Everyone has issues with their vehicles from time to time, one problem as the weather gets cold are rodents. Don’t let their size fool you; these tiny pests can cause very expensive.
Since winter in Tucson, just started and temperatures remain chilly, rodents choose to take residence in your vehicle near the engine for warmth. Rats and mice can fit in a gap or crevice as small as a coin to make a home in your car engine.
Some damage that they can cause to your car are:
- Making Nests: While they can make nests anywhere in the vehicle, they prefer to next in the engine compartment.
- Droppings: Rodent droppings can indicate that you have an infestation. At that point, you should plan to have your vehicle deep cleaned to prevent disease transmission and evaluated for potential damage.
- Chewed Wires: Rats and mice have teeth that constantly grow through their life – they need to chew and gnaw constantly. If they have made their way to your engine, that means that your coils and wires are easily accessible to them and do thousands of dollars in damage.
Repairs to your car can be costly. It is best to make all attempts to prevent a pest infestation before they occur. Some ways that you can do that are:
- Prevent Pest Entry: Cracking the window or sunroof may allow for airflow but also an entry point for rodents
- Check for Pests in the Garage: A garage or carport may be an excellent living space for the rodents, but they will enjoy getting into your car much more. Contact the professionals to get rid of rodents from your home and garage to avoid vehicular damage.
- Decrease Food Sources: Keeping your vehicle clean will decrease the pest’s food source and make your car much less inviting to them. Throw out wrappers, trash, and clean up any spills or crumbs as soon as they happen.
What do I do if I think I have rodents in my car?
The first steps you can take to alleviate the problem are to clean the car out and evaluate the extent of the damage. They could have caused damage that would make it a danger to drive. If you are concerned that they were in your engine, contact the professionals to come and evaluate the vehicle before you attempt to drive it.
Contact us at University Termite and Pest Control today for a free consultation and plan for your pests this winter.
