I was curious as to the most common entry points for mice on these cars. Is it mainly through the engine compartment? I have been battling mice during the winter months for ten years with my Buick and can't find an entry point to save my life (yes I know they can get into small spaces). Every third day, my four snap traps are cleaned off and no mouse. Ultrasonic devices don't seem to work and dryer sheets don't either. I recently installed peppermint oil soaked cotton balls and was waiting for the results. Have any of you had results with peppermint oil? Thanks in advance
I would LOVE to assist you in this, "pesky issue" PUN intended. The engine bay is the most common area for entry points, HOWEVER it's not the only area they like to try.
Let's start with the engine bay first, fire wall to be precise. Make sure all your grommets are in place and tightly fitted, such as your throttle cable ect ect. If one is popped out and it won't stay in, put some black silicon around the gap.
The other area they love to invade is the heater hose entry point. The factory foams around the inlet and outlet are easily gnawed at IF it's still there at all. I always buy a pack of steel wool and take a few minutes and pack it in and around the heater hose area on the firewall, where the hose actually attaches to the heater core, that gap.
A few other places you may want to check, are any areas you may have run something, wires, cables linkage ect ect, that required you to drill holes anywhere in the car, PLUG THEM!
If your car is standard, make sure the boot around the floor shifter is perfectly sealed, no rips or tears.
Another sneaky spot no one thinks about, are your door and window seals. Make sure they have no tears or chunks missing, ECSPECIALLY on the bottom side of the door. Mice love to run up in there and chew the seal to get entry. Next thing is to take that peppermint oil, and yes, they DO hate it, and rub that along each inch of each door seal!!! This will prevent them from even getting near it. Same thing with your firewall grommets, spread some on those too, remember, even if they are good, they can decide to chew on them next and get in, it's all about prevention. remember to do the trunk seal too!!
One thing to remember, many have restored their cars and may have replaced doors, deck lids ect ect, and if those are not adjusted properly, the seal may be perfect, but not even touching the panel in places, so again, another area a mouse can get in. Remember, if a mouse can fit the end of his nose into something, he can collapse the rest of his body to squeeze in! Mice SUCK!!!!
Rule #1, NEVR EVER put mice bait inside or near your car. Bait the mice at least 6' or more from your car.
Rule #2, mice are hoarders, DO NOT USE PELLOT BAIT!!! Use a bar of some sort, my #1 choice is One Bite, it lives up to its name, trust me.
One more thing before I end this long-winded advice fest, is don't forget to plug your exhaust tips with a simple rag, any chrome bumpers, headlight bezels ect you can think of coat with some wd-40, 1 they won't climb onto it and pee, mice piss is highly corrosive, and even if they did, the wd-40 prevents any damage.
Ok I'm done, I could go on and on, but these are some helpful tips I do, and perhaps can help you! Good luck!!!
Will