loved my prius until i realized its a rat mobile!

I've heard theories that it could be the ecologically more friendly coating that manufacturers are putting on wiring. It's evidently soy based and thus more tasty to Rodents. You can google it, lot's of discussion about it.

I don't think it's ONLY Toyota that has gone to this wiring, and I don't think it's only Toyota's vulnerable to this problem.
So the problem could be, sell the vehicle but still have the problem. Especially if it's happening because of exposure to these rodents in your environment.

You might be better served trying to rodent proof the vehicle or find out where and how the vehicle is being exposed to rodents.

 

I hope they don't like boiled linseed oil...

 

Car is vegan friendly. I’ll take your word for it, I’m having a regular person moment and won’t search anyThing on the www

 

Edited.
Never mind.
However I would check me. I've been self isolating for far too long.

 

Great earlier advice about how mice gain entry!

I found droppings in the spare tire well of my 2010, after keeping it my neighbor's garage, this winter. Since that time, with my neighbor still away, I've placed traps in the garage and have caught 10 mice, so far. Maybe it's not only the car, but the number of mice there are, slinking around in the shadows, unseen.

 

Likely getting in through the exit air vents, in the left and right corners, under the hatch floor. I've added rodent mesh on the cabin air intake, and engine air intake, but have yet to get around to those rear vents. Really should. Every time I look at them I get stuck on how to do it.

Now I've got two projects, meshing those rear vents, and checking the tail lights for leaf/needle build-up. That's what I get for visiting Priuschat.

 

Unfortunately the challenge is Rodents...have pretty much evolved to "get into places". It's what they are very, very good at doing. So Rodent proofing your vehicle is a real challenge. I'd still do it.

But trying to lessen or minimize the rodents in your environment and/or make it tougher or less attractive to rodent to occupy your vehicle is about all you can do.

 

Keep the car!

When I first purchased my Certified 2012 Prius (Base Model- Three) from a reputable SoCal Toyota Dealer in an industrial region in 2016. when I picked up the car, I saw some fluff on floor board behind driver seat, thought nothing of it. The next morning I went to vacuum it, and discovered a hole in the carpet under the drivers seat a bit larger than a nickle with fuzz from fibers and underliner along with two rat droppings (I could not see this until I bent down to look under seat) I gave the car a once over and didn't see any more evidence then called the dealer, they told me they have had issues with rats and offered to detail the car. Took it back, showed them the hole, they didn't offer any resolution, just carpet/seat shampooing with the detail.

Then about 2 weeks later I saw another couple droppings in the back deck near the rubber seal of hatch, looked it up on PriusChat, learned about the soy based 'tasty' wiring housing elements of my car, I also learned about the mesh that could be installed to help prevent access points, I took it back to dealer, explained my concerns, they vacuumed and checked everything under the hood and chassis to ensure there wasn't a nest. A Mechanic suggested that I place new laundry dryer sheets throughout the car, because he had heard that Rats hate the smell. I thought he was being condescending, but grateful that I wasn't a rat bus, went home and hid dryer sheets everywhere just in case, lol! Guess what...Have never had a rat issue again! no joke! I have always parked this vehicle outside and I now store small packaged snacks/drinks in the car 24/7 for quick access for my mobile work (never had any rodent find them) I just change the sheets out when the fragrance fades.

Hope that long story helps someone else, even if the Dryer sheets may not be the reason I have never seen another bit of rodent evidence, but it can't hurt. Makes the car smell nice too! Best of luck!

 

Are people writing "rat" but really meaning "mice"? Rats are larger generally. Mice get into the small places. I've heard the story about Toyota using something soy based to coat wiring, not sure if it's true. But my mom had a RAV4 that she leased, I think it was 2 years old, and couldn't start it. When she took it in for service, the mechanic said the wiring harness had been ruined by mice eating the wires. She's a procrastinator, so it may have been a week or two from the time it wouldn't start until she was able to take it in. The insurance company totaled the car, cut a check in the neighborhood of $15,000 to the leasing company, so the damage must have been extensive.

 

Someone may have already mentioned this, but as a deterrent for small animals, rodents / cats / racoons / squirrels whatever might try to get under or on top of the hood, my Prius has a high frequency / pitch sound box that has a motion sensor and emits a deterring sound to ward off small furry enemies. The previous owner installed it because Santa Barbara has a big problem with rodents eating the hoses which are partly made of some vegetable based material that animals like. It's a cool little box mounted with velcro under the hood, I live outside of that area, so it's nice it has an on / off switch because I can hear the sound slightly when I approach the car when it is on.

 

What is the name/brand of the motion sensor box? I'm looking to get one.

 

The previous owner installed it, so I'm not sure what brand or model number the device is. It is completely generic and has no markings on the case. Here's a picture of what it looks like though.

 

interesting, i have heard that this 'science' is a scam.

 

Even Orkin, the pest control outfit, says that these things don't work. The critters become accustomed to the sound and carry on as usual. Pretty good scam, tho, for the target market.

 

I've been reading & hearing about the attraction of soy-based wiring insulation in cars (especially Prii) for years now. One service guy told me there was a class action suit being organized against Toyota for precipitating the situation. Then a couple years ago I was reading a biography of John Harvy Kellogg, the guy who invented corn flakes & ran a huge health sanatorium in Battle Creek Mi. Turns out he was an innovator in many areas, including the many uses of soy, ingested & otherwise. Also turns out Henry Ford was a big fan/patient of Kellogg's & guess what? Ford was the one responsible for the presence of soy products under the hood to this day. I wonder if the mice & rats have a Henry Ford memorial holiday.

 

There is nothing to worry about cable material. Mice and Rats come anywhere is warm and to chew on, even if it is made out of depleted uranium.
You can enclose the air intake for the cabin with stainless steel wire screen, add steelwool on any crevices and opening, clean the car regularly and check the engine bay and air filter.
I never have mouse issue but I got fire ants under the fender from composted leaves and dirt.