Cure for the mouse problem

Pictures would be nice.

 

Five post minimum required for new members before links/pics are allowed.

 

This may vey well keep them out of the inside, but it will not keep them from under your hood. Several members have reported damage due to chewed wires.

 

this is all documented in another thread with great pics. it is not quick, easy or foolproof.

 

Here is a thread with pics:
http://priuschat.com/forums/knowledge-base-articles-discussion/51005-mouseproofing-prius.html
and I posted a lot of pics when I did my screening on the front:
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...ting/71909-diary-wimpy-diyer.html#post1096535
and the back:
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...ng/71909-diary-wimpy-diyer-2.html#post1141598

Even after all that screening it is unclear whether the gap for the hood latch would allow the mice to get inside. And as pEEf pointed out all the wiring under the hood is still free food for the mice.

 

I believe I found a simple solution to the mouse problem – an answer that doesn't involve efforts to add physical obstructions to keep rodents out.

I came to this because it was getting so bad that during the winter that I would have to change the cabin air filter once every few weeks because the mice would keep making a nest in there. It goes without saying that this hindered comfortable use of the car's ventilation system as well.

Then I was reading somewhere how mice don't like certain scents, and go out of their way to avoid particular smells. One of the smells the article mentioned was peppermint.

So, I had an idea – to try to defeat the mice another way. I replaced the cabin air filter yet again, but this time I first lightly saturated the filter with... peppermint essential oil.

The result was startling. No mice have come in since, for the rest of the winter and all the time since. Six months now, and no mice!

Since then, I've resprinkled the essential oil on the air filter a couple of times to refresh the smell, but there have been no more nests and I haven't had to replace the filter – it looks as good as the day I installed it.

Yes, the inside of the car does smell rather like fresh peppermint, but it's a scent – and experience – I enjoy much more than the mice!

Hope this helps someone else. Much easier I think than trying to block them.

 

And less reliable? I'd rather ensure they can't get in in, then gamble on their scent preferences, anywhere it's practical to screen-off the egress.

 

You MAY have kept them away from the cabin filter -- although I have my doubts about peppermint, but there are lots of places they love in the prius, including in the spare tire well, under the 12V, even under the seats.

Screening really HELPED for me, but did not entirely prevent problems, because, as mentioned they can still access under the hood and there are lots of spots they like -- top of the engine block seems to be a preferred spot.

Traps at all four corners -- one in front of the tire and one behind are the only things that have really solved the entire mess.
kris

 

While I had the wiper motors and cowl off to replace the ABS accumulator it was the perfect chance to stop ingress path via the fresh air vent. Had to fence off all the openings in that channel and then Great Stuff foam the ends where there were some smaller openings. At least it will keep them out of the inside via the front door and prevent chewing under the dash and stinking up the cabin with their foul wreak. Engine compartment still vulnerable, but I monitor that regularly and at least easy to see nest on top of engine which is usual place...although I did find the beginnings of a nest hidden under windshield cowl. The thing is all these nests were made with a white insulation which could only have come from inside the car I am 99% sure, so if the door is now closed then they have nothing to build with in the carport!

 

That cowl, of course, receives rainwater, and channels it out of drain passages at the ends, so it never gets high enough to reach the heater intake (it's a lot like a Dorade box on a boat). Be sure you don't Great Stuff those drain outlets.

 

Mr.Chapman, I can't thank you enough for pointing out that water drains down through the back side of those low drain openings that I covered with wire and then down further. Your warning about not blocking that outer drain was very much appreciated, and in fact the foam blocked the drain so it took me quiet a while to squeeze my skinny arm in there and pry off the foam blocking the drains that appear to go to the outer wheel well. If it hadn't been for your observation the water would have pooled up and flooded back into the engine compartment where it is not wanted with all the wiring etc. So thanks a million, Mr. Chapman!!!!

In conclusion, the hardware cloth may help keep mice out of interior in front of car, but DO NOT FOAM those holes near the hood hings without taking steps to be sure the water can still drain out to the wheel wells, and not sure there is a way to do that. This whole mouse proof thing may prove to be a futile effort anyway. ?? I do appreciate our senior member and advisor Mr.Chapma!!

 

will foam stop mice?

 

You are quite right, Mr. Chapman. To illustrate your point I placed the black rain gutter back in there as shown in this pic. I do have the low spot screened, but I park in garage and no leaves or anything should dam up the drainage so i think it will be ok. And the foam is way off to the sides only near the trunk hings bracing.

 

Some mouse experts on youtube use it, and it will definitely discourage them if not stop them 99% of the time in most cases, but it depends perhaps on a few things, but at least the door is not wide open now, and the easy access to the insulation inside the car which is essential to their nest is just not available now.

 

Just to repeat. DO NOT USE THE FOAM like I did in a way that blocked the water flowing back into that cavity and out lower back there to the wheel well. I had a devil of a time digging that foam out and freeing the water to drain.

 

Now I know where the white fluff was that the mice were using to make nests. It is attached to the plastic fenders above the front wheels. I just spent two hours replacing the little windshield washer hose that had been chewed in three places and leaked. That hose goes from the windshield washer pump above the plastic fenders in the wheel cavity to sprayers up to hood for front windshield and had to remove those plastic liners above the front tires.. I rerouted it to bypass the cavity up to the hood more directly. I also removed that insulation attached to the hood over he engine as the mice were staying in the cavities in there too. At least they weren't getting the white fluff from inside the car as I had worried. What is that big empty plastic container hidden under the fender on right passenger side? For AC condensation? Couldn't see what drained into it under that headlamp.

 

Windshield washer fluid?

 

From the location, I'll guess you're asking about item 17893 here, the engine's air intake Helmholtz resonator.



If you're curious why there is one, this post discusses that.

There's nothing in it but air, though the air pressure isn't always the same.

 

That's it Mr. Chapman. Thanks once again! You're a wealth of information, and the diagram was very helpful. I read the post about the resonator. Fascinating, and of course, there was a mention of mice in that link too..haha!! Somehow I don't think the mouse problem will ever be 100% eliminated here, but I'm resolved to be more proactive about it in some way. How many hours have I spent in anti mouse efforts....Too many to count. If I gave up the battle, sold the car and quit driving and decided to walk everywhere they would build a nest in my shoes. LOL