Has anyone had mice get into their car often… but only when it’s a Prius? I live in the countryside, so mice are just a part of life, but for some reason they love my cars. My best friend parks right next to me in her 97 Ford Ranger and never has a problem.
It started years ago with a 2004 Prius. A mouse would sneak in sometimes, but it didn’t cause much trouble. Then I had a 2013 Prius and it got much worse. Mice destroyed the ceiling area and parts behind the dash. I had to replace a lot of the interior. That car went to my sister and I got a 2009 Prius.
Now I’m driving the 2009 and still no food or drink in the car, no trash, but the mice still find a way in. I’ve found droppings, shredded documents, foam in the glovebox, and it’s starting to look like they’re wrecking it again. I’ve been setting a mousetrap in the passenger footwell and have caught three already this week. I don’t like killing them and I feel silly driving around with a trap like that… but I’m out of ideas.
Has anyone on this forum found something that works?
@Fisher
Seriously though, I had mice build a nest under my old car’s fuse box. I didn’t even know until the mechanic found it after a small electrical fire during testing. They had chewed through some wires. If it keeps happening, try essential oils… some people say peppermint works. A farm cat might help too if you’re out in the country.
You really should cover the cabin air intake with some steel mesh (about 1/4 inch) and use sheet metal screws to hold it in place. There’s a video online showing how to take things apart to get to it.
Also consider doing the same at the air exits in the back corners below the hatch floor. I removed the bumper to do it from the outside. And check the engine air intake snorkel too. That open end should be covered.
Vitt said: @Milan
Thanks a lot. I might try peppermint first since it’s easier and quicker, but I’ll keep this in mind if the problem keeps going.
I had the same issue. Peppermint and other smells didn’t work long term. The mesh screen fixed it. Also, lift your spare tire and check under it. That’s where I found a bunch of mice once, and they’d come in through those back vents.
@Vitt
Just make sure to clean everything first. Mouse pee and droppings tell other mice where to go. Look up what areas to avoid pressure washing though so you don’t damage anything.
Same here… had mice in my Prius for a short while. Used a snap trap and caught one or two. Left the trap set for a few days just in case, but nothing after that. I didn’t install mesh, but if they kept coming back, I definitely would. It’s something that does happen to these cars.
Winslow said:
Poison bait stations around your home and parking area can help keep them away before they get in.
That would be ideal, but I live with pets and don’t want to risk them getting into the bait. So I’m trying to stick to things like traps and scents for now.
