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My Prius mouse story

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Patrick Wong, May 22, 2021.

  1. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Hello,

    I've owned four Prius (Classic, two G2, and this 2015 G3). In the past couple of weeks I've had problems with rodent infestation in the 2015, which is the first time I had to deal with the issue. The first evidence was hearing a terrible noise from the cabin blower fan. I removed the cabin air filter which had debris and a small hole in it. I reached down to the fan area and pulled out a few oak acorns.

    I replaced the cabin air filter and hoped for the best. A couple of weeks later, I looked at the cabin air filter again and the top was filled with nesting material and numerous tiny mouse poop. So I decided to get serious.

    Using a work light and a mirror, looking into the 10" x 8" rectangular hole in the bulkhead, I was able to see some mouse droppings on a ledge that is above the cabin air filter so I used a vacuum and a flexible rubber hose to suck those out. I then applied 1/2" square wire mesh to that hole using a couple of barbed plastic fasteners to secure the mesh.

    I also removed and cleaned the steel cowl tray. The plastic divider that sits on top of the cowl tray, closest to the passenger fender, had been gnawed upon so I ordered a replacement.

    I ordered a couple of battery powered ultrasonic repellent devices from Amazon and will see how they work. I didn't want the devices which connect to the Prius battery, as you know that battery is marginal at best without aftermarket devices being attached that draw power when the car is IG-OFF.

    Amazon.com : Loraffe Pack of 2 Under Hood Animal Repeller Battery Operated Rodent Repellent Ultrasonic Rat Strobe Light Mouse Deterrent for Car Engine Garage Attic Warehouse Indoor Pest Control, Vehicle Protection : Garden & Outdoor

    Attached are a few photos:
    IMG_0757.JPG IMG_0757.JPG IMG_0758.JPG IMG_0759.JPG IMG_0760.JPG

    In closing, I have to say that the Prius cabin ventilation design is very poor with regards to rodent infestation. Once the rodent has access to that rectangular hole, it can potentially go anywhere in the passenger cabin because of the large access hole above the cabin air filter.

    Alternative designs can be found with Jaguar and BMW for example. In my Jaguar XK and BMW X3, the cabin air filter is mounted vertically and the question of rodent infestation there would not be an issue. (Of course, those vehicles have their own ownership issues which I won't get into here.)
     
    #1 Patrick Wong, May 22, 2021
    Last edited: May 22, 2021
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    came home from florida one year only to find evidence under the hood, then dead mouse smell in the car for a few weeks. after paying a pest control company for nothing but failure for 3 years, i put this in a dish once a day for a week last fall. every day it was gone, and then it wasn't. haven't seen any evidence since. i think i wiped out the whole neighborhood
    ref=psdc_3737941_t2_B003ORPOJ8
     
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  3. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Most mice can fit through that screen. They are capable of squeezing their body very tightly. You need one with a much finer mesh ideally in stainless. They are powerful hole generators and can naw their way through lumber if they want to. The best solution is eradication of the particular mice that live in your car. Once they setup a nest they will return. The cubes of green mouse poison left in the general area where you park is effective and is what utilities use when necessary.
     
  4. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    This might be a good idea.

     
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  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Hey Toyota: acknowledge the issue; put mesh on at the factory.
     
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  6. ETC(SS)

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

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    Rodenticides are useful, and I’m glad that they are still legal but just beware that there are two drawbacks with their use.

    1. They kill mieces....which smell kinda bad after they kick off.

    B. They take a while to work. This can be hard on some apex predators who will ALWAYS eat an easy-to-catch meal when they are available.

    My utility leans away from rodenticides....but then we do not use wires or fiber optic cable with plant based insulation.
    We use glue traps, which are less humane for the mieces....but much better for owls, hawks, foxes, raccoons, skunks, etc.
    I personally do not mind SOME of these predators being discouraged from hanging out in my neighborhood....but....rodenticide addled mieces make for an easy meal for all of them.

    If you dig owls...maybe install some housing for them instead of using the poison.

