mouse problem

Sorry you had this problem, please open a case number with Toyota.

 

Did some peanut butter flavored harnesses come off the line?

 

can't really blame you. i wonder how the other manufacturers do it.

 

I believe that the mice are a dealer-installed option.

 

Mouse intrusion is NOT an option.

It comes STANDARD.

That being; Rustproofing containing petroleum wax and distillates repel mice.

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

The added benefit is that it makes bolts and fasteners easy to remove. I'd spray them and all brake lines and connectors.

 

someone please help me understand why this is Toyota's problem??

Maybe the OP and Son should spend some money on pest control around the property?

 

I have a detached garage. I keep several blocks of TOM CAT rat and mouse control in it. If I do not I get mice. I have never had mice in any of my cars. I would imagine that is why I haven't had a problem. Keep a couple of glue boards around as well. Prevention is cheaper than the cure.

 

Sounds more like a cat problem.....and I can't imagine why mieces are more attracted to Priuses when Prius drivers say that everybody else hates them.
I agree that this is not a Toyota problem.
It's a pest control problem.

There are threads detailing several barrier methods.
I'd also place some glue-traps down near the car....or just adopt some cats.

If you have a pair of pliers?
Glue traps are re-useable.

 

I heard some mention that mice don't like the aroma of petroleum products. I've got some oily/waxy rust preventative spray, been thinking to hit the main suspension components, especially the undersides where water and salt accumulate. Just hoping they're not ATTRACTED to it, lol.

 

They hate the stuff. Over the past 45 years and more, I've sprayed the aerosol rust proofing on my cars.

Even after 15 years, I might get a few acorn bits in the engine compartment, but nothing else.

They don't chew on petroleum wax coated parts.

I work on my own cars. I hate rusted tight bolts and nuts. I love it when the stuff comes off easily, even after 15 years on the car.

 

What type of rustproofing do you use, the small aerosol cans or have a garage do it for you? Just in case I ever have a mouse problem.

 

That's a LARGE aerosol can. Just coat the firewalls, vent entry areas, wiper area, wires and connectors. It's NON-electrically conductive. I also did both rear fender well vent areas including the battery area.

You can always buy a second, if you need one. It's absolutely easy to apply.

 

Thanks Mike.

 

Cats are only available as an aftermarket accessory. Prices vary.

 

You're very welcome. Petroleum waxes and distillates are poisonous to small rodents, taste bad for them, and are used in moth balls that repel them.

They also keep moisture from water vapor out of electrical connectors.

It's kind of too late, but better late than never, once thy chewed expensive wiring and parts.

 

I got motivated, raised the rear, removed wheels and removed some trim pieces. I've got all the rear suspension cleaned and applied a wax/oil. Mostly I put it on with an old tooth brush and wiped down with rags. Sprayed just when impossible to reach. Looks a lot better.

There's one fastener on a wheel well spat..., well: I'd like to execute the engineer that designed that one. I'm gonna replace with some sorta nylon screw.

Here's the bracket the fastener is on, this is right rear wheel well, looking towards front.

 

Ah, a problem for the Queen mouser....Bait blocks make you feel good, but seriously the mice do eat them but DO NOT fall dead immediately. They have 2-4 days of time to run around and make mischief. Call it three days for a good average.

I don't know about the spray undercoating stuff. I might think about it, but I have a GEN II and since I did all the screening and blocking, I have had minimal problems. Of course, the 'rascally rodents could still chew to their little hearts content in the engine compartment, which scares me more than having them in the passenger cabin.

SO -- MY QUESTION. To use this undercoating spray, do I have to crawl all around under the car and clean the entire underside before I spray? I am pretty skinny, and can probably do it without jacking up the car, but I can think of a lot better ways to spend an afternoon (anyone want to come to Iowa and do it for me...I can offer IPAs? -- oh, wait, this is not the Pacific Northwest -- how about a few Grainbelts?).

 

Rustproofing is NOT undercoating.

Just open the hood and spray the areas in the cowl and the wheel wells I the engine compartment.

A trip to high pressure wand type of self service car wash in the Springtime should be regular maintenance to wash out the Winter road salt.

Wait another week for it to completely dry and spray only he seam and bolted connections. That's where it does the most good.

 

Sorry, I am an Oregon native -- just (hopefully) transplanted to Iowa for a couple of years last fall. We did not do road salt in Oregon , nor do much in terms of undercoating, which I now understand that this is NOT.

Thank you for the clarification. I may try this. I think, however, my current parking situation is "sans" mouse, but if I get back to the Pacific Northwest....