If you’re a new car owner, you may not think of squirrels as a threat to your investment. Ask around a bit, though, and you may hear otherwise.
Why do squirrels enjoy car engines so much? Simply put, they see it as a safe space where they have plenty of wires they can chew on. This is why the lifespan of a car that houses a squirrel is likely to drop dramatically.
Want to know how to keep squirrels out of your car engine? Here are some time-proven tips that can help you do that while keeping your car safe!
Take Care of Your Food
First things first: never leave any food in your vehicle. If you do, your car becomes prime real estate for all sorts of rodents, including squirrels. And once they’re in, it won’t take them too long to find the engine.
Keep in mind that squirrels often live in areas without many trees. This means they have a lot of competition to make their nests. Leaving food in your car may make them think they’ve found the perfect spot.
Squirrel-Proof Your Car
Think your car is safe in your garage? Think again: squirrels only need a hole as small as two inches to get through. To avoid that, plug any holes in your garage with sheet metal, stainless steel mesh, or aluminum flashing.
When it comes to preventing squirrels from chewing wires, your best bet is to use rodent-deterrent tape. This is electrical tape with capsaicin, a chili pepper extract. Getting your wires in order also helps with car maintenance.
Use Taste Deterrents
Speaking of deterrents, anything that reminds a squirrel of predators will do the trick. This includes garlic, ammonia, and apple cider. You can find a bitter apple cider spray in most veterinary clinics and pet stores.
A word of warning: if you’re using a spray, be careful how you do it. Spraying it in the wrong place can cause engine maintenance issues. To be safe, talk to a mechanic before spraying anything inside the engine.
Pop the Hood Open
If you already have a squirrel in your engine, chances are there’s a nest in there as well. If so, getting rid of squirrels should be your priority. One thing that can help: leaving the hood of your car open for a day or two.
See, the reason squirrels nest in your engine is because it feels safe. If the hood is open, the noise and light will make the engine seem like a risky bet. Most squirrels respond by relocating their nest to another den site.
This Is How to Keep Squirrels Out of Your Car Engine
Not many car owners think they need to know how to keep squirrels out of their car engine, but they do. As cute as they are, these critters can do a lot of damage to an engine, particularly if you don’t deal with them in time.
Has your car’s engine been the target of a squirrel attack? Bring it to the Express Auto Service, where our experts will diagnose and fix the issue! Contact us here to learn why we’ve been in this business for over 30 years.