    If you HAVE to use rat poison, pick a 1st gen variety such as the one @bisco used.
    They work a little more slowly than G2 rodenticides (which are harder to acquire) and you thusly will not sentence a fox or an owl to death for eating a poisoned mouse....at least for the first few times....


    YMMV
     
    #6 ETC(SS), May 23, 2021
    Last edited: May 23, 2021
  7. Valiant V

    Valiant V Member

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    Agreed that poisons can have undesirable consequences - but seem to be the go-to quick fix for most folks.

    I'm especially concerned because I've had two vehicles with wiring chewed by mice and/or rats, and some rodent thought is appropriate to eat the seat belts in another vehicle. The Prius would be even more susceptible because of its low ground clearance. (It's one of things that keep me up at night.)

    Another option is mouse repellent. "Grandpa's" is a brand I've heard good things about. It's made of essential oils like cinnamon and other fairly pleasant smelling stuff - though I don't think I'd want my Prius smelling like that all of the time. It's available in a spray and "sachets".

    Good old mouse and rat traps are more humane than glue traps, and hopefully less likely to take out a Hawk or owl than a tainted mouse.

    The biggest factor for me seems to be -where- you park, and how (in) frequently you use the vehicle. Tucked away near vegetation and not driven for days or weeks at a time are an invitation to critters. Unfortunately, most of us can't easily change where we live.mice and rats are a big problem in rural NE Texas.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  8. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Get a Jack Russell Terrier. It will find the rats and kill them. No poisons needed, if you are
    afraid to kill them that way.
     
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  9. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Remember just discouraging mice will make it more likely they will move in with you.
     
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    we tried everything. the poison was last resort. no one died inside the house for some reason, i was prepared for the smell.
    one died in my car though, no poison required :sick:

    all we have around here are hawks and crows, and they're all fine, as far as i can tell.
     
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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    love it, reminds me of chip and dale :cool:
     
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  12. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I would not characterize my residence as "rural", but rather as "suburban". The streets are paved, the landscaping is desert plants, no large amount of underbrush, etc. Regardless, I am pursuing a multiphase approach:

    1. I received the ultrasonic battery-powered (2 C batteries each) repellent units this morning (really fast delivery from Amazon) and will try them out.
    2. I had other ultrasonic devices which plug into the wall, and have installed two of those devices in AC outlets that are closest to the driveway.
    3. I regret doing so, but I am also using rodent poison (the Tomcat green blocks) held in a plastic container.
    4. I have parked the Prius in a neighbor's enclosed garage and have the Mustang parked on the driveway (based upon fewer complaints of rodent infestation for that vehicle.) Also, the negative impact of chewed wiring is much greater with the Prius since it has so many more ECUs.

    I have four vehicles while my garage has two spaces, plus I am renting a garage space. Hence one vehicle has to be on the driveway. The Prius will have to take its turn on the driveway from time to time.
     
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  13. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    A garage won't help. They can get in under and to the side of the door. Place the green blocks in the garage(s) as well.
     
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  14. Ed Beaty

    Ed Beaty Active Member

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    "Get a Jack Russell Terrier. It will find the rats and kill them. No poisons needed, if you are
    afraid to kill them that way."


    Exept that then, you would have a Jack Russell Terrier...
     
  15. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    So far that hasn't been a problem, and I am looking out for rodent droppings daily. I do have glue traps at both end of the door, which are pretty good at catching crickets and other bugs that try to enter at either side of the door.
     
  16. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Yes, a pet would not fit my lifestyle.
     
  17. wheezyglider

    wheezyglider Active Member

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    I dig that mesh blocker. From the nest location in the Prius in this video, it looks like they may nest elsewhere in the cowl if they can get there (that white fluff below). But keeping the out of the cabin is still a huge win.
    upload_2021-5-23_12-25-21.png

    As for BMW being impervious -- tell that to Mini owners! Rats love those things, and find the wiring harnesses especially tasty.
     
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  18. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    One of the fix is to become a dog owner?

    o_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_O
     
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  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    That actually worked for us.
     
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  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yeah, wouldn't you think cats?
     
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