Has anyone put screens on openings to keep mice out? Any instructions / drawings / pix to share on that? Rather than reinvent the wheel . . . We had the nest on the cabin air filter. I set baited traps in the car two nights in a row, caught a mouse each time. They are clever, and relentless!! Thanks in advance for any help with this!
What’s in Your Cabin (Filter)
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Has anyone put screens on openings to keep mice out? Any instructions / drawings / pix to share on that? Rather than reinvent the wheel . . . We had the nest on the cabin air filter. I set baited traps in the car two nights in a row, caught a mouse each time. They are clever, and relentless!! Thanks in advance for any help with this!
Yesterday I cleaned out a smelly mouse nest on top of cabin filter (similar to pics folks posted). Today, I checked the new filter. Fresh mouse ****. I diluted concentrated peppermint oil with water and sprayed into the vent and around the filter housing. Rather than ruin a new filter: I taped some paper coffee filters together and cut them into a cover for the filter. Not using the car today. Tomorrow I'll pull the filter again and see if more poop. That said, anyone have a diagram of air intakes and vent system for the cabin? Is it just the vents below windshield? And anyone figure out screening? I'm contemplating shoving some steel wool in the vent hole above the filter. Anyone try that?
A few months back we found a chewed towel and poop in the trunk and cabin. Set trap and caught one. Nothing in the trap since, set it every night for a while after the incident, and now when we remember. (It's set now) Since the nest was on the intake side of filter, anyone know if a mouse in the air vent can easily go back and forth into the cabin, or would those be unrelated incursions?
A few months back we found a chewed towel and poop in the trunk and cabin. Set trap and caught one. Nothing in the trap since, set it every night for a while after the incident, and now when we remember. (It's set now) Since the nest was on the intake side of filter, anyone know if a mouse in the air vent can easily go back and forth into the cabin, or would those be unrelated incursions?
MrFixit
Well-Known Member
I feel your pain...
I will offer this... When I had a mouse on the cabin filter the thing that cued me in was was poop on the dashboard. There were also little shards of plastic on the dashboard on the driver's side. There is a plastic grill where air blows onto the windshield for defog / defrost. The mouse had chewed an access hole through this grill and thereby created a convenient passageway between the ducts and the cabin. We also found a dead mouse curled up in a box of tissues that we keep beneath the center console.
Long story short -
Yes, it is trivial for a mouse(s) to move between the ducts and the cabin. There may be other ways too, but that is the spot where ours came through.
I will offer this... When I had a mouse on the cabin filter the thing that cued me in was was poop on the dashboard. There were also little shards of plastic on the dashboard on the driver's side. There is a plastic grill where air blows onto the windshield for defog / defrost. The mouse had chewed an access hole through this grill and thereby created a convenient passageway between the ducts and the cabin. We also found a dead mouse curled up in a box of tissues that we keep beneath the center console.
Long story short -
Yes, it is trivial for a mouse(s) to move between the ducts and the cabin. There may be other ways too, but that is the spot where ours came through.
Well, that explains the slight musky odor. Thought it was just aging car materials, not. I don't think there are any bodies, but definitely a trace of visitors smell.
I will try to do some serious vacuuming in the opening. Has anyone disassembled any hoses? Are there any accessible areas to check and clean?
Any air fresheners / spray for the new filter / odor sheets to add over the new filter?
Going to try one of these ... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YBX6XY2
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Haven't seen this on our Clarity, but on a Toyota Tacoma Truck that I purchased used from a private party, I found exactly this problem when doing my first maintenance: lots of mouse nest debris on top of the cabin filter, including dried natural vegetation, chewed pleats, and most concerning, black expanded foam presumably from somewhere on the vehicle. "My bad" for neglecting to check that filter before purchasing, but in reading about other's experiences, obviously I got, because there was no sign of continuing mice presence, nor did I find any signs of chewed wire insulation. I did have to drop the motor assembly to clean the blower wheel as part of changing the air filter, because lots of debris was scraped off and dropped into the blower wheel when the old filter was pulled out, but that was a minor inconvenience that didn't take long to fix.
A Toyota service manager I asked about the foam replied that it was probably material used on the perimeter of the cabin air intake flap which responds to the fresh or recirc. climate control setting. He thought there was little downside to leaving that damage unrepaired, fortunately, since the cost to disassemble everything needed to replace that foam seal was out of sight! He also said the cabin air intake is the most frequent point of access for mice to get into the air ducts. His suggestion on how to avoid mice cabin incursion was pretty much what other posters in this thread have said: use peppermint oil as a deterrent (especially applicable to avoid bringing new critters home from other places), and set regular traps in the vicinity of where the vehicle is normally parked. I didn't have any peppermint spray or liquid, so dropped mini Altoids into the filter pleats. Don't know if that was really effective, especially since the new filter had the activated charcoal feature to absorb smells. At least I have never seen signs of mice since the purchase, but maybe that's just because there have never been mice in our garage (and knock on wood that doesn't change!).
