Mice!

[gotaflat]

Well we have a mouse plague!

The buggers are everywhere, and despite baiting and owning 2 cats (not to mention the feral ones that live around the farm), we have now have evidence of them IN THE CAR!!! :mad:

So we had evidence ( :toilet: ) a few weeks ago that one (or many) got in the car and chewed up some paper in the glove box (this where we have seen most of the 'evidence'). Cleaned up and during the service a week ago got the dealer to check for any dmamge. Assuming the actually looked, there was no damage.

So late last week - more evidence. Set a trap overnight in the car - re-baited the car-shed and work shop/farm sheds etc (2 buckets of wax blocks eaten of over the last 2 months so far) and BINGO! - nice fat mouse in the trap in the car...... Set again and yep - another one, and again last night :censored::censored:

Had a good look around under the bonnet and little bit of evidence of the buggers there - no chewed wires/plastic etc.

However, where the hell do they get in the car? I am concerned that the opening is now a freeway of mice in and out of the car.

Any ideas on where they would get in the car - from under the bonnet? I need to find the opening so I can fill it and check for the amount of damage?

One thought is pulling the front/bottom window trim where the wiper arms are fixed? It does look like the mice have been around the sides of the bonnet mounts and heading up under that trim to the dash. Give that the evidence is all in the front of the car glove box - assume this might help me get a look at the fire wall/insulation etc?

[Graeme]

They probably chewed through the pollen filter, located behind the glove-box. It could do with some decent wire mesh.

Remove the engine cover to prevent them keeping warm there.

[~Rich~]

I thought you might be the expert on mice and rats Graeme!

[Don 130]

a mouse fits through a hole about 10 mm on diameter. keep the baits up to them.
Don

[33chinacars]

a mouse fits through a hole about 10 mm on diameter. keep the baits up to them.
Don

Or even a lot smaller. Were've got rats they make a bigger mess IMHO. So far only had them in the wifes I30. AND the roof of the house. Thet keep me awake at night. Lately they've had a good feed of Racumin :twisted::twisted: Not so noisey now

Gary

[Graeme]

Fortunately the D4's pollen filter kept them out and the engine cover was removed early enough. The RRC wasn't so fortunate - it will never be used again due to the stench.

Edit: The D4's bonnet was left up too.

[CaverD3]

I was thinking the air box too, especially as the first evidence was the glove box. Some mesh over the opening below the valance may be a good way to stop them even getting to the pollen filter. Unless thay have chewed another opening somewhere. I woould check the elbow of the tube at the top of the fuel tank too; they seem to find it particularly tasty.

[robbotd5]

I've had 2 in the laundry sink, kids found the first one, so I had to let it go down the road in the bush. The second one I found myself and I gave it a swimming lesson, It did not end well for the wee mousie.
Regards
Robbo

[gotaflat]

thanks all,

Pulled the pollen filler tonight and this is what I found.....

Thanks again - Did a search and found where to look and removal process etc.

So quick one - once in there - how can they get into the car? it looked sealed and not sure they can get through the fan???? unless there is a vent they can go through?

Also - am going to order a new filter (just stating the bleeding obvious), and assume the that the number on the filter is the part # I had a quick look at Britcar and found the following. http://www.brit-car.co.uk/search.php?xSearch=Lr023977&submit.x=0&submit.y=0&submit=Search

I have to assume that the most expensive one is the one I need? And is the stealer the best place to get one quickly or can I order from somewhere else (and get sent ASAP)?

Can I leave this filter out untill I get the new one - or best to leave in place?

Cheers

[CaverD3]

Looks like they went through the filter and then through the fan and ducting. probably out of the air return. Unless you block the way in they will be back. either block the intake under the valance or clean the filter and put some screen over it. (fine cken wire?)

[SouthOz]

I found a wine bottle with some vegetable oil on the end and some peanut butter in the opening on a cupboard-bench over a bucket half full of water makes a good mouse trap. Quite entertaining to sit quietly and watch. ;)

Thanx
Dave

[gotaflat]

Looks like they went through the filter and then through the fan and ducting. probably out of the air return. Unless you block the way in they will be back. either block the intake under the valance or clean the filter and put some screen over it. (fine cken wire?)

Thanks CaverD3. When you say valance - I am not sure where that is/means. I have some fine S/S mesh which will do the job nicely - and can cut to fit over the top (above) the filter. However if I can get something in place higher up the inlet...make sense for that to occur.

Thanks
PS - worked out what the different prices were on the Britt Car site (G = Genuine LR),

[CaverD3]

The valance is the plastic bit between th bonnet and the screen. You will need to take the wipers off the get it out though. Once out it is obvious where the fresh air intake is. If you have some fine SS mesh glue it to the outside of the intake with a poly mastic.