?

I've had to remove the blower fan 3 times to clean it of mouse bedding. The third time I removed the evaporator & case to completely clean the fins of fur and hay. Also had to use a grab claw tool to remove a lot of bedding from underneath the intake manifold.

Needless to say, I don't park over there in the winter anymore.

 

[JDraper]

Second mouse was caught today under the hood...family slaughter

 

[Chris-74]

Has anyone got a good method to keep rats out of their engine compartment? I was detailing my Explorer today, popped the hood and found telltale signs of rats. I don't think they chewed any wiring yet, thank goodness, but the foam engine cover has chew marks and there were a few turds on the battery. I've heard about using peppermint oil to keep them away. Anyone tried that before?

 

[reserved50]

If you park in an area that's full of critters I would also put whatever deterrent you are going to use around the front wheels, they like to use the insides of the front wheels as a step and up the suspension. This might sound disgusting but they do sell predator repellant and works well unless your rodents are curious and suicidal , heres an example below (non tested random link off the interwebs)

https://www.predatorpeestore.com/repel-rats-rat-problems-coyote-urine.html

 

[peterk9]

I found a dead mouse on the passenger side floor liner in the MKT I used to have. Not sure how it got in there. I removed it and on the chance that another may be inside I set a live trap and the next morning there was one in it. I caught several in the garage over the next week and being a 'humane' type, I always set them free in the neighbour's yard. After a while this scenario became a little tiresome so then the next ones I caught were driven a few blocks away to an area near the local river and released. No further issues. I have a feeling I was catching the same ones over and over. That was about 3 years ago and they haven't found their way back yet.

Peter

 

[peterk9]

Has anyone got a good method to keep rats out of their engine compartment? I was detailing my Explorer today, popped the hood and found telltale signs of rats. I don't think they chewed any wiring yet, thank goodness, but the foam engine cover has chew marks and there were a few turds on the battery. I've heard about using peppermint oil to keep them away. Anyone tried that before?

I've merged your thread with this existing one found with the 'Search' feature. Yes, your situation is not unique.

Peter

 

[Rick]

I use this near a vehicle I keep parked outdoors. They were snacking on it regularly before I began to use it:

https://www.amazon.com/Bird-X-Trans...492293149&sr=8-1&keywords=birdx+transonic+pro

 

[1995E]

I highly suggest getting a cat. Works wonders for me and no mice issues. I let mine out to roam outside. I used to have mice issues until I got them.

 

[Chris-74]

I park in a secured underground parkade, so I guess a cat is out of the question
No power outlet nearby for an electronic device either.

 

[champco]

Kill as many as you can. They make more.
I have these placed around the house and in the garage. In winter just as it gets cold they get placed along the side of the house under a piece of siding lening against the house. Snow covers it all. The little critters will and do run under the snow. They find the sheltered area and the food and wander off and die. They will make a real mess of your vehicle so you must be ruthless and diligent. http://www.victorpest.com/victor-fast-kill-refillable-bait-station-bm920-10
Safe for pets and children if you pay attention.
Victor pests for all your needs.

 

[Forddealz]

get a hunting cat. My cat tortures and kills them and personally delivers them to me. The cat has been jobless for the last couple of years and instead started to gain some weight by being lazy.

 

[Rick]

The Victor electronic rat trap works great too:
https://www.amazon.com/Victor-Elect...76&sr=8-2&keywords=victor+electronic+rat+trap

I was using that before I got the ultrasonic box and it caught a few HEAVY rats, but with the ultrasonic box they just aren't around anymore.

