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Pack Rats in my new Prius cabin!!

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by cricket, Mar 27, 2019.

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  1. cricket

    cricket Junior Member

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    I have a 17 Prius (new to me, at least) and pack rats are getting INSIDE the cabin, not in the engine. I know how to deal with them in the engine, but took it to my mechanic to see about sealing up entrances to cabin (I don't leave windows up!) He said to ask Toyota (?) but thought I would check here if it may be a DYI. Can someone help me locate the air intake vents or any other possible entries? P.S. Irish Spring, dryer sheets and even traps ( I tried) don't work. Thanks for any advice!
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there are threads here detailing gen 3, not sure about 4. might be worth a read and looking to see if the entrances are similar. not an easy task.

    others have put repellents and traps out, but no good if you're parked outside
     
  3. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I'd suggest closing the windows.
     
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  4. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    +1

    Mieces are pretty good at doing what mieces do....which is why even in 2019 ships commonly use "rat guards" on their mooring lines, and it is not at all uncommon for consumables and dry goods to be removed from cardboard containers before being stored on board.
    It also gives the sailors an opportunity to be good stewards of the marine environment by minimizing trash output.

    Notice to PITAs:
    Rat guards are not armed individuals that intend in any way to harm mieces, but metallic devices to keep them from gaining access to my country's Naval wessels by cruising along up the mooring lines ("ropes")
    Rats and mieces are, of course, very good swimmers, but slick metal hulls offer little opportunity to further one's stowaway career, AND there are organisms in the sea that have this weird idea that air-breathing mammals are a good source of protein.


    [​IMG]
    Mieces are relatively intelligent creatures, which is why they're not usually found aboard US Submarines....but that's another story.


    So....
    MY advice in your case, in addition to keeping winders in the up position, would be to place glue traps under the car, and perhaps one inside as well.
    They smell faintly vanilla-y (which mieces like) and if you have a pair of pliers, they're reusable.
    Sometimes their little feet will stay attached to the glue trap after they're removed, but this does not deterr other mieces from being attracted to the trap.....so I guess they're not THAT intelligent. ;)

    Also you probably need to replace your cabin air filter.
    If I'm right, you'll find out why.
    If not.....it will not hurt anything.

    Good Luck!
     
    #4 ETC(SS), Mar 27, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2019
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  5. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Active Member

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    Thankfully there are cats wandering around my apartment complex that keep rats and squirrels in check. I just have to buy some cat food once in a while for them when I remember.
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Probably need to take the wipers and cowl off, to put mesh over the cabin air intake, assuming it's similar to third gen.

    There's likely additional egress points at the two rear corners of the car, below the hatch deck: it's exhaust for the hybrid battery cooling air. But those points are maybe not as trouble prone?

    Also you might put mesh at the end of the engine air filter intake snorkel.
     
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  7. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Gen 4 doesn't have a hybrid battery vent to outside the car:

    upload_2019-3-28_8-2-50.png
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    (4) upload_2019-3-28_8-0-57.png
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    upload_2019-3-28_8-4-25.png
     

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  8. ekpolk

    ekpolk What could possibly...

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    MouseProofing the Prius | PriusChat That's the link to the multi-page discussion in the Knowledge Base sub-forum here on Priuschat. This topic is either waaaaaay more interesting than I'd have ever thought -- or mice and rats reeeeeeeeeally like getting into Priuses!
     
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  9. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    They'll get into any cars - or houses, sheds ... and pianos.
    upload_2019-3-28_8-8-14.png

    But keeping the windows closed on a car should be the first thing to do.
     
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  10. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    That certainly should be in the Owner's Manual. Not behind a paywall.:mad:
     
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  12. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I am not even sure how it would be removed.
     
  13. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    USA Owners Manual

    upload_2019-3-28_9-8-30.png

    upload_2019-3-28_9-9-32.png

    There's a plastic clip from memory - I pulled it out a year or so ago and it was like new. But I have a non-shedding dog.
     

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  14. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Thanks. I just found it Why wouldn't it be under "Maintenance and care" though??? :confused:
     
  15. ekpolk

    ekpolk What could possibly...

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    So they'll do surface ships but not subs?!? Faint hint of radioactive glow on the mooring lines? ;)

    . . .
    :sick::sick::sick:
     
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  16. ekpolk

    ekpolk What could possibly...

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    Yeah, I'm going to second that as well. Consider: Hot cabin vs Bubonic Plague??? I think I'm coming down in favor of the hot cabin. . .
     
  17. ekpolk

    ekpolk What could possibly...

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    Maybe the manual needs a "Pest Control" section too.
     
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  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i've been carrying water bottles for 15 years, who knew?:eek:
     
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  19. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    My Dad had a bottle of water in his boot always. I think it came from the '49 Austin, then the '59 Holden always needing water. Still, the '92 Camry, which never needed water still had a box of goodies in the corner of the boot - including a plastic 4 litre bottle of water, a blanket, raincoat and a toolbox with a collection of tools which I suspect he wouldn't know much about how to use- on a '92 car.

    When he stopped driving, I cleaned out the boot, picked up the water bottle by the handle - and the top lifted off, the water went everywhere. Seems heat affected.
     
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  20. ekpolk

    ekpolk What could possibly...

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    Wait -- I know! This is another case for the Trunk Monkey! He knows how to deal with unwelcome automotive intruders! :p;):cool:
     
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