But his advice did get me thinking - if the initial access is "typically" through a vehicle's external air intake (wherever it is located, and on whatever model car), wouldn't it help to always set the climate control to "recirc." (to close the flap) before parking the car every time? Even if the flap was plastic and vulnerable to chewing, being closed might offer some deterrence advantage. Of course this would require developing a new habit, but would probably be easier than locating the cabin air intake and somehow fashioning a porous non chewable barrier that stays put and does not interfere with flap operation.
It also seems it would be fairly easy for manufacturers of modern cars to use a chew proof sheet metal flap on the air intake control (aluminum, maybe) and even to have it automatically close on shut down (restoring the prior setting at next use). While this is not the worst problem in the world of cars, if you or your significant other dislikes rodents as much as mine does, than this feature alone (with creative marketing) would probably sell a lot of cars!
A Toyota service manager I asked about the foam replied that it was probably material used on the perimeter of the cabin air intake flap which responds to the fresh or recirc. climate control setting. He thought there was little downside to leaving that damage unrepaired, fortunately, since the cost to disassemble everything needed to replace that foam seal was out of sight! He also said the cabin air intake is the most frequent point of access for mice to get into the air ducts. His suggestion on how to avoid mice cabin incursion was pretty much what other posters in this thread have said: use peppermint oil as a deterrent (especially applicable to avoid bringing new critters home from other places), and set regular traps in the vicinity of where the vehicle is normally parked. I didn't have any peppermint spray or liquid, so dropped mini Altoids into the filter pleats. Don't know if that was really effective, especially since the new filter had the activated charcoal feature to absorb smells. At least I have never seen signs of mice since the purchase, but maybe that's just because there have never been mice in our garage (and knock on wood that doesn't change!).
But his advice did get me thinking - if the initial access is "typically" through a vehicle's external air intake (wherever it is located, and on whatever model car), wouldn't it help to always set the climate control to "recirc." (to close the flap) before parking the car every time? Even if the flap was plastic and vulnerable to chewing, being closed might offer some deterrence advantage. Of course this would require developing a new habit, but would probably be easier than locating the cabin air intake and somehow fashioning a porous non chewable barrier that stays put and does not interfere with flap operation.
It also seems it would be fairly easy for manufacturers of modern cars to use a chew proof sheet metal flap on the air intake control (aluminum, maybe) and even to have it automatically close on shut down (restoring the prior setting at next use). While this is not the worst problem in the world of cars, if you or your significant other dislikes rodents as much as mine does, than this feature alone (with creative marketing) would probably sell a lot of cars!
MrFixit
Well-Known Member
This can be "the worst problem in the world"... not so much getting into the ducts / vents, but chewing wires. I have had at least a half-dozen instances of chewed wires (on other vehicles), and have been extremely luck to be able to find the "chews" and repair them myself. One time, a rodent chewed through a plastic fuel line. That was fun because I could start the vehicle, and fuel was spraying out all over the driveway.
My main point here is that it is easy to rack up multiple thousands of dollars when a rodent chews wires. You can have all the protection in the world on the vents, but there are LOTS of wires that are external (in the engine bay, around the wheels, and in this case inside the HV battery compartments). Chewed wiring harasses can be nearly impossible to get to and can be VERY expensive to identify and repair. Let's hope if the little buggers start biting wires that they choose the 300V wires. They might learn a lesson quickly.
Most of my troubles in the past have been with cars that are kept outside. I now have all my cars in the garage. Clearly not foolproof because I did have a mouse attack in the garage with the Clarity. I agree that it would be good for manufacturers to better protect air intakes because that is a primary attack point.
Update: I put plastic bag around the filter and kept the climate system off this week. Every morning, more poop on the bagged filter. Two days ago I took out the filter, cut a thick piece of cardboard to same size (flat) and have a baited snap trap on top of it. There seems to be enough space above the filter area for the trap to snap. No poop, no mouse (2 mornings checked). Simultaneously, I've had the setting on Recirc. As @PnwDriver said:
I took some pics of the area above the filter and can't figure out what I'm seeing. There are white fabric/plastic pieces (filters?) and some chewed areas. Anyone know what's up there and if there is anything that needs fixing? (see photo)
Of course, dealer couldn't be bothered and had no solutions to mouse issue. Just shrugged when I asked if there were air intakes besides the ones under windshield.
So maybe they were coming and going from outside.
