rodents chewing fuel lines - what can be done?

[R18Civic]

When I was given the 2012 Honda Civic by my mom last March the fuel lines had been chewed up by squirrels or rats.

Now my stepdads 2018 Malibu just had the same issue.

Is there anything you can coat the fuel lines in to deter the rodents from chewing them up? I really don't want to have them doomed to lifetime of replacing fuellines whenever a car sits too long. The also live very close to a wooded area which further complicates things.

 

[Rand]

Cat, pepper spray, Pepper tape, other unconfirmed scents etc.

 

[f355spider]

Honda sells tape you can wrap around your lines to protect them....there are alternatives on Amazon as well.

 

[f355spider]

I also got some bait stations from a farm/feed supply store, but you can get them online:

https://www.amazon.com/Tomcat-Killer-Tier-Refillable-Station/dp/B00CQDNBTG/

I check them at least once a month and refill as needed.

 

[Kira]

With decades of dealing with vermin chewing brake lines and wires, you'd think the involved industries would've solved the problem.

 

[vavavroom]

My vehicles have never fallen prey to rodent or weasel attacks. I do park in wooded areas quite often. Birds use my cars for target practice.

 

[R18Civic]

My step dad has a .22 he'd like to solve the problem with. Too bad he lives so close to the interstate.

 

[Passport1]

Get one of these ball bearing mouse traps.

Newsweek

 

[f355spider]

I also got some bait stations from a farm/feed supply store, but you can get them online:

https://www.amazon.com/Tomcat-Killer-Tier-Refillable-Station/dp/B00CQDNBTG/

I check them at least once a month and refill as needed.

This thread is a reminder....I last checked my bait stations about two weeks ago.... today, outside the house ones (front and back porch) were fine, but the two in my garage were empty! Darn rats and mice. I refilled them just now. Sometimes I can go months without refilling them, and other times its every two or three weeks.

 

[CCI]

When I was given the 2012 Honda Civic by my mom last March the fuel lines had been chewed up by squirrels or rats.

Now my stepdads 2018 Malibu just had the same issue.

Is there anything you can coat the fuel lines in to deter the rodents from chewing them up? I really don't want to have them doomed to lifetime of replacing fuellines whenever a car sits too long. The also live very close to a wooded area which further complicates things.

Peppermint oil will repel certain rodents, as will cedar oil.

Vicks VapoRub works for other rodents in other parts of the country.

Using any of the poisons that work as blood thinners to control rodents has a certain risk -- if a dog eats the dead rodent the dog can also be killed. Sometimes the dog can be saved with a very high dose of Vitamin K in a high fat diet, but the dog may never fully recover.

 

[fantastic]

I've been spraying great value "febreeze" fabric spray inside my engine bay mainly on the sound/heat insulation.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Great-Value-Fabric-Air-Refresher-Fresh-Linen-27-fl-oz/374412971

I don't recommend buying the "Tropical" version below so be careful. In my mind "Tropical" smell may attract them.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Great-Value-Hawaiian-Fabric-Air-Refresher-27-fl-oz/771599190

I have no evidence that above works other than I've not had any trouble so far but I do try to park the truck inside the garage most of the winter.

 

[R18Civic]

Get one of these ball bearing mouse traps.

View attachment 255039
Newsweek

We had one. One year it got flea infested, that cost 600+ following year it got bit up by ticks. Gave it up for adoption who could better care for him. I miss the little guy.

 

[f355spider]

I've been spraying great value "febreeze" fabric spray inside my engine bay mainly on the sound/heat insulation.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Great-Va...1?classType=REGULAR&athbdg=L1600&from=/search

I don't recommend buying the "Tropical" version below so be careful. In my mind "Tropical" smell may attract them.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Great-Va...l-oz/771599190?classType=REGULAR&from=/search

I have no evidence that above works other than I've not had any trouble so far but I do try to park the truck inside the garage most of the winter.

Be aware that mice can squeeze through the tiniest of openings, so a garage is not much protection. Traps or bait stations are good insurance.

 

[Braapdaddy]

Honda Rat tape

 

[bullwinkle]

We had one. One year it got flea infested, that cost 600+ following year it got bit up by ticks. Gave it up for adoption who could better care for him. I miss the little guy.

View attachment 255049

Revolution once a month works well for that, kills fleas & ticks.

 

[loneryder]

When I was given the 2012 Honda Civic by my mom last March the fuel lines had been chewed up by squirrels or rats.

Now my stepdads 2018 Malibu just had the same issue.

Is there anything you can coat the fuel lines in to deter the rodents from chewing them up? I really don't want to have them doomed to lifetime of replacing fuellines whenever a car sits too long. The also live very close to a wooded area which further complicates things.

I keep a block of mouse bait under the hood on the battery and have no more rodents.

 

[Elkins45]

After mice completely disconnected the throttle body harness in my Scion I started wiring cotton pads soaked with peppermint oil in the engine compartments of all my vehicles. Last week I noticed mice had chewed up the cotton pads in my older xB.

I keep baited mouse traps in the passenger floor of all my vehicles. I’m averaging about one mouse a week with no rhyme or reason as to which car it’s in.

 

[Danno]

Bait stations around perimeter of the car. 10 - 12 or so. I use Tomcat brand.
I would also use Victory mouse traps under the car, put cheddar cheese with peanut butter in the metal trigger jaw.
Cheese needs to be forced into the jaw, otherwise they just lick it without triggering the trap.
Think layers of defence.

 

[f355spider]

Revolution once a month works well for that, kills fleas & ticks.

I get Frontline from Costco when it goes on sale.

 

[mva]

I keep urinal puck from Dollar store in a ziplock bag under the hood in both vehicles - I had lots of issues before but no more mice afterwards. I control the amount of smell by adjusting the ziplock opening.