Mouse / Rodent proofing stage one.

Hmmm, you reckon that's what these are for?

 

Got a link? Is that powered by it's own batteries or the truck's?

 

I use

$22 Angveirt Ultrasonic Rodent Repellent Under Hood Battery Operated Pest Repeller Humane Mouse Repellent for Car Engines Basement Garage Attic Rat Mice Deterrent 1 Pack

this one. It's battery powered, but they have another version that you can wire to your truck battery.

 

Cool, thank you! That's pretty cheap insurance I guess.

 

So was just doing this before/after dinner and the little bastard stuck his face out while I was putting the epoxy on! I'll admit it spooked me and I had a little yelp there for a second. I found the epoxy required holding it in place for a while which I wasn't set up for really so I ended up just using some construction adhesive and while it isn't pretty, its on and no more will be getting in. Passenger door is open with the filter out so it can escape, sprayed some anti mouse spray down the vent to encourage departure. If he isn't out in two hours, he'll be dead in a day or two.

 

Ballsy little sucker!

NOOOO!! You do NOT want dead mousy rotting in your vent! One little mouse corpse can smell enough you'd think it's an Elephant.

 

I this guy has the best approach for prevention

WARNING: If rodent hunting is not something you like to watch please do not watch this one

https://youtu.be/5S_z5mQlNbM?si=6jWZGrv4pd6DC_hY

 

^^^ Could be problematic if they're in/on your truck.

 

Ha, that's why I am giving him a few hours to clear out. I had a couple mice basically total a plow truck I used to run the smell was so bad, I am really hoping he leaves on his own!!

 

Depends on how good of a shot you are…

Sorry… I could not help myself. I have been watching a lot of these types of videos because I just bought a ZULUS day/night scope

 

SDSurfer, I grew up in mission valley area, moved to el centro for a while then to Yuma, camped all over the place out there. Never had an issue with rodents in vehicles.

Now I’m in VA a little south of DC surrounded by forest. Squirrels and mice suck. I use peppermint oil and ultrasonic devices with blinking lights. They run off car battery and use very little power. I’ve screened my fresh air vents and use a k&n cabin filter, it has metal mesh on it.

 

I was gonna pick this up until I looked at the reviews and saw pics of mice/squirrels building nests right ON these things. Looks like they might not work that well?

 

I'm just up the hill from Mission Valley, by Mesa College.

Grew up in Spring Valley when it was still pretty rural (got my training wheels taken off when the 94 was being built, and rode my bike on the freeway going "vroom vroom" for awhile) and never had any rodents chewing on cars yet... but man it just takes that one little toothy bastard to cause a world of hurt.

 

I used to ride dirt bikes and drive my truck out at Palm avenue a long time ago when 905 was 117. No rodents then, can’t stand em.

 

Don't forget about the fender air intake! I had chipmunks build a nest inside. Pull the liner and put some grating on the intake opening!
My Highlander was invaded as well as the Tundra. Grated off all access areas. Even with it grated they still try. Pine oil seemed to work so far...

 

I've had a plug-in ultrasonic mouse repeller on the garage counter for a few years and thought I was protected. The other day I started seeing some droppings on the counter so I put out a trap. Sure enough, it caught a mouse right next to the repeller.

Plus, I've had some chip and dog treat bags in the truck eaten by mice with the truck in the garage.

After reading this thread I went ahead and blocked off the air inlet with Multi-purpose Galvanized metal lathe from Home Depot. I didn't block off the holes you other guys did, though. I formed the metal lathe to fit right inside the air inlet above the cabin air filter. I held the front in place with a couple screws and then glued down the sides of the lathe so it wouldn't rattle. On second thought, I should have used 2-sided molding tape to hold it down.



A couple questions I have: is this the only place the mice would be getting in to the cabin? Is there a way for them to get past the cabin air filter? Like, have I solved the problem or do I still need to block off all the holes you other guys did?

 

I blocked all the holes, and have been mouse free. Leaving my door open for the night even seemed to have worked in letting the previous tenant escape without smelling the truck out.

 

An update on the peppermint oil trick. I'd say it works. My 124 was stored for 7 months with a pill bottle under the hood, under the car and inside on the floormat. Each had a small amount of oil and a 1/8" hole drilled in the cap. After 7 months there was a distinct peppermint odor in the garage and each of the three bottles still had most of the oil remaining. Next a gallon jug for under the Tundra hood.

 

Chipmunks are out and about. I have some luck in the highlander putting peppermint air freshener in cowl. Put one on left and right hand side where they can get it. The smell dissipates after a day or two.

 

The mice will still be able to get into your cabin if you don't block all the other holes in the firewall. Don't forget about the one on the D/S behind the wiper motor, that one seems to get missed sometimes. Good luck.

 

After blocking off the cabin air inlet, as above in post #76, I got to the cabin air filter. It was dirty and may have had the odd turd but it was intact. There were no hairs or signs of a nest either.



I don't understand how a mouse would have gotten into the cab of the truck through there if the filter is intact. Is there a way around the filter?

I cleaned everything out of the truck and there were turds all over the floor and behind the plastic panel behind the back seat, where the spare tire tool kit and jack are stored. There was a small nest in there made of the same grey insulation I see in that area. From what I can see that is a sealed area- there are no holes or perforations of any kind in that whole panel for a mouse to get into or out of. I checked the air vents on the outside back of the cab and they appear to be intact as well.

WTF? How is a mouse getting into the cab &/or behind that panel? Any thoughts?

 

I just saw your reply. So there are ways into the cab other than the cabin air vent, eh? I'll block off those those other holes then. Thanks.

 

Are there vents between the cab and bed?

 

I don't know. But I do know I've had at least 1 mouse in my truck since getting all these holes. I even added a plug to the cold air intake that isn't shown on this thread. Since then it seems to have stopped, but I am also actively catching all mice near my cars now.

 

Can you post a photo of this additional hole? I found three under the cowl.

 

I'll start by saying this: I don't know if this access point would let them get other places that matter, I just know it is an access point where I find a lot of mess regularly. Since I plugged it up I haven't really smelled mice anymore, and my filter is staying clean for the first time in my ownership of 3+ years.

 

Consider securing the the two engine air filter boxes as well. Super easy, cheap, and fast. See my post #14 here / https://www.tundras.com/threads/poor-man’s-intakes.144501/#post-3631293

 

Is gutter mesh the best option? Trying to figure out the best thing to use that the buggers cant fit or chew through. I like the double side tape idea. I think I’ll try that to attach. I’ve also heard there are flaps in between the cab and bed to let pressure out when you shut the doors. No way to block those. I live surrounded by corn fields. Mice are relentless this year.

will this mesh work?

$65 Amerimax Home Products 636025 Lock-In Gutter Guard, Black, 25 Count (Pack of 1)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P4RZCPC

 

I am using quarter inch welded steel wire hardware cloth. You can get it at tractor supply, Ace hardware, etc.

 

looks like what I used.