Question: Rats, Mice, Chipmunks Oh My!!!

[C4_Lover]

Hello, I am the owner of 2 C4 vettes. 1996 CE LT4, and a 1994 White Convertible. Unfortunatly I don't have a garage to keep either of my babies in. The 96 stays in what I like to call a portable garage. This is a free standing structure with a type of canvas top, sides and doors but is not completely weather proof. The 94 stays outside. Both have a Noah car cover on each. My question: is there a way to seal off any entry ways into the cars so that rodents cannot get in? My friend told me I should try and block the exhaust so nothing can crawl into it. Is this correct? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[njlouc]

I doubt that the critters will crawl into an exhaust but you never know and you dont need that. For peace of mind you could put a "cut opened" water bottle on the end cost = $0. cut it so that it fits snug so it doesnt blow off
Also you really should figure a way to protect the hood liner since they love that for nest making.
I have been told that moth balls work, but am not too positive.

 

[C4_Lover]

Do you know a way of protecting the hood liner?

 

[muddywaters]

I don't know where I heard it, but cloths dryer sheets are "said" to repel the little bastards. Rags work for the exaust also. Think about it, If a rodent makes his nest in the ehx. sys. of any Vette, let alone some of the big powered ones, that rodent is going for the ride of his life when the car is started for the first time of the season. A proper eviction..............

 

[C4_Lover]

Thanks, but here's a dumb question, where would I put the dryer sheets? Interior, under dashboard, eng compartment???

 

[muddywaters]

Thanks, but here's a dumb question, where would I put the dryer sheets? Interior, under dashboard, eng compartment???

I was hoping that some else would chime in on the dryer sheets, I thought I picked that tidbit up here. They were to be put in the interior on the floor. I wondered about gassing -off issues in the interior. Hey, anything is possible.............

 

[Rabbit]

I was hoping that some else would chime in on the dryer sheets, I thought I picked that tidbit up here. They were to be put in the interior on the floor. I wondered about gassing -off issues in the interior. Hey, anything is possible.............

Google..dryer sheets mice...you'll get quite a few opinions.

I use mothballs in mine. So far have caught 2 of the critters, outside, in traps. They have not made entry as yet. Could be the mothballs work.

Only downside is the odor will linger a while, but it does tend to clear your sinus passages.

 

[Tuna]

Several years ago, my C4 was parked in a 'barn' some 70 yards behind my house. It had roll up doors on each end and a regular door. All shut well so I didn't think much about rodents. Then one day I was checking my K&N air filter and found a mouse nest in the air box. After cleaning the air box and the air filter, I started looking for other rodent activity. I found another mouse nest in the spare tire along with the jack. Lucky for me, they hadn't started chewing on the wires yet and I didn't find any more nests.

I toyed with the idea of putting one of those bubble car storage bags around the car but couldn't see spending the money. However, a lot of spray foam insulation later and mouse traps everywhere, my barn was 'really sealed' and rodent free - and snake free also.

That didn't stop me from checking it more often for mice however.

 

[muddywaters]

The eternal srtuggle against Rodents will continue forever...........Now, Let's drink.....

 

[C4_Lover]

Thanks for the info everyone. I will try the dryer sheets, moth balls and traps. If anyone has any more info, please pass it along. Thanks.

 

[air1jpg]

What things should I look out for if I needed to store my vete in the driveway outside? I have a all weather cover and a battery tender already, is there anything else I can do? Should mice me a non issue for me since the car will be out in the cold?

 

[93Rubie]

My vette sits in a real honest to goodness barn. I got mothballs surrounding the car. Got the hang type inside the engine compartment. I used plastic bags with some rubber bands to go over the exhaust tips. Smells like mothballs when I go into the barn. I have six mouse traps under the car. One at each wheel and then two in middle. No problems with mice (knock on wood).

 

[parkercoman]

I hate Squirrels

Squirrels have cost me much pain. 3 time in my truck eating through wires. My trick which seems to work on both mice and Squirrels is dryer sheets every where and in places you think they might get to and do harm take steel wool and place it in the openings. They will try and eat through it and it kills them dead before they can get in. Not that I would want to harm another living creature but when it comes to my babies I will protect them till death.
;squint:

 

[G Winter]

I have had good luck with Irish Spring bar soap. Place on plastic plates on the floorboards on the tires inside the rear and on top of the engine.I also set some around the car. Just parts of bars will work. On top of that I spread mouse and rat poison all around the outside of the garage. I get that from my friendly Orkin man. This poison isn't supposed to hurt cats, dogs etc.
I also know of a product that is made locally that has very good endorsements , also VERY safe. If anyone is interested PM me and I will put you in touch.

Glenn

 

[vett boy]

I use a product called "one bite".I works but it should not be used near domestic animals .
Peanut butter with some good old anti freeze works also .Again beware of domestic animals.

 

[89blackvette]

I have a mean Tom Cat that lives in my garage. He hates anything that moves and is not willing to share his domain with anything, he also likes the taste of mouse meat. No problem as long as he lives there. I keep him well fed and watered but he still likes those little crunchy deserts.

 

[kenmack]

Beware

If you are using a battery tender,you are creating a source of warmth for rodents at the battery.hnoes
First time this happened to me, a rat ate all the insulation off the R rear fuel injector wires and destroyed the silver insulating blanket on the r rear side of engine.:confused What a friggen mess.
Three weeks ago I got another one sitting inside on the inner fender again just above the battery.:ugh

GOT HIM with rat trap and peanut butter.

Now I have traps set under the hood PERMANENTLY.

I don't know of a fool proof method but I've been told if you can, leave your hood up.That apparently stops the "under hood" invasions and potential damage.
P.S. Don't take a "wait and see" attitude on this one,by the time you find you have a problem,you probably will find some NASTY damage.

 

[air1jpg]

If you are using a battery tender,you are creating a source of warmth for rodents at the battery.hnoes
First time this happened to me, a rat ate all the insulation off the R rear fuel injector wires and destroyed the silver insulating blanket on the r rear side of engine.:confused What a friggen mess.
Three weeks ago I got another one sitting inside on the inner fender again just above the battery.:ugh

GOT HIM with rat trap and peanut butter.

Now I have traps set under the hood PERMANENTLY.

I don't know of a fool proof method but I've been told if you can, leave your hood up.That apparently stops the "under hood" invasions and potential damage.
P.S. Don't take a "wait and see" attitude on this one,by the time you find you have a problem,you probably will find some NASTY damage.

If my car is outside, would the battery tender still get warm enough to attract mice? Should I put some moth balls around the battery tender?

 

[Mikfa]

I can chime in with some info on dryer sheets. Plain and simple, they don't work. Last year I went to check on my vette shortly after putting it into storage. My dryer sheets were still "fresh" yet the beginnings of a nest was evident on my new LLoyds trunk matt (right beside a dryer sheet). Worse, the one I placed on the intake was being used by mice to cover their nest. I set traps at the inside of each wheel and placed rodent poison around the car. I checked regularly after that and saw no signs of them for the rest of the season. This year I started out with the traps and poison and haven't seen a mouse near my car. I used to use dryer sheets religeously on my motor home, but the vette was an eye opener for me. Dead mice can't hurt your vette.

 

[kenmack]

The Battery is warm

The rodents are attracted to the battery,because even a small intermittent 1 or 2 amp charge makes it generate some warmth.
I reccomend the traps and poison.

P.S. SEE POST VETTE CAUGHT ON FIRE !!!!!!hnoes
probably caused by rodent.