4 ways to remove them
ERIE, Pa., April 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — They may be small, but mice and other small rodents can create big problems for you and your vehicle. A single mouse can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your car in a matter of days. And the diseases they carry can also be harmful to your health.
If you suspect a mouse has made your car its new home, the best course of action is to get it out, fast. Erie Insurance offers five ways to tell if there are mice in your vehicle:
Is there a mouse living in your car? Erie Insurance offers tips to help make the discovery and get them out.
- Car problems: Unfortunately, some drivers first discover a rodent problem when their car won’t start or run properly. This is often caused by mice chewing on wires in the engine compartment. With so many complex electrical systems in modern cars, chewed wires are almost certain to cause problems.
- Damaged upholstery: If a mouse has decided to make a new home in your car, it will start looking for materials to build a nest. If you find holes in the seats, missing pieces of insulation, or chewed foam, you may have a problem with your mouse.
- Mouse droppings: Like any pest infestation, finding animal waste is a good indicator that you have a problem. Look for small mouse droppings on the car’s carpet, seat and dashboard.
- bad smells: If you detect bad odors coming from your car, it may be due to a pest problem. Drivers will often first detect these odors coming from the vehicle’s air vents. Mice can use the ventilation system as a tunnel to get from the engine compartment to the interior of the car. And vents often provide easy access to insulation and filter materials they can use to build a nest.
- mouse nest: Finding a mouse nest is the easiest way to confirm your rodent suspicions. The first place you should look is inside your car’s airbox (this is where the engine air filter is located). Mice love this place because it is warm and sheltered from the elements. Open the box and look for signs of rodents. The area should be empty and relatively clean so it will be obvious if there is a nest inside. You should also check under your car’s plastic engine cover to see if it has one.
Even if you leave the doors closed and the windows rolled up, there are many ways to get a mouse into your car. Once you’ve made the unfortunate discovery, here are four ways to get them out.
- Turn up the heat. Like humans, mice do not like extreme temperatures. Roll up the car windows and park in the sun on a nice day. Or blow the heat on the car for a few minutes. All that heat can convince the mouse to leave.
- Blow the horn. Loud noises, such as honking, can scare a mouse away from its new home in the car.
- Use repellent. Most home improvement stores will sell several types of mouse repellants that you can place in and around your car. Many people have also had success using cotton balls dipped in peppermint oil.
- Set mousetraps. Mouse traps aren’t just useful for keeping mice out of your home. Placing traps inside or under your vehicle can also help protect it from unwanted visitors.
At Erie Insurance, animal-related damage to your car is covered by optional comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy. This includes damage to the car from mice or rats. You will only be responsible for paying your deductible. Watch this video to learn more about rats in your hood and how to prevent them.
If you have questions about your specific policy, talk to your local ERIE agent to understand what your policy may cover (and where you may have gaps).
About Erie Insurance
According to AM Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvaniais the 11th largest homeowners insurer, 13th largest auto insurer and 13th largest commercial lines insurer in the united states based on direct premiums written. Founded in 1925, Erie Insurance is a Fortune 500 company and the 19th largest property and casualty insurer in the united states based on the total of net premium lines issued. Rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best, ERIE has more than 6 million policies in force and operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia. News releases and more information are available at ERIE’s website at www.erieinsurance.com.
SOURCE Erie Insurance Group
