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how to prevent mice from getting in to glovebox

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by dk_brookdale, Aug 19, 2021.

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  1. dk_brookdale

    dk_brookdale Junior Member

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    I know the topic of rodents causing problems with the Prius has been brought up many times on priuschat but I cannot find the exact information I need when doing a search. A few times a year I clean out nesting created by mice in area adjacent to glovebox where cabin filter and a squirrel cage fan are. After I clean it out they just come back. What I want to know is this - where exactly (and how) are the rodents getting in? And how can I block their entry on my 2012 Prius V so they cannot get in?
     
    #1 dk_brookdale, Aug 19, 2021
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Take off wipers and cowl; install 1/4” galvanized steel rodent mesh over cabin air intake. Hold it in place with a few sheet metal screws; pre-drill holes for the screws.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Aug 19, 2021
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  3. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Don't put snacks in the glove box.;)
     
    #3 Georgina Rudkus, Aug 19, 2021
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  4. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Tiny mice handcuffs. :p
     
    #4 fotomoto, Aug 19, 2021
  5. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    How about tiny hands, like someone we know to put them on.:eek:
     
    #5 Georgina Rudkus, Aug 19, 2021
  6. dk_brookdale

    dk_brookdale Junior Member

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    I had done that in the past but not recently. The mice seem to be looking for safe place to nest and not necessarily something to eat.
     
    #6 dk_brookdale, Aug 19, 2021
  7. dk_brookdale

    dk_brookdale Junior Member

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    I think that might be a solution, thanks. I will try that. Don't see how the mice could get into that cowl/air intake area. But if I install the rodent mesh as recommended it's unlikely they'll be able to get through to the glovebox area.
     
    #7 dk_brookdale, Aug 19, 2021
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  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    For wiper/cowl removal tips, @NutzAboutBolts video on spark plug change is invaluable. I think v is sim enough too?
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Aug 19, 2021
  9. dk_brookdale

    dk_brookdale Junior Member

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    I subscribed to NutsAboutBolts on youtube and searched through all his videos. I could probably figure out how to do the mesh procedure you recommend. But I'd appreciate getting the link to wiper/cowl removal if you could find it, thanks.
     
    #9 dk_brookdale, Aug 22, 2021
  10. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    They get into the cowl area the same way the rainwater gets out.

    When I did a similar preventive thing on my dad's Hyundai, I didn't use sheet metal screws, I just scuffed the paint around the heater opening some, put a bead of mixed epoxy around it, and sank the galv mesh into that. But if I remember right, the access was much harder on that car, which didn't have a removable cowl. That might have been the way I had to do it.
     
    #10 ChapmanF, Aug 22, 2021
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    There’s convenient links to his videos here, in a thread pinned at top of 3rd gen maintenance forum.
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, Aug 22, 2021
  12. Makaru

    Makaru Junior Member

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    We had that problems. Sanitized inside of car and put essence of peppermint in several spots in the engine bay and inside the car. Apparently mice hate that smell

    Never saw them again.
     
    #12 Makaru, Sep 10, 2021
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  13. HB-Prius

    HB-Prius Junior Member

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    #13 HB-Prius, Dec 9, 2023
  14. HB-Prius

    HB-Prius Junior Member

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    I closed out the openings with 1/4" Wire Mesh as shown in attached photos and I still have mice getting in. Does anyone know about keeping the recirc option on to keep the door to outside air closed? Can't get photos to upload...............
     
    #14 HB-Prius, Dec 9, 2023
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    where did you mesh; the opening you have to remove wipers and cowl to get to? That’s the main one, and when it’s securely meshed I can’t see them getting into cabin. Unless they manage to get in via the hybrid battery vents, way at the back. But then you’d likely see “evidence” back there as well.
     
    #15 Mendel Leisk, Dec 9, 2023
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