MouseProofing the Prius

Re: Mouse Proofing the Prius

Great write-up and post, ebsmythe! Thank you.

I can't speak for Patrick, but I think you have covered all the access ports, I don't thing there's a way from the front quarter-panel into the front vent system.

 

HOLY CRAP!!, You did an amazing job and such determination to keep those pesky buggers out of your Prius :clap2::clap2::clap2: Great job!!

 

Hi again, Barry,

The intake end for the engine air filter box is right out in the open right before your eyes (though not really that obvious). It's a reverse "L" shape about 6 inches to the left (passenger side) of the engine air filter box, between the junction block of the high pressure side of the air conditioner line (the metal block with the little glass inspection port) & the lens of the passenger side headlight, just forward of the windshield washer reservoir.

Also as you look at the black plastic panel that crosses the entire car between the headlights & is also (front to rear) between the grill & the HSD inverter, it's only about 1 1/2 inches from the pointed end of that panel on the passenger side. You need to remove the 6 plastic fasteners that hold that panel in place (the front edge of it slips into a groove in the top part of the grill piece) because underneath is one screw that holds the somewhat wobbley intake end piece in place.

When you fasten your screen mat'l onto that intake end piece, use star type lockwashers & SHORT screws (because long screws with that wobbley piece may eventually rub against & pierce the adjacent air condition'g high pressure line).

Thanks for your excellent post & accompany'g pictures of your job. I still have to do my rear vents & I must admit that I didn't even notice on mine those 2 little drain slots in the front that you also screened off. Mine were (& still are) covered up with some kind of debris, but remember that I only removed the 2-piece black plastic tray & the windshield wiper transmission. If I had gone one step further & removed the next panel, I might have noticed those 2 extra drain slots. Thanks again for your excellent photo documentation.

Ken (in Bolton,Ct)

 

The mice will win. You cannot resist the mice

 

EXCELLENT job!!! Now, if I could only come up with the confidence to undertake this adventure......

 

Congratulations on doing a comprehensive job, and many thanks for documenting each step with your great photos!!

I'm not sure about the black area shown in your last photo. Is it possible to install more wire screening to block that hole?

Now that you have wire screening over the two rectangular cowl drain holes, they will be very easy to clog up if small leaves accumulate in that area. In that case you should hear water sloshing around as you drive.

 

Grrrrreeeeaaaat Job! Very thorough! I have added it to my A-List of Mods.
Thanks for sharing your hard work.

 

Thanks for taking the time to document and write this up.

Have you considered simply adding a Cat to the front passenger seat?

 

Congratulations - very nice to hear that your hard work paid off!

 

Not true. You can remove just the clip closest to the air intake. The panel is flexible so you can pop the clip holding the air intake just by lifting the panel a little. That one uses a flat head screw driver. Those holding the panel us a Phillips. However, all but one (toward the driver's side) can be easily popped by pressing up from underneath with your finger.

ebsmythe: Are you not concerned that PETA will come after you for denying the mice their right to a warm home?

 

According to hobbit's comments that opening may indeed allow mice to get into the AC system:

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...ting/71909-diary-wimpy-diyer.html#post1097227

Still it is encouraging to see OP's positive experience (no mice after the nice screening)

 

Persons Energetically Tormenting Angry Mice?

 

Good Write up...I'm here because I just found a nest in my cabin air filter when I went to check it at 30k miles per the service sched. I AM HORRIFIED by the lack of even a token effort to blocking access. THe primary problem IMHO is the large openings left on the r & L ends of the 'upper cowl screen'. I can easily reach my hand around the end of the screen and touch the openings that are being screened....this allows leaves and other large debris direct access to the air system...not to mention rodents. HOW COULD TOYOTA HAVE MISSED THIS???

 

We experienced the 'cat' fix but it is damed hard to get those muddy paw prints off of the upholstry and dash surfaces! Not to mention the short orange cat hairs! Will not leave the doors opened again when fetching groceries into the house. My wife collects used items that are recycled into gift baskets around Xmas time and recently when we got 'THE SMELL' our thought was that one of her firends had given her a box directly from a horse stall. Or that a mouse had stowed away in one of those boxes as we started seeing the droppings. I disassembled Prius parts stating from the rear and found droppings from there to the lower glove box that also contained pee. Looking under the hood revealed a nest of chewed insulation. So everything was cleaned up and two mouse traps set on the floor mats. One very fat & perhaps pregnant mouse was caught. So the next step is to go in behind the glove box I guess. 'Click n Clack', the car guys, suggest fresh coffee grounds to absorb the smell. I'm wondering if the engine can be steam cleaned or high pressure washed. A suggestion from desert dwelling firends w/ pack rats is to leave the hood up to bring in the light and cool air to discourage nesting and exploration. If that doesn't work I will go for the screening of openings.

 

ebsmythe,

From Terminator to, Reviver...

Thanks for the write-up, I just completed the hatch area and will do the front Saturday.

I ended up spinning momma mouse dead with the fan last weekend. As for the four little ones, I will spare you of the details.

Lastly, for what it's worth, I drove home from work in a bad rainstorm tonight and the area below the drivers side flappers had a bit of pooled water.

Thanks again...Dano.