Did you know that you could be chauffeuring mice around in your car without even knowing it? While mice may be tiny, they can create major problems, not only in your home or business, but also for you and your vehicle. Mice carry and can spread disease and cause a ton of damage to your vehicle in just a matter of days. Are mice living in your car in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan?
Understanding why Mice Would Live in Your Car
Finding mice living in your car is not as uncommon as you may think. Cars, like homes and businesses, are appealing places for rodents to live. They provide a warm shelter and protection from larger predators, while sometimes also offering irresistible food sources.
Mice may make a home in a vehicle if it is parked near convenient food sources like bird feeders, dumpsters or trash cans, or in an area where pet food is stored, like a garage. Leaving leftover food or crumbs in your car will also attract these hungry rodents.
The warmth of a car’s engine, especially in the colder months, may draw mice to move into your vehicle. The dark, confined spaces beneath your car’s hood offer good protection for these small rodents and lots of places for them to build nests.
Damage Mice can Cause to Your Car
Having mice living in your car can cause damage and issues for your vehicle. Mice can chew on wiring, insulation, and air filters, causing them to need replacing. They also can create a strong foul odor in your car due to the smell of their urine coming in through the car’s vents. Once inside, mice may chew and nest on upholstery.
Like most other rodents, mice can also carry disease that can be harmful to your health. If there is a nest in or near the car’s air filter, each time you turn the ventilation system on, you are blowing dander and particles into your car, which can trigger allergies.
Let’s not forget the most damage a mice infestation in your car can cause, an accident. If you are driving and a mouse runs across your foot, this could create a dangerous situation for you and others on the road.
Signs that you have Mice Living in Your Car
There are ways to tell if you have mice living in your car:
- Visible mice signs: First and foremost, if you see a mouse in your car, that is a dead giveaway that you have mice living your car. You may also find mouse droppings or see their nest.
- Strong foul odor: If you detect a bad smell coming from or in your car, it could be due to a rodent problem. Mice will use the vent system as a tunnel to get from the engine bay to your car’s interior. Car vents provide easy access to insulation and filter materials that mice can use to build nests.
- Car issues/problems: You may discover a rodent problem after your car won’t start or isn’t working properly. This is frequently caused by mice chewing through wires in the engine compartment. There is some evidence that mice find newer soy-based wire insulation materials to be mouthwatering.
- Damaged upholstery: If mice are living in your car, they will make themselves at home and look for materials to build a nest. Car upholstery can be the perfect material for mice to make a nest with. Finding scratches and/or holes in your seats, missing chunks of insulation or chewed-up foam, are signs that you have mice, or other rodents, living in your vehicle.
Rodent Remediation
Whether you have mice in your Northwest Ohio or Southeast Michigan home, business, or vehicle, due to their ability to reproduce quickly, cause health issues, and the damage they can create, you should contact a rodent remediation professional to help you solve your problem.
A rodent infestation can be a major nuisance, especially if you have mice living in your car. Delving Pest Control is here to help. Trust Delving Pest Control to eliminate your unwanted rodents quickly and discreetly. Contact us today to help you send an eviction notice to mice taking up residence in your vehicle.
