Winter Pest Prevention and Storage Tips

It's no secret that Vancouver Island is home to many species of common rodents. With the Winter cold fast approaching, these pests will seek out shelter from the elements. And one of their favourite places to nest up in, or go for a snack is our vehicles.

The warmth and shelter of an engine compartment or poorly sealed vehicle is like heaven to a mouse or rat. Especially a vehicle that sits for long periods, as the disturbances are minimum to its residents.  Combined with this safe space, they also feed off the various materials inside the vehicle and engine compartment. Modern wiring uses soy based casings, which make for a tasty snack, and a not so desirable outcome for you. Other materials like foam covers and plastics seem to be another option for them to nibble on. Regardless of their favourite menu item, there are ways we can limit these invasive pests from making our vehicles their new Winter vacation spot.

As you can see in the image above, something has chewed through the wire casing and actually exposed bare copper on the coil wires for this engine. Not good! Notice their droppings too as evidence they are frequenting that space.

Mixed shells from nuts/ food sources can also lead to a messy engine bay, and with enough buildup can also make your engine run hotter if insulated enough on certain components.

Textiles and certain foams are a favourite snack for them, and modern vehicles are filled with these materials inside and out.

Tips for Preventing Pests

• Don't leave your vehicle unattended for longer than a week or two without starting or driving it during our Winter season.
• Make sure any and all areas are sealed from the outside as rodents can squeeze into even the smallest of gaps!
• Use of certain perfume heavy products can deter rodents from living in your car. If you see evidence of their activity, we recommend shaving some Irish Spring Soap bar into a teabag, and tying it on to a safe spot under the hood to keep them away. Or, peppermint oil on a cotton ball safely away from any heat sources. Replace every few weeks. 
• Do not under any circumstances use a car cover outdoors in Victoria during the wet months. Moisture will develop inside the car and lead to mold. More damage will happen to the vehicle WITH a cover than if you were to leave it uncovered. Outdoor covers also blow around and cause scratches, and other wear on the paint. They're also perfect hiding spots for rodents.
• Regularly check under your hood and in the trunk space areas of your car for signs of activity. If you see any chew or damage marks, we suggest having your favourite mechanic take a look to ensure the safety of your vehicle.
• Having an engine bay detail is also a great idea semi regularly as it will keep the compartment looking great, and also make it less hospitable for any critters. We can always look after this for our clients.

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