Help! Mice in my engine!!

[Rhondasway]

I opened my hood yesteday to discover that mice had torn out a bunch of my firewall insulation and made a big nest on top of my motor!!! #@$%! They did this overnight, it's not like the truck was sitting. When I lifted the nest off, there was a mouse still in it even after I'd started the motor! I think he got cooked... Last night I left my hood open, but I'm not going to do that forever!

So I need help in figuring out how to stop this!!! I live in the woods, no garage, and I'm not even plugging in the truck right now. Do I have to set traps for them every night when I put the truck to bed, like when I read her the bedtime story about the Little Dodge That Could? I don't have a problem in the house.

I have two Rott's and no cats. Is my best bet to get some outdoor cats? I'd worry about coyotes (my dogs keep them away but do sleep inside) and racoons too. If those nasty litte s*%@ts keep at it, they'll not only ruin my insulation (more), but they could get to work on hoses, wiring, etc. :{

Help me out! I'd also like to know if it's possible to repair the insulation damage already done. Tape won't work; too much heat...

Thanks for any advice (is there a mouse repellant?)...

 

[Gene Arnold]

I have no scientific proof that it works, but for many years when I parked my travel trailer away from my residence I scattered moth balls throughout, especially in the hidden spots. I never had mice problems. Might be worth using a few around the under-hood area.

 

[scootergmc]

Stick a cat in there. The mouse problem will be solved. Of course, you may have bigger issues... .





Sorry I'm no help... .

 

[CJ Johansson]

I've always found the best solution to a mouse problem is cats. We have a grain farm, there are ALWAYS mice around a grain farm. When we moved in here, there hadn't been any cats around and there were mice everywhere. In the house, in the barns, everywhere!

There were also foxes, coyotes and owls, but still lots of mice.

Well, we've got 6 cats now and I hardly ever see a mouse anymore. I saw one a month or so ago in a metal trash can we keep chicken feed in, left the lid off. Picked up a cat and dropped her in the can, no more mouse! Now the cat always wants to look in the can when it's opened.

-cj

 

[PToombs]

Dryer sheets work decent too. They stink bad enough I don't like the smell of 'em!

 

[obert]

Dryer sheets work decent too. They stink bad enough I don't like the smell of 'em!

Yeah, my wife leaves them in the camper in the off season with fair success. I thought about them in my engine bay, but fiured theyd blow out.



We had rats in the corn crib last summer for the first time since we've been here (5 yrs), and they made a second home under my hood. The corn kept them full, so no chew damage, but their waste has severly uglied up the engine, valve cover is corroded, what clear cote that remains is peeling. Just a mess.

 

[Rhondasway]

Well, I guess my first mistake was cutting the Cat off right after getting the truck; who knew? :-laf

Thanks soooooo much for the great suggestions!! I will go get a case of moth balls, then stuff dryer sheets everywhere they won't melt. Of course, I'll never hear the end of it at the next dyno event I attend (this Saturday?)... Even if I don't win high horsepower I'll win "best smelling engine compartment. "

I think I'll look around for some big-ole barn cats while I'm at it.

You guys are the best!

 

[MMeier]

I don't think you are, but if you have the stock air filter box still, better look in there for the lil' bastages!

 

[Mactruck]

Rhonda,

I have had problems with mice in the past. Nuts being stored in the hood liner as well as one time while working on my truck they filled my intake manifold with Nuts.



The problem was virtually eliminated by about 90% by getting rid of the Hood liner itself. Mice love that material because it makes great insulated nests.

When I removed mine I found more than one area where mice had been living over the years. It was like a mice Condo complex.



When I removed mine I was worried about extra noise from the motor. I noticed little difference with the removal of it.

 

[Rhondasway]

I don't think you are, but if you have the stock air filter box still, better look in there for the lil' bastages!

You're right, not running the air box. Nor do I have a hood liner anymore, since I have an Air Bulldog fiberglass hood. Buuuut, it did occur to me that I have a big ol' hole designed into that hood which sits over the top turbo; hood is hollow, air grills in front channel air through hood...

 

[CBogner]

I recently adjusted the valves on my 05 and lo and behold under the decorative engine cover was a nest. i dont understand it either since my truck gets driven at least 6 out of every 7 days of the week. Anyway my dad always used moth balls when he stored his boat on the farm and he never had a mouse/rat/racoon or whatever problem.

 

[JLEONARD]

My son has had cars towed into his shop because they wouldn't start... due to mice blocking off the air filters... and on more than one occasion. :-laf

:-laf:-laf

 

[Rhondasway]

I keep forgetting to pick up moth balls, but the dryer sheets seem to be working so far! Oo.

 

[Headshot zod]

maybe you should hook up with this guy.

 

[jeepit]

When we first moved out of city to our rural home we had mice problems. Never in vehicles though. Since then we have had cats inside and outside and this has solved the problem.

Although I think the inside cats are fat and lazy at this point.

I have used dryer sheets and Irish Spring soap shavings on barn floor that seems to work too.....

camper is stored in the barn.