What's the best way of keeping mice away from my car when it's unused?

Iamzod · 19 Nov 2021 at 13:20

What's the best way of keeping mice away from my car when it's unused and simply sat on the drive.

I've got an ST220 which I don't use over the winter months, however last year I had an issue where my brake fluid reservoir cap got chewed by mice along with the corner of my airbox.

I got in it 2 weeks ago to do my weekly move it about & warm it up routine & noticed a mouse dropping on the carpet. I of course set up mouse traps & i've since killed 4 of the little ******* in the last 10 days.

Anyone else had rodent issues? What's the best solution?

These appear to be field mice, our garden backs onto fields & the hedgerows are full of them so there is a never ending supply, I just want them away from my car.

The Running Man · 19 Nov 2021 at 19:17

A cat?

jaybee · 19 Nov 2021 at 19:23

Just put traps out nearby? They will never resist food and will quite happily do all manner of stupid things to get it. Just have a look on youtube at how simple it is to make a mouse trap.

Diddums · 19 Nov 2021 at 19:33

Ring your local pest control company and ask them to come around, for £100 or so you'll have that car free of anything for a couple of years. If you find a really... morally loose one they'll have a spray which acts as deterrent, but I think it was outlawed a few years ago.

Iamzod · 20 Nov 2021 at 00:02

Ok, I need to repel the mice, the car is on the driveway, I can't simply put traps out nearby as I live next to several thousand acres of farm land, there are probably more mice out there than there are people in the UK, last time I put traps in the garage they were full every morning for about 2 months straight. I killed about 200 mice & they kept coming.

I have mousetraps in the car, I need to somehow stop them having a go at the car in the first place before they cause some damage.

darael · 20 Nov 2021 at 00:18

Sounds like you need a Mouse Delete-R:

DXP55 · 20 Nov 2021 at 12:08

If cats or other animals can't get in the garage just put down small trays of rat/mouse poison along with bowl of water. also put some on floor of car. - trouble with traps you need to check them on regular basis

Also look on youtube and look at home made mouse traps -they are impressive.

https://www.screwfix.com/c/auto-cleaning/rat-mouse-poison/cat12150001

Scania · 20 Nov 2021 at 13:24

Iamzod said:
Ok, I need to repel the mice, the car is on the driveway, I can't simply put traps out nearby as I live next to several thousand acres of farm land, there are probably more mice out there than there are people in the UK, last time I put traps in the garage they were full every morning for about 2 months straight. I killed about 200 mice & they kept coming.

I have mousetraps in the car, I need to somehow stop them having a go at the car in the first place before they cause some damage.

If it’s on the driveway then no amount of traps is going to resolve it, given your location ie backing onto farmland I’d do what the farmers do, have cats.

dale1uk · 20 Nov 2021 at 16:38

Do you have power anywhere near the car? If so then an ultrasonic deterrent could be worth a try.

a1ex2001 · 21 Nov 2021 at 02:01

Drive it regularly

EdwardTeach · 21 Nov 2021 at 02:32

Mouse traps and /or a cat.

Rich1988 · 21 Nov 2021 at 03:37

Cats! we had an issue with mice when we moved in, once we let the cats out the problem went away very rapidly!

bainbridge · 21 Nov 2021 at 08:35

Is there any deterrent substance that you can paint onto the surfaces in the car to put them off?

phil-k · 21 Nov 2021 at 10:02

spread a few of those tumble dryer scented sheets around, its works for our motorhome

Iamzod · 21 Nov 2021 at 14:42

I'll give the scented tumble dryer sheets a go. Can't get cats as we already have dogs & whilst there is farmland on one side of the property the driveway is next to the A60, there is often dead cats on it so not ideal.

Hades · 21 Nov 2021 at 20:27

The Running Man said:
A cat?

Plot twist... car has had a decat

dacads · 21 Nov 2021 at 22:50

Move house?

dlockers · 21 Nov 2021 at 22:58

Hades said:
Plot twist... car has had a decat

Ban

azazl187 · 21 Nov 2021 at 23:02

If it's worth so much to you, can you not buy or make a sealed unit for it!? Other that that, keep up the traps, it will end eventually

Hades · 21 Nov 2021 at 23:10

Humane traps with chocolate as bait. I know it sounds silly but the only bait that managed to get a mouse in my house was chocolate. Make sure the traps are humane so a fox or cat doesn't get hurt. But check the trap every day so the poor thing isn't stuck in there.