How Can Rats Ruin Your Car?
WouterIn recent years, there has been an increase in cases of rodent damage to cars. These creatures can cause problems with a variety of car components, including wiring, hoses, and plastic. In some cases, they can cause the engine to run poorly, fail to start, or even cause a check engine light to come on. The problem is so widespread that some automakers have had to fund defense research to protect their vehicles from rodents.
When a rodent enters your car, they are seeking a dark, warm and safe home under the hood. This can be a dangerous situation for both the rodent and the driver. When the engine starts, the rodents can be killed by the start-up of car machinery. Some cases have been reported of a driver injuring their brakes as a result of a rat chewing on the wires.
Rats will also chew up the wires of fuel injectors and ignition systems, resulting in misfired ignitions. The check engine light might also come on if the rats have gnawed through the wires. To prevent this, owners should inspect their vehicles for fecal droppings and nests, and check the exhaust and hoses to ensure that they are clean.
Aside from droppings, rats will leave urine, nesting materials, and small bones. A good way to detect the presence of rats is by checking for rat urine or powdered fox urine. Other options include spraying red pepper on engine wires or using cat litter. You can also spray Rataway on your engine wires, which discourages them from chewing on your car.
