What to Do If Mice Keep Getting Inside the Car?

[VanAshley]

You can use the smell of mothballs or mentholatum to repel mice, or directly kill them with rodenticide. After killing them, it is necessary to remove the odor from the engine compartment, as mouse urine is not only pungent and unpleasant but may also attract other mice to enter the engine compartment again by following the scent. Additionally, change the parking location to stay away from areas where mice frequently appear, and regularly open the hood to inspect the engine and other components. Below are the disadvantages of mice entering the engine compartment: 1. Dirtying the car: Once mice enter the engine compartment, not only will there be various mouse droppings and fish bones left behind by mice in the engine compartment, but some mice may also build nests and give birth to baby mice on the air filter. 2. Causing damage to components: Once mice enter the engine compartment, they may chew on the car's wires, fuel lines, etc. This situation is very dangerous, potentially causing short circuits at the least and severe damage to the engine at worst.

[LaMaverick]

Last time I found mouse droppings in my car, I felt terrible. I consulted a mechanic with 20 years of experience, and he taught me a few tricks: The most important thing is to seal all entry points! Use fine wire mesh to tightly cover channels like the air conditioning intake, leaving no gaps larger than a fingernail. When parking, avoid trash bins and grassy areas, and don’t leave food in the trunk. Cleaning is also crucial—use a high-pressure air gun to clean the engine bay once a month, as grease attracts mice. Here’s a folk remedy: Wrap mothballs in gauze and place them in the corners of the engine bay, or spray some tiger urine rodent repellent—it works wonders, tested personally. After doing all this, you’ll pretty much say goodbye to rodent problems.

[VanEmmanuel]

Our residential area is next to a green belt, so it's quite common for mice to get into cars. The key is to be mindful of parking spots—avoid parking near walls or grassy areas. Never leave any snacks in the car. Once, I forgot a few breadcrumbs, and the next day, I saw bite marks. Try applying peppermint oil along the edges of the engine compartment wiring; mice hate the smell. There's also an ultrasonic rodent repellent available on Taobao that plugs into the cigarette lighter. If you find mouse droppings or urine, clean them immediately with alcohol, or the scent will attract more mice. Remember to regularly check the air filter, as it's a warm spot where mice love to nest.

[JacksonMarie]

Mice enter cars mainly to search for food and build nests. I once found peanut shells in the glove box, so now I stomp my feet to scare them away before getting in the car. Food crumbs in the car must be swept clean, leaving not even tiny bits. Use steel wool and foam sealant to block gaps in the engine compartment, especially around the firewall. Place a few sticky traps near the tires and change their positions weekly. Here’s a clever trick: apply essential balm to wires; mice dislike the irritation and won’t chew them. Wrap the engine wiring harness with metal braided sleeves, which are more bite-resistant than ordinary plastic tubes. Pay extra attention in winter, as mice love to nest in the warm engine.