 

[frequent flyer]

Sorry to jump in on this thread but I am having trouble figuring out how to create a new post...so please excuse me, in advance. 2016 Explorer XLT, 31K miles. Yesterday morning, I noticed a little bit of shredded paper in the glove compartment....strange, but I was looking for something important at the time, so it didn't register...until I noticed debris on the passenger seat (mostly soft, gray foam...like insulation) this morning after switching the heater on. Suddenly remembering the shredded paper, I looked at the right front seat air vent, and I could see all kinds of small debris back there...and now I knew. First I checked the engine air filter...that was clean. Next I popped off the glove compartment door to look behind, where the cabin air filter is located, but what I could see was clean. This is as far as I went, before texting my favorite service advisor at the local Ford truck center I bring our three Fords to. She expressed concern the mouse (I hope not mice) might be in the heater box, so I'm bringing it in...and it's not, of course, covered under warranty...understandable. In the meantime, for tonight, a mouse trap on the floor up front, another in the glove compartment, and yet another in the engine...and several more around the garage near the car Anyone else had a similar problem, and a happy ending (I hope) to pass along?

 

[peterk9]

Sorry to jump in on this thread but I am having trouble figuring out how to create a new post...so please excuse me, in advance. 2016 Explorer XLT, 31K miles. Yesterday morning, I noticed a little bit of shredded paper in the glove compartment....strange, but I was looking for something important at the time, so it didn't register...until I noticed debris on the passenger seat (mostly soft, gray foam...like insulation) this morning after switching the heater on. Suddenly remembering the shredded paper, I looked at the right front seat air vent, and I could see all kinds of small debris back there...and now I knew. First I checked the engine air filter...that was clean. Next I popped off the glove compartment door to look behind, where the cabin air filter is located, but what I could see was clean. This is as far as I went, before texting my favorite service advisor at the local Ford truck center I bring our three Fords to. She expressed concern the mouse (I hope not mice) might be in the heater box, so I'm bringing it in...and it's not, of course, covered under warranty...understandable. In the meantime, for tonight, a mouse trap on the floor up front, another in the glove compartment, and yet another in the engine...and several more around the garage near the car Anyone else had a similar problem, and a happy ending (I hope) to pass along?

I've merged your post with this existing one found using the Forum's 'Search' feature in the upper right. What you wanted to do was start a new Thread, not a post. You can start a new thread from the main page that lists all the threads in the sub forum. There is a button at the top right of the page that says Post New Thread. Before starting a new thread members should first do a 'Search' to ensure that the topic they wish to discuss hasn't already been posted. There isn't much that hasn't been discussed in the 7+ years this 5th generation forum has been open.
I had mouse issues with my previous MKT and cleared it up by using a live trap and relocating the unwanted neighbour.

Peter

 

[frequent flyer]

I've merged your post with this existing one found using the Forum's 'Search' feature in the upper right. What you wanted to do was start a new Thread, not a post. You can start a new thread from the main page that lists all the threads in the sub forum. There is a button at the top right of the page that says Post New Thread. Before starting a new thread members should first do a 'Search' to ensure that the topic they wish to discuss hasn't already been posted. There isn't much that hasn't been discussed in the 7+ years this 5th generation forum has been open.
I had mouse issues with my previous MKT and cleared it up by using a live trap and relocating the unwanted neighbour.

Peter

Thank you. I'll check that out. I did, by the way, do a search for "mice" and all I came up with was someone's rebuild of a 94 that had a mouse problem. Thanks again.

 

[jo7hs2]

Thankfully haven’t had this happen with our Explorer...it’s only a a few weeks old...but we did have this happen to two vehicles ten years or so back. My sister and I both got hit by it visiting at our parent’s house. Squirrels. Her Mustang ended up needing the whole dash pulled and the entire vent system replaced, plus wiring, because it had stuffed the whole car with insulation and droppings. The Pontiac Bonneville I was driving fared better. About an hour into a long drive I started hearing a thumping noise when I turned on the AC. Made it to Tennessee in the early afternoon with the windows open (hot) and pulled into a shop to leave it for repairs. Called me the next morning and said my car was fine, but my squirrel was dead. Replaced the blower motor for hygiene reasons and was on my way.

Sorry it happened. Good luck!