Evil Squirrels Ate my Car!
Are hot peppers the solution to this pesky problem?
Judy in Shepherdstown, West Virginia writes: “Can you remind me of the way you get rid of pesky squirrels (around our cars parked outdoors)?”Eh no; because this is the first time I’ve heard about Evil Squirrels (please refer to the Long-Tailed Servants of Satan by their proper name) doing something to a car. I immediately envisioned them letting air oaf her car’s tires (I hope they aren’t listening!) and asked Judy for more information.
Her response: “The squirrels are constantly chewing on the wires under the hood of our cars parked outside. They recently also chewed thought the fuel line, which had to be replaced along with the gas tank … to the tune of over $7,000! I remember you used to talk about a water solution for pesky squirrels!”
Ah yes; the motion activated sprinkler! When an Evil Squirrel breaks the infrared beam, the impact sprinkler on top of the device jumps to life, sputs and sputters for a few seconds, then tosses cold water towards the intruder. Works very effectively on deer as well, plus non-migrating Canada Geese and other unwelcome actors.
Now, I DID know that car damage like this is generally the work of rats and mice, who love to chew on the coating of the wires. So I asked a final question: Are you SURE it’s Evil Squirrels and not other vermin?
Her reply: Yes! I have seen them come and go from underneath the car and there were stored acorns on top of the gas tank!”
Evil Squirrels learning new tricks is not a comforting thought, but I already knew the cure: repellant sprays covering every inch of your under-the-hood treats. Here’s what Auto Zone suggests: “To stop mice from chewing modern soy-based car wiring, use specialized botanical deterrent sprays that typically cost $10 to $30 and use strong essential oils like peppermint and cinnamon to create an unappealing scent barrier. (Me: Peppermint is a proven mouse repellant.)
As I’ve mentioned in the past, Car Talk (the highest rated radio hour across the board for many years) needed a follow up show to give people a reason to stay tuned. That was I. The powers-that-be figured that one loud-mouthed guy from Philadelphia cracking bad jokes and occasionally delivering real information was the perfect follow up to two loud-mouthed guys from Boston cracking bad jokes and occasionally delivering real information.
Judy’s issue was a constant topic on Car Talk, and I remember Click and Clack (the Tappet brothers) suggesting hot pepper sprays to protect that tasty wiring. Consumer Reports likes two options. {quote}: “There are specially made spray products meant to deter rodents…mist one of these products under the hood and around the vehicle. Peppermint oil and cayenne pepper sprays are reported to deter rodents. Note that spray products will need to be reapplied routinely, because they can wear away and rinse off.”
They also warn to be especially cautious when cleaning out old nests, as mice and rats (the vermin most often involved in such things) carry many diseases. Especially in their droppings.
I found several hot pepper sprays dedicated to this use online; and Honda sells an interesting deterrent. I quote from Consumer Reports: “A technical service bulletin from Honda offers a clever solution: rodent-deterrent tape, essentially an electrical tape treated with super-spicy capsaicin, which Honda describes as “the stuff that puts the fire in a bowl of five-alarm chili.” The tape (part No. 4019-2317) comes in a 20-meter roll, which is about 22 yards. It’s available through dealers and online for around $42.”
And thanks to our cats, I also realize that many creatures are attracted to the warmth of an engine that has just stopped running. I suggest that, when possible, you pop the hood after driving, which will also help because vermin won’t expose themselves out in the open. And maybe the cat will jump in. We can dream, can’t we?
