2009 - Mice getting in the cabin! WTH?!? (merged thread)

49130 Views 115 Replies 53 Participants Last post by Kevin, 6 mo ago

bensonius

Discussion Starter · Feb 8, 2010

This an MY09 Forester 2.5X MT

So, I discovered we had a couple little friends living in the car this weekend. Lots of poop in the back and discovered a nest in the spare tire well. I found they must have started in the engine bay, as there are bunch of seeds in there and actually saw one of the buggers after I lifted the hood.

So now, I have to ask, where do you think a good spot would be for them to get in the cabin. I'm assuming it was through the firewall, but I can't find any holes that are obvious. All the wiring looms are sealed pretty well, the steering column too. I was thinking that maybe it was through one of the fresh air vents? Except I don't really know where those are.

Any pointers? I already caught 2 with traps in 10 hours...it's pretty gross when you find mouse poo in your cupholders

Thanks.

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TC2000

· #2 · Feb 8, 2010

Ill bet there getting in thru the baffles in the rear quarter panels

Real Lyte

· #3 · Feb 8, 2010

Drainage holes prolly in the cabin and rear.

toysbyus

· #4 · Feb 8, 2010

Leave a couple of"

1) Moth balls overnight

OR, even better:

2) Some cat urine "cakes" in the car........borrow from a friend who has cats.

You'll never see them again.......

Steve

bensonius

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 8, 2010

Ahh, that makes sense. There was a lot of prints and poop in the very back corners, under those two little rear carpet panels.

Where abouts are the "baffles" and drainage holes? I imagine I'll have to stuff them with steel wool or something? I've never really had to deal mice before, so any suggestions are welcome.

TC2000

· #6 · Feb 8, 2010

their under the rear bumper cover

Flooded spare wheel well

2.5x_sleeper

· #7 · Feb 8, 2010

bensonius said:
Ahh, that makes sense. There was a lot of prints and poop in the very back corners, under those two little rear carpet panels.

Where abouts are the "baffles" and drainage holes? I imagine I'll have to stuff them with steel wool or something? I've never really had to deal mice before, so any suggestions are welcome.

The vents are to allow air flow out of the vehicle when you're pulling in outside air, especially when the windows are closed, so you don't want to plug them. You may want to fabricate a screen cover to keep the rodents from coming in.

Bobby...

['07 FSXT Member Journal] ['03 X Member Journal]

dr k

· #8 · Feb 8, 2010

Dewds, wouldn't urine cakes smell like a pissy foz?

vicali

· #9 · Feb 8, 2010

Better than the alternative.

I would try the moth balls first, keep trapping, and put a cat in there if that doesn't work. Do you park it in the grass?

My inlaws are fighting the same battle up in northern AB with mice, even worse they got a $2500 bill when the local squirrel decided their trucks dash would make a good nest..

bensonius

Discussion Starter · #10 · Feb 8, 2010

No grass, but we live beside orchards and fields, right behind the Kelowna airport...my biggest fear the is the Hanta and the mice thinking some of the pretty coloured wires might be candy.

I think I might try moth balls, as well, I read somewhere that chunks of Irish Spring soap is supposed to work nicely. I really don't want to take off the bumper, but if all else fails I will for sure.

vicali

· #11 · Feb 8, 2010

might try dryer sheets as well..

wombat890

· #12 · Feb 9, 2010

Another thing to put in the car are those "smelly trees" that hang from the rear view mirrors.
They don't like the raspberries ones.
Not many people do either.

BlueBrick

· #13 · Feb 9, 2010

Try the moth balls all around the outside of your car and the vent can be accessed thru the inner cargo area(on '03-'08 MY, don't know if yours is the same) by pulling out the styrofoam inserts in the cargo area. Also put your HVAC controls on recirculate(will have to make sure flow is to footwell or vents for the recirc to work) as this will close the vent for outside fresh air. Just remember to change to fresh air when driving or you'll fog up fast.

sicko

· #14 · Feb 10, 2010

Have you pulled the cabin air filter to see if maybe they busted through there? It's rare, but i've heard of people finding the remains of a mouse or nest when they change their cabin air filter.

stevemac829

· #15 · Feb 10, 2010

Yah, could be. Check the engine air filter , too, they love to make a nest in there. Do everything the other posters advised, and set out even more traps...in and out of the car. This is a war, and you've got to fight it all out.
No mercy, you've got to kill those buggers. Are you parking outside? You might need to buy one of those ...not sure what to call it...it's like a canvas-covered quonset hut that you can stash a vehicle in. Good huntin',
Steve
09 2.5X AT

TheEmrys

· #16 · Feb 10, 2010

Throw two bars of Irish Spring soap in your car. Better than mothballs or cat urine any day. Mice HATE it.

neoshi

· #17 · Feb 10, 2010

Mm I love the smell of Irish Spring bar soap (not the body wash)..

Must have been a cat in my past life then.

Blue&Red

· #18 · Feb 10, 2010

I would strongly advise against the use of mothballs or flakes.
The odor will get rid of the mice, but it will also keep you out.
Years ago I had a problem with squirrels running along a ledge under my apartment widows.
One of the little illegitimate sons tore though a nylon screen and attacked a house plant. Big mess.
I put mothballs on the ledge, but after 6-8 hours I couldn't breathe.
This was a 2 bedroom second floor apartment in summer with the widows open.
I can't imagine what it would be like in a closed Foz in winter.
Clean the interior thoroughly, set traps where you find feces and check them often.
We've used "Tomcat Glue Traps" at home. they also work well for spiders and crickets.
Good Luck,
Red

neoshi

· #19 · Feb 10, 2010

Your clothes will also REEK of mothball smell.

Believe me.. I know.. I'm Asian. LOL

TSi+WRX

· #20 · Feb 10, 2010

^ Oh, that ain't right! :icon_biggrin:

[ /me is first-generation Taiwanese, of, in-turn, first-generation Chinese descent. ]

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