Notices
Exterior & Interior 350Z Body modification, interior styling and lighting
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

BAD Mouse Problem!!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-29-2015, 10:34 AM
  #1  
3vilbunny
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
3vilbunny's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NY
Posts: 52
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Angry BAD Mouse Problem!!!

I am not sure exactly where to stick this post but I figure interior and exterior is a start.

Does anyone know common areas underneath and inside the 350z that mice can get through? I have a 2006 350z and unfortunately live in upstate NY so I don't drive it in the winter. The last few winters I have kept my car in the garage covered. In the last two years I have had a mouse problem. It started with some droppings here and there. Now the car smells TERRIBLE, it is absolutely disgusting. I finally decided to do something about it and am currently ripping the entire interior apart. I believe they have been living behind the rear speakers but there are trails everywhere (trunk, mid-section, behind the seats, behind the cd deck, everywhere, I also saw droppings in the engine bay. When I removed the panels behind the seats I almost couldn't breath.

Please help if you know ways to prevent this from happening in the future, I plan to set lots of traps but I need to prevent them from even getting into the car if possible!

Thanks!
Old 09-29-2015, 12:00 PM
  #2  
jdmfetish
New Member
iTrader: (3)
 
jdmfetish's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 925
Received 125 Likes on 94 Posts
Default

i would bet that many cars where you park , and where you live , for prolonged periods of storage have this issue

its not unique to your car and i do not think you can stop it , if it is parked where it has been for these time periods

sorry i am sure not what you want to hear
Old 09-29-2015, 12:10 PM
  #3  
dkmura
General & DIY Moderator
MY350Z.COM
iTrader: (64)
 
dkmura's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Aurora, Colorado
Posts: 8,359
Received 1,292 Likes on 896 Posts
Default

The Z33 is pretty well insulated from the factory, so it's somewhat surprising you have a pest problem. I'd check the area underneath the windshield cowling to see if they're getting in through the interior climate control system. That could be a real problem...
Old 09-29-2015, 01:46 PM
  #4  
myork
New Member
iTrader: (5)
 
myork's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: NJ
Posts: 541
Received 9 Likes on 7 Posts
Default

After its cleaned up, to prevent it in the future, get some small tins (like take out food), and put mothballs in the tins.
Rodents hate the smell and will stay out, and the tins will prevent the mothballs from dissolving into the carpet, seat, or wherever you place them.
Old 09-29-2015, 02:50 PM
  #5  
dboyzalter
6 inch cawk is my fave!
iTrader: (3)
 
dboyzalter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Mass
Posts: 6,557
Received 972 Likes on 759 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by myork
After its cleaned up, to prevent it in the future, get some small tins (like take out food), and put mothballs in the tins.
Rodents hate the smell and will stay out, and the tins will prevent the mothballs from dissolving into the carpet, seat, or wherever you place them.
I heard the mothball methed also.. Ive seen people do other methods like dryer sheets and peppermint oil soaked cotton *****.. I think a mix of dryer sheets and mothballs might be a good start. Mice will get in if they want they suck.
Old 09-29-2015, 03:52 PM
  #6  
jhc
General & Tech Moderator
MY350Z.COM
 
jhc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: ZdayZ
Posts: 10,400
Received 2,225 Likes on 1,594 Posts
Default

Who's your Buddy?

https://my350z.com/forum/maintenance...hate-mice.html
Old 09-29-2015, 05:27 PM
  #7  
3vilbunny
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
3vilbunny's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NY
Posts: 52
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Haha I don't know! Thanks everyone, I will definitely try the moth ***** and peppermint oil. I did seal off my garage recently because of the mouse problem so that may help too. I'll check the window cowling, it definitely seems like they are getting in through the engine bay area and working their way to the rear end of the car. I'll let you all know what I discover. So far I have half the interior out as of today and it seems like they got everywhere. It is just amazing because the outside of the car is so clean, they must have been sneaking around under the panels for some time.
Old 09-30-2015, 07:16 AM
  #8  
MicVelo
350Z/370Z Tech Moderator
MY350Z.COM
 
MicVelo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Northern California
Posts: 10,033
Received 3,255 Likes on 2,316 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 3vilbunny
Haha I don't know! Thanks everyone, I will definitely try the moth ***** and peppermint oil. I did seal off my garage recently because of the mouse problem so that may help too. I'll check the window cowling, it definitely seems like they are getting in through the engine bay area and working their way to the rear end of the car. I'll let you all know what I discover. So far I have half the interior out as of today and it seems like they got everywhere. It is just amazing because the outside of the car is so clean, they must have been sneaking around under the panels for some time.
When I first saw the title of this thread, my first thought: "Call tech support."

OK, with that glib out of the way....

http://how-to-get-rid-of-mice.com/mo...ellent-smells/

Moreso, do a good inspection of wiring, belts, and hoses underhood and as best as can, under dash. Them varmints love to chew s**t just for the helluvit.

Good luck, OP. That's a nasty problem.
Old 09-30-2015, 07:38 AM
  #9  
3vilbunny
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
3vilbunny's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NY
Posts: 52
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks for the link! Yea, I am hoping they didn't chew anything too bad.
Old 09-30-2015, 08:19 AM
  #10  
jz350
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
 
jz350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: new york
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Check your cabin filter for a nest. There is an area under the passenger side windshield cowel. There is an open area where mice can get in.
Old 09-30-2015, 09:52 AM
  #11  
dkmura
General & DIY Moderator
MY350Z.COM
iTrader: (64)
 
dkmura's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Aurora, Colorado
Posts: 8,359
Received 1,292 Likes on 896 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by jz350
Check your cabin filter for a nest. There is an area under the passenger side windshield cowel. There is an open area where mice can get in.
There is no cabin filter on Z33s. The open area for ventilation under the cowl is simply that- open.
Old 09-30-2015, 11:52 AM
  #12  
3vilbunny
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
3vilbunny's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NY
Posts: 52
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Will do! Thank you, do you think there is any chance I could install some kind of screen to prevent them from getting into that area? I didn't realize there was no cabin filter.
Old 09-30-2015, 11:40 PM
  #13  
terrasmak
Super Moderator
MY350Z.COM
iTrader: (8)
 
terrasmak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sin City
Posts: 28,640
Received 2,284 Likes on 1,646 Posts
Default

I would thing the vents in the trunk out be where they come in.
Old 10-01-2015, 06:57 AM
  #14  
3vilbunny
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
3vilbunny's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NY
Posts: 52
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Ah I'll look at those too! Didn't even think about that.
Old 10-01-2015, 02:08 PM
  #15  
zakmartin
New Member
 
zakmartin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 2,822
Received 512 Likes on 377 Posts
Default

This is the kind of situation where a digital inspection camera is worth its weight in gold. I use an AC Delco scope like the one in the picture at the bottom of this post.

I've worked on farm trucks with mouse problems and will attest that they can (and will) explore every corner of your car, from the spare tire well to inside the seats, the HVAC system, behind the stereo, etc. I once found a bunch of dead baby mice behind a factory head unit while doing a stereo swap on a farm truck that was sitting in a field for 2 years. The HU was covered in droppings and urine and the mouse/mice used seat foam to build a nest with.

Another time, I found a dead mouse stuck to the foam on a door in the blend air control box of a Ford Explorer. I charged the guy $40 extra on gross factor. He hadn't mentioned that the car sat next to a rodent-infested wood pile for over a year until after I found the thing. I had to cut the box out with a Dremel, clean everything out and spray everything down with Lysol before putting the box back together with epoxy. The Lysol smell never really went away, but at least it was better than the way the dead mouse smelled, which depending on their heater or A/C usage, was either bone dry musty or soaking wet disgusting.

You absolutely DO want to use a respirator and gloves