mice

that is actually a quick and easy fix if you can stand the smell the answer "mothballs" get mothballs and put them in the engine area where they can sit and wherever else there are rats or mice because the mice are looking for heat so that is what I suggest and it has worked for us in the past we had mice in the engine compartment but of course they would vacate before we would start the vehicle
Good luck

 

There are a tons of threads on this on the GEN II forum. I assume the same tricks would work on the GEN III.

IIRC, basically the only good solution was screening off all the access points, which is a bit of a do-it-yourself job and nothing I would attempt myself.

I only have had one period where I had trouble, but it was pretty bad for a week or so. Mousetraps worked for me. Put them around all the tires for a few days. Never had an issue since and I have long ago stopped putting out the traps.

Again, IIRC, I think someone posted that Toyota has used soy-based insulation products in the Prius and that is responsible for the attraction. Don't know how true that is, but it seems like the Prius does collect a fair share of rodents.

 

Ew. I hope they're not inside the cabin! That would be awful.

 

When we had a mouse problem a year ago we never thought they would get into the cars. At a service the dealership showed the cabin filter that had been chewed up and turned into a nest. One of my new sponsors, Critter Control of Hamilton County (Indy) took care of the mouse problem and the new cabin filter looks still new after a year.

 

Second the moth balls it worked for me as well, but beware you will smell the moth balls in the cabin when you use recycle fresh air.

 

Also, I don't think the "Surgeon/General" recommends breathing the moth ball vapors, as a terrific idea!......

 

People have tinkered with barrier methods, but if it were me I think that I'd try glue traps or just go down to the used animal store and get a cat.
Good Luck!

 

Besides the A/C vent entry, there are entry points at each rear wheelwell where the rodents can ingress. If you're going to try to screen them out, don't forget to screen here, too.

 

has anyone ever heard of this? no one with cats!

 

Please call Toyota and open a case number.

Toyota claims not aware of mouse problem | PriusChat

 

We had a diminutive rat take up residence in our garage and car. He (or she) was hanging out in the engine bay, and in the garage. We'd discovered his nest in the engine bay, and thought we were shut of him. However: we were babysitting our daughter's Shiba Inu soon thereafter, brought him home in the car, and as soon as he got out, in the garage, he went nuts, focussing along one wall. I started pulling out stuff, he was jumping around, very excited. Ratty was ultimately discovered on some shelves, he came down fast scooted across the floor and out into the night, never to return. Whew.

 

My favorite has to be rustproofing.

Transtar 4423 Amber Rustproofing 24 oz Aerosol Prevents Rust Free Shipping | eBay

It's cheap and easy to use. Just spray it on cracks and crevices under the hood and under the car.

It extends the life of the car and makes fasteners easy to remove and protects steel brake lines and fittings.

I've used it for 45+ years. Animals hate the petroleum smell and feel in their mouth.

I've NEVER had animal intrusion into the passenger compartment.

It works for me.

 

What a nightmare: if the undercoating you happen to use was irresistible to the little critters.

 

I feel a PETA lawsuit coming on.

 

Not at all.
Glue traps are VERY humane, and they're re-useable if you have a pair of pliers!!

Sometimes their little feet will stay stuck to the trap though....

 

Rustproofing is NOT undercoating.

Nope! Animals always avoid petroleum based products. Used as additives in pet food Made in China, many dogs and cats have died.

 

You can, alternately, IF you garage your Prius, just keep the mothballs NEAR the car whilst it's sitting... that's when the mice would move in.

That way, the inside won't reek as badly.

 

You do all realize that mothballs are a pesticide. They are not just a "yucky smell." They are literally poison.

It is not only illegal to use them in the manner suggested here, it is also unsafe and unhealthy.

Now, I am sure the county sheriff is not going to cite anyone for this, but I would never use them in this manner and while there are many anecdotal stories that say they work, I tend to doubt it. Read one person's experience below in italics.

If you can smell the stuff, you are ingesting poison. If you want to do that inside your garage or inside your car and ingest it on a daily basis, so be it, I guess.

But, mothballs are specifically only to be used in sealed containers that allow no escape of vapors to the surrounding environment.

Using them in the open is like pumping poison into the air continually. Not something I want to do, nor breathe. It can also damage plastics -- much like DEET. Google mothballs. Google mothballs mice. Google mothballs pesticide poison health.

Then, make your own decision

Here is the experience of one fellow that I read on a camping forum awhile back. He had had mice in his camp trailer and decided to use mothballs to keep them out:

Next weekend heading out for camping so I went out to get the camper set-up. When I opened the door to the camper, I was greeted with the overwhelming smell of mothballs. I could see the mothballs did not work. Industrious mice had pulled the insulation out of the water heater to make a nest with.... ON TOP OF ONE OF THE BOXES OF MOTH BALLS!!
I can't speak for all mice, but as far as midwestern field mice, moth balls make no difference whatsoever. Except to cause an odor that needs a few days of airing out.

 

i thought mothballs were originally intended to keep moths out of your clothes?