How to Keep Mice Out of Your Car and Garage This Winter
Published Updated
By John Stopka, Co-Founder & CEO · Reviewed by John Stopka
Every November our phones start ringing with the same kind of story. Somebody in Paducah pops the hood to check the oil and finds a pile of shredded insulation and dog food sitting on top of the engine. Or a truck in Hopkinsville starts blowing a smell through the vents that nobody can place. Or a Bowling Green family gets a repair bill for chewed wires and the mechanic says, "Yep, mice."
Once the nights get cold in western and south central Kentucky, mice go looking for warm, quiet places to hole up. A car that was just driven and parked in a garage checks every box. Here's why it happens and what you can do about it.
Why mice go for cars in the first place
It's pretty simple. A warm engine stays warm for a while after you park, and the engine bay is full of tight little spaces mice feel comfortable in. Air filter boxes, cabin air intakes and the space under the battery tray all make good nesting spots. There's usually plenty of soft material nearby too, like hood insulation, seat stuffing and the stuff they drag in from the garage.
Mice also chew constantly, since their teeth never stop growing, and wiring is right there.
Cars that sit the most get hit the hardest. Think of the second vehicle, the farm truck, the boat or RV stored for winter, or the riding mower in the shed. We see this a lot around Murray, Benton and the lake areas, where people park boats and campers for the season.
Signs mice have been in your vehicle
Check for these every so often:
- Droppings on the engine cover, in the trunk or on the floor mats
- Nesting material like shredded paper, insulation, leaves or fabric tucked into corners
- Acorns, seeds or pet food stashed in the air filter box
- A musty smell coming through the vents when you turn on the fan
- Chewed wires, hoses or hood insulation
If you're finding signs in the car, there's a good chance mice are already in the garage too.
DIY steps to keep mice out of your car
1. Clean out the garage
Most car problems start with a garage problem. Mice need food and cover close by, and garages usually give them both. Move bird seed, grass seed and pet food into sealed plastic or metal bins. Get cardboard boxes up off the floor and onto shelves. The less clutter along the walls, the fewer places they have to hide.
2. Keep the inside of the car clean
Those fries that rolled under the seat last month are an open invitation. Vacuum out food crumbs, wrappers and anything a mouse might snack on. Don't leave bags of dog food or groceries sitting in the trunk overnight.
3. Drive it more often
Mice like quiet places. A vehicle that gets driven every day or two is a lot less appealing than one that hasn't moved in two weeks.
4. Leave the hood up
If a car will sit in the garage for a long stretch, propping the hood open lets light in and takes away the dark, closed-in feel mice look for.
5. Set traps around the car, not in it
Place snap traps along the garage walls near where the vehicle is parked, especially behind the front tires and in corners. Mice run along edges, so set traps flat against the wall with the trigger end facing the wall. Check them every day. Putting traps inside the car tends to make a mess and they get forgotten.
6. Look for gaps in the garage
A mouse can squeeze through a hole about the size of a dime. Look at the bottom of the garage door seal, the corners where the door meets the frame, and spots where pipes or wires come through the wall. Worn door seals are one of the most common ways in that we find. Replacing a torn seal and filling gaps with steel wool and caulk can make a big difference.
7. Skip the old wives' tales
You'll hear people swear by dryer sheets or bars of soap under the hood. We hear about these every week from folks in Mayfield, Princeton and Franklin who tried them and still ended up with a nest. They might buy you a little time, but they don't solve the real problem, which is mice living close by and having an easy way in.
When DIY isn't enough
If you keep catching mice in the garage week after week, it usually means one of two things. Either there's a steady way in that hasn't been found yet, or mice have moved into the walls, attic or crawlspace of the house and the garage is just where you're noticing them.
That's where a trained set of eyes helps. When we come out, we walk the whole outside of the home and the garage, look for the entry points, check the attic and crawlspace for activity, and lay out a plan for what we'd do. It's the same process whether you're in Paducah, Hopkinsville, Murray, Bowling Green or one of the small towns in between.
And every rodent problem starts with a free inspection. No pressure, just a clear look at what's going on and what it would take to get it handled.
Get some help before the cold settles in
If you've found droppings under the hood, chewed wires or a nest in the air filter, it's worth getting ahead of it now.
Give us a call or text at 270-564-8077 to set up your free rodent inspection. We're local, we know the area, and we'd be glad to take a look.
When to call a professional
At Liberty Pest Control, all rodent problems start with a free inspection. More on how we handle mice is on our rodent control page and our mice and rats page.
Keep reading: How to Get Rid of Mice: A Guide for Western Kentucky, DIY Mouse Traps That Work, Signs You Need a Pro for Rodents, Why Do Mice Keep Coming Back? and Why Mice Come Into Houses in Fall.
Common questions
Why do mice go for a warm car?
A warm engine stays warm for a while after you park, and the engine bay is full of tight little spaces mice feel comfortable in.
How small a hole can a mouse use to get into the garage?
A mouse can squeeze through a hole about the size of a dime.
Do dryer sheets or soap keep mice out of a car?
They might buy you a little time, but they don't solve the real problem, which is mice living close by and having an easy way in.
Sources
- University of Kentucky Entomology. Michael F. Potter. "How to Pest-Proof Your Home" (ENTFACT-641). https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef641 (opens in a new tab)
- University of Kentucky Entomology. Michael F. Potter. "Control of Mice" (ENTFACT-617). https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef617 (opens in a new tab)