Warning to all Tundra owners! Rodent infestation in engine bay

A squirrel or mouse or something got in my old GMC and ate the wiper motor wires. Only way I caught it was hitting the washer fluid to clean some dust off the windshield. Felt fortunate I caught it then instead of in a rain or snow storm, but it was a mess to clean up. They pulled a bunch of insulation off the firewall also.

This has nothing to do with it being a 3rd gen

 

We have cats too, unfortunately the coyotes in our area have made it so they have to remain indoors only

 

Happened to me twice on our 2014 4 runner. Second time they had to pull the engine out to repair all the damage. I will be spraying my tundra regularly.

 

NYS raised taxes so they could pay for a committee of 27 members @ $120k p/yr and a 4 yr, 11 million$ study on how to reduce vehicle damage due to rodents.
They came up with the idea that we should post signs,

I don't have the numbers on how effective it is, but at least they're doing something about it.

 

You can buy the signs from the state for $35. The decal fades, bubbles and peels off after about a year,....but,...the good thing is they will replace it for only $25.


(Says a lot that I can joke around and say stuff like this and people will stop and think,.....wait, did they actually do that? Because it's NY and yes, they do stuff like this. The last gov blamed the mass exit of residents on not liking the weather here).

 

Yes and no. Everything outside of the cities is beautiful country. But it's almost always humid, even in winter. It wears on you. Not as extreme, but it's a mini version of the PNW. They're big bodies of water and we're directly down wind. I enjoy whenever I get to spend time in AZ and let my bones dry out.
It is a beautiful state, with a lot to offer and a lot of resources. But everything is dictated by what happens in NYC and the gov is as grandfathered in and corrupt as they come. Very little is invested in the western half of the state, but they suck all our resources.
It would be nice if we did what W Virginia did.

 

I use the remote start once a week if I’m not around. Runs for ten minutes. That should keep them guessing.

 

I had post this on a different thread but anyhow, 1/4" galvanized chicken wire cut down to the size of the intake box and inlet,bottom or top or the whole f ing thing works very well.

On the inlet side I have cut a circular size piece held it in the center with needl nose pliers heated up the circumference of the screen with a torch and seared it into the opening of the intake,it will last the test of time,but as for the whole dang thing your on your own...

 

This is a warning to anybody who has a vehicle, not just a new tundra lol. I have been around fleets forever this happens big time. In Minnesota its bad before winter they all move in looking for a warm area. When I get to my office I will post a product we have tried the last two years on a fleet of garbage trucks that has done pretty well as a spray on repellent.

 

Also, if you have animals/kids, you can put out a well blended 50/50 mix of baking soda and corn bread muffin mix... you can search youtube for it. put it in containers in bushes near area seen, in containers if outdoors to keep dry, or if inside, on paper plates. takes a bit, but they will love it. I uncovered my boat this spring to find rats had made a nest in there. what a mess. - thankfully, haven't found anything they chewed up so far, other then insulation around the battery box area. but disgusting. I've got one in a trap, and there's another I'm working on still - saw him 2 nights ago, running from my food bait trays, so hopefully he's suffering now and that's the last.

 

Sorry to hear that. During the pandemic I was working from home and barely drove our 2018 Rav4 and my 17 RX350. Both had over 10k of damage from rodents, but insurance took care of it.

I havn't noticed any issues when we drive our cars on a daily basis. My advice is if you have a vehicle that barely gets any use, move it around every couple of days.

 

I use an all natural squirrel killer. Legal in all 50 states!

 

Happy dog but you better tell that dog he doesnt know where that squirrel has been.

 

A rodent of some type ate through a hose on mine a couple of years ago, and one made a nest in the cabin air filter. I used this, and my wife started putting out food for the stray cats. The cat population grew during the summer (people in my neighborhood seem to get kittens and kick them out when they become cats) and I haven't seen any signs of rodents lately.

 

The squirrels in my yard eat the tops of my sprinklers, the selector valve on my pool filter and terminal covers on my truck battery. This despite a dog, 2 cats and numerous feral cats,possums, raccoons,foxes and deer in the yard.

 

We went through this when Mom was still driving - but not much - and a pack rat moved into her Hyundai.


Now we buy this stuff by the brick. Toss a sachet in the glove box and a couple in the engine bay.

 

I've seen these on Amazon (Under Hood Animal Repeller Car Rat Repeller)and wondered if anyone has ever tried on. Is this a gimmick, or would it work?

$56 Loraffe 2 Pack Under Hood Animal Car Repeller Rodent Electronic Repellent Device 12V Rat Ultra Sonic Strobe Light Get Rid of Mice in Car Automotive Vehicle

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D118ZRJ/?coliid=IIHX36ZVQD54J&colid=YZ4ULE1H1PME

 

$30 Under Hood Animal Car Repeller Rodent Electronic Repellent Ultra Sonic Rat Strobe Light Keep Mice Away from Car Pest Prevention for 12V 24V Automobile

Amazon.com: Loraffe Under Hood Animal Repeller Rodent Repellent Ultrasonic Rat Deterrent LED Strobe Lights Keep Mice Away from Car Pest Control for 12V 24V Automobile Truck RV, Rodent Defense Vehicle Protection : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Had it on my 2016 and never had a problem, thinking of getting another for the new truck.

 

Same here. They work better than anything I’ve tried, including Irish soap and mint sprays. They also stay effective for a long time.

 

I gave up on my mouse infestation inside my 2005 scion xB and simply removed the entire interior...except for the driver’s seat. No carpet, no headliner, all other seats, under hood insulation. I never had food in my vehicle either. After driving around like that for 2 years i finally put the little van up on a 2 post lift and methodically covered each and every vent hole with a stainless steel screen...and i mean each and every vent, including the airbox filter intake. I spent about 4~5 hours doing it. I reinstalled the entire interior and haven’t had an issue since. But now they tend to migrate to hanging out under my 2004 Tundra’s intake manifold. Must be some tasty starter motor wires under there.

 

I have a vole problem in my yard. Never knew what was killing all my plants until I finally saw the big bastard. He makes paths in the grass and luckily he hasn't been in any of my cars or camper. I used this product vole/mole repellant and surprisingly he left. So the proof is repelants do work.

 

I have heard(anecdotally) that the wiring on these vehicles contain soy, which attracts rodents. I don't know if this is true? Perhaps a product like this would help? https://nhoilundercoating.com/nhou-mouse-out/

I am fortunate that my vehicle is able to stay inside, and I have not experienced this.