Apparently had a "guest" in my engine

[tap4154]

Just changed the oil, went for a short drive, then popped the hood to make sure the oil filter housing wasn't leaking, and noticed this odd mass behind it. After pondering it I vacuumed it out and it's obviously a rat or mice nest. Then noticed something had been munching on the gray battery blanket, that's where the nesting material came from. Don't see any wires chewed, so hopefully it was a short stay. In fact I suspect it was at the dealer, as I haven't seen any rats or mice around my home.

So if your battery blanket looks a bit ratty, check for guests!

 

[buddy guy]

maybe it was this guy!

 

[tap4154]

maybe it was this guy!

View attachment 173599

He sure looks guilty to me!

Do have some squirrels around...

 

[buddy guy]

hahahaha!

 

[Marine Les]

That looks like a ground or what we call rock squirrels and they are bad news. They along with mice, rats and even chipmunks can chew wiring and other parts especially under the hood. People staying in Sonora desert campgrounds leave their hoods up to keep the pack rats of the engine bays. I use moth balls and hot chili powder and lights that blink on and off to drive them off.

 

[tidefan1967]

Mothballs and Christmas tree air fresheners are great deterrents too.

 

[buddy guy]

i used to use a bar of irish spring soap under my bike cover when mobike was in storage to keep all things rodent away from wiring.

 

[McBroom]

maybe it was this guy!

View attachment 173599

Another damn tree rat


- The Blue Mule

 

[tap4154]

That looks like a ground or what we call rock squirrels and they are bad news. They along with mice, rats and even chipmunks can chew wiring and other parts especially under the hood. People staying in Sonora desert campgrounds leave their hoods up to keep the pack rats of the engine bays. I use moth balls and hot chili powder and lights that blink on and off to drive them off.

I've never seen a rat or mouse or anything in an engine bay around here, but maybe I just never noticed it? I really think it happened at the dealership but I may take your advice and put a mothball or something in there. Maybe I'll spray the battery insulation with Febreze...

 

[Marine Les]

I've never seen a rat or mouse or anything in an engine bay around here, but maybe I just never noticed it? I really think it happened at the dealership but I may take your advice and put a mothball or something in there. Maybe I'll spray the battery insulation with Febreze...

If you live in metropolitan environment rodents are not likely to be a problem but in rural or small town areas its common.

 

[tap4154]

If you live in metropolitan environment rodents are not likely to be a problem but in rural or small town areas its common.

Live in a suburban beach area and there are rats and mice around, I see the evidence behind built-in kitchen appliances I change out daily, especially under dishwashers. Just never noticed one taking up residence in an engine bay. However, one friend heard a loud high-pitched noise as he was driving his truck, and when he stopped a cat dropped out of the engine bay and ran away. Maybe it was stalking a mouse?

 

[tap4154]

This seems to be more of an issue than I realized. Some of the car parts are now plant-based and rodents LOVE them. Gonna keep a better eye on the Ram engine, and in my motorhome engine as well.

http://synlube.com/IncredibleEdibleCar1.htm

Found a spray that seems well-reviewed that's designed for engine bays:

https://www.amazon.com/Exterminators-Choice-Protection-Repellent-Chewing-All/dp/B01DTBOV06

 

[Wayne E]

This spring I opened my hood, and something chewed a big hole in the hood insulation. I've since removed it, and hopefully the squirrels don't come back for the battery cover

 

[buddy guy]

i had a mouse get into the wall of my garage, take the insulation and made a nice next inside my heater core in my accord in 1996. destroyed the core. the mouse had done a nice job of placing the isulation all around the circumference of it.

 

[JB1]

Damn it really is an infestation of rats in California

https://www.foxnews.com/us/los-angeles-california-cities-overrun-rodents-public-health

 

[tap4154]

This spring I opened my hood, and something chewed a big hole in the hood insulation. I've since removed it, and hopefully the squirrels don't come back for the battery cover

There's a pic of a half-eaten battery blanket in the link I posted. Whatever it was in mine had just got started. I covered the alternator and sprayed the engine and bay with water to wash scent etc. off, and ordered some of that repellent spray. On closer inspection, I don't see any damage to wires or hoses, so am not worried. Just am thankful I'm not in Texas, where even the mice are the size of small dogs.

In fact my Ram was made in Saltillo Mexico, and was likely brought in through Texas. Most likely where a rodent hitchhiker jumped in

Also checked my motorhome engine bay, and don't see any evidence of any trespassers. It's never been to Texas...

 

[McBroom]

Buy a toy rubber snake and mount it to the top of the battery and no more critters. Rodents and other unwanted will see it and leave never to return.


- The Blue Mule

 

[tap4154]

Buy a toy rubber snake and mount it to the top of the battery and no more critters. Rodents and other unwanted will see it and leave never to return.


- The Blue Mule

Great idea, also would be fun to see the reactions of service techs as they check under the hood then come across it...

 

[tap4154]

Got the "Rodent Defense" I ordered. I'm posting a pic of the ingredients, should be easy to make yourself. Mostly water and vinegar with peppermint and other oils, and white pepper. Says to spray generously on the wires and any place they might nest, also on the ground underneath the vehicle, but I just sprayed wires, the battery insulation, and areas that look good for nesting on top of the engine. Not a real strong smell, so it doesn't make your truck stink.

 

[grahamp]

A few years back a tree rat chewed a hole in the breather pipe that sits above the gas tank, while the truck was parked in the car park at Bradenton Beach. First I knew about it was when the check engine light came on because of the emissions leak. The replacement pipe was only a few dollars but it cost $600 to drop the gas tank to fit it. That taught me never to leave the truck parked near palm trees, especially if there's picnic areas nearby.