How to get rid of RAT MENACE (from damaging the car)

I & Sanjeev Sharma were discussing about rat menace which resulted into some of the wires in his car chewed by Rats. Since he remembered that earlier I faced this issue repeatedly, he called to ask things I did to get rid of this menace. Actually, I've explained it in my Ownership Report. But the ownership report has become a "Thesis" :mrgreen: . I thought, its better to share this as a separate topic & hence this topic.

In the month of Nov'09, twice in 1 month, rats chewed some wires in my Linea. 1st it was ABS wires & then it was AC fan wire. I was continuously travelling out of Mumbai on biz tours during that time & used to come back in week ends. Following 2 situations invites rats to make your car their home/ habitat !!!

• Car remain unused for more than 3-4 days.[/*:m:2268idsr]
• Kids munching eatables in the car dropping substantial remians in the car[/*:m:2268idsr]

Fortunately, the damage was not much & could be repaired at around Rs. 750/- & Rs. 800-900/- 2nd time. However, had they chewed the main / critical wiring, the expense could have been Rs. 30 - 40K. Hence, got worried & explored substantially how to get rid if it. I had used following items simultaneousoly as a solution. Thereafter, have never faced rat menace in my car though I continue to park at the same place:

• Chewing Tobbaco pouches - placed on seats & floor, Tied with few wires/hoses under the bonnet (nearer to where windsreen ends in 2 corners & several inside the engine bay area - can't explain exact locations, service advisor did it). These are typically locations where important wiring passes or where there is sufficient space for rat to sit & indulge in whatever he/she wants to do ::V [/*:m:2268idsr]
• Napthalene balls - on floors & in glove box (I think we should be careful dealing with napthalene balls for - Odor/ gas it emits & kids safety). Use very limited no.s[/*:m:2268idsr]
• Rat trap Glue/ Gum strip - placed on rear parcel tray - Thick half-an-inch layer of glue on which rat stucks (never happened when I tried it)[/*:m:2268idsr]
• Begon spray for insects - after parking the car, I used to spray it on all 4 wheels & inside arcs & surrounding ground, also spray it under the bonnet across the boundaries[/*:m:2268idsr]

Another item is that in your absence, ask someone to start the car & drive it for 1-2 kms to make it warm/ hot inside the engine bay.

Nice to see you back, Dr Amit

Same happened with me. About 15-20 days back, there were rat droppings in the boot & a water bottle (which was filled with water earlier) was carved a hole at the bottom & its plastic wrapper was chewed. Then I checked Glove Box. Again some signs were there also. I think Boot & GLove box are the 2 biggest possibilities of rat intrusion. Fortunately, no wites were cut. No damage. Have put a rat gum pad at nights & one morning found a rat trapped. Since then no further rat "visits"

I always felt that there are some openings in Linea from where rats are coming inside. I think these could be typically in certain cars. Have heard lot of rat menace in Maruti & other cars. However, I used to park my Ford Ikon at the same place & never ever in all these years there was a sign of rat menace (which means there mmight not be any such opening in Ford Ikon).

Are there 1 such opening in boot or 2 openings? Is it possible to post a pic? I shall also get it covered by a wire mesh

Dr. Amit

Thats quite useful. Thanks. Shall ask TASC about it in next visit (3rd service)