I took some pics of the area above the filter and can't figure out what I'm seeing. There are white fabric/plastic pieces (filters?) and some chewed areas. Anyone know what's up there and if there is anything that needs fixing? (see photo)
Of course, dealer couldn't be bothered and had no solutions to mouse issue. Just shrugged when I asked if there were air intakes besides the ones under windshield.
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MrFixit
Well-Known Member
The baited trap in the filter area is a good idea, but I would also suggest one in the cabin (just on the floor of the passenger side) and also another one outside right next to the car.
He (she) is obviously smarter than you, but maybe overwhelming the area with a few traps will work.
I use peanut butter as bait with pretty good success.
He (she) is obviously smarter than you, but maybe overwhelming the area with a few traps will work.
I use peanut butter as bait with pretty good success.
Hadn't mentioned it, but there's also a trap in the cabin (where you said) and one in trunk since in the past we've found chewed clothing in both areas (ugh). Since the car is outdoors, traps outside of the car I don't think will help. Plus sometimes I put the zapper (electric) trap on dashboard. Yep: peanut butter.
Laying a SCENTED dryer sheet on top of the cabin filter may help. We put shavings from a bar of Irish Spring on a cookie sheet in the trunk, and it smelled good, and seems to be helping. At least, no more mice inside the car that we can tell. Still wondering, has anyone come up with details for metal screens over suspect openings? Both engine and cabin air intakes, and . . . wherever else needed. Tnx.
I found that if we park the car with Climate system off and Recirculate on, no mouse evidence in filter area. I was concerned that they might still be living on the other side of the cutoff for outside air. Bought a cheap borescope (endoscope really) to check. No mouse evidence as far into the vent as I could push the thing. Unfortunately, the scope is slightly too wide to fit in the windshield grill so can't check from that end. For now, we just make sure the vent is on Recirc when parked.
Mowcowbell
Well-Known Member
Does make me appreciate the thought processes that the Honda engineers used when placing the location of the cabin filter. Easy to access, no tools needed. Watched a video of a guy changing the 2 (!) cabin air filters in a Tesla Model 3. Looks like about a hour job with a lot of panels to remove!
Dealer found the start of a modest nest in my cabin filter during the multipoint inspection at my annual oil change. Thanked them for letting me know and replaced the filter myself ($15 on Amazon). It's a snap to replace. Used a shop vac as I pulled the dirty filter out to catch the stuff falling out. I live in farm country with unlimited food sources nearby, so mice are a fact of life and I always have traps set in my garage. I think someone started a nest and then get trapped, so it wasn't too bad. It's a point of curiosity that so many owners are finding a nest in this same place. So many that it doesn't seem random and makes me wonder if there is something in particular attracting them.
My worst mouse damage was on a Grand Cherokee where they nested on top of the fuel tank and chewed the wires on the fuel pump almost through but not quite. Just enough so that after I drove a few miles from home, the motion separated the wires the rest of the way and the engine went stone dead from 55 mph. Coasted onto the shoulder and had to get towed. About $800 to drop the fuel tank and replace the fuel pump plus the towing. Most interesting place I found a nest was in the head of a shop vac. Quite a surprise with nest contents blowing out all of the place when I turned it on. Fortunately I was in the garage and not in the house.
My worst mouse damage was on a Grand Cherokee where they nested on top of the fuel tank and chewed the wires on the fuel pump almost through but not quite. Just enough so that after I drove a few miles from home, the motion separated the wires the rest of the way and the engine went stone dead from 55 mph. Coasted onto the shoulder and had to get towed. About $800 to drop the fuel tank and replace the fuel pump plus the towing. Most interesting place I found a nest was in the head of a shop vac. Quite a surprise with nest contents blowing out all of the place when I turned it on. Fortunately I was in the garage and not in the house.
JFon101231
Active Member
Well that time of year...
(I see dryer lint but I'm a bit concerned where the yellow insulation came from...)
(I see dryer lint but I'm a bit concerned where the yellow insulation came from...)
JFon101231
Active Member
Yes, I park right outside my attached garage. We have bait boxes in the garage...
I live in a semi wooded area so its an ongoing battle amongst these guys getting into enclosed trailers and toys, equipment and vehicles.
One time they made a nest on the fan on the ride on mower before we were done using it for the season...
I live in a semi wooded area so its an ongoing battle amongst these guys getting into enclosed trailers and toys, equipment and vehicles.
One time they made a nest on the fan on the ride on mower before we were done using it for the season...
JFon101231
Active Member
Had anyone figured out the "path" to the main hole right next to the filter? If not I guess maybe I should just superglue some very small grating over that hole?
Tek_Freek
Active Member
Good idea!