Rats in my FR-S

[KR-S]

So, as the title says, it appears I've got a bit of a rat problem, specifically, under the hood of my FR-S.

While checking the oil level of my car, I discovered that the connector on top of my alternator had been chewed away, and there were rat droppings on several parts of my engine bay.



I'm pretty upset about it, but at least everything works correctly. All my lights and other auxilary equipment still work, and the engine runs normally. No CELs.

Still, I've scheduled an appointment with the dealer to have it looked over.

I suppose my questions are: what should I expect will happen at the dealer, and what can I do to prevent further damage from rats besides setting up some traps? Any advice is appreciated.

And before anyone says it... yes, it's totaled.

[02.ACCORD.DUDE]

Honestly... I'd call an exterminator and let them do them rather than get your own traps.

The traps might kill the ones that come near the car, but they could still be more in a tunnel or something outside.

We had rats in the garage once, called an exterminator they sprayed some stuff outside the house - set up some traps - and never had a rat issue again (we didn't actually find any mice in the actual traps).

Not sure how much it'll cost - but come on bruh - this should be personal now. You have to put those rats in their place.

[humfrz]

I don't reckon the dealer can find anything that you can't find with your own inspection.

Either feed them ... or get a cat ... or set out rat poison .. or trap them in a hav-a-hart trap and torture them .....


humfrz

[Lelantas]

Do you park outside, or in a garage? It's likely the rats are drawn to the car's warmth during the winter, and while they're in the engine bay, they chew on cables, insulation, and the like.

We had a similar problem with the family van 10 or so years ago, which was parked inside the garage. Setting up a few rat traps ended up catching the one (big!) rat that was responsible.

[KR-S]

Thanks for the replies so far, guys.

For sure, an exterminator is on the top of my list. I'll still buy some traps for now, and set them down in the garage, which should answer the question of where I park.

I did say before that everything runs fine, but should I worry about any very important lines being damaged?

[chaoskaze]

O.o Dude where do you live? xD

[KR-S]

Originally Posted by chaoskaze

O.o Dude where do you live? xD

I live in California.

[Teseo]

Time for bring a little cat in your family

[KR-S]

Originally Posted by Teseo

Time for bring a little cat in your family

The problem with that is that my folks don't want animals in their home. Otherwise, I would have already brought in a buddy of mine that I considered to be my best friend (RIP Oreo the cat )

It probably wouldn't have worked anyhow as I would not let the cat near my car.

[MrDinkleman]

Originally Posted by KR-S 86

I'll still buy some traps for now, and set them down in the garage, which should answer the question of where I park.

Don't use the "humane" sticky traps. They catch the rats/mice fine but the rat/mouse will try to chew itself free. I used one once and there was blood splattered everywhere (and the rat, minus its tail, got away).

[Ashikabi]

Park outside? Still exterminator though

[SUB-FT86]

This thread title is hilarious!

[bcj]

Had a squirrel trying to build a nest between the block and intake tubes last fall.
Left muddy little footprints all over the engine bay.

Took the shop vac to clean all the twigs and leaves out.
I tried clothes pinning a couple of new dryer sheets inside the engine bay and he didn't come back.
May put some fresh ones in now with this cold weather. Hmm.

[HFP-CivicSI]

Originally Posted by MrDinkleman

Don't use the "humane" sticky traps. They catch the rats/mice fine but the rat/mouse will try to chew itself free. I used one once and there was blood splattered everywhere (and the rat, minus its tail, got away).

Your supposed to put food and water in the humane traps so the critter can survive and you can release it. If you just put bait, the animal will go into life or death mode and do whatever it takes to get out. If it has food available, it will not try to eat itself alive. Just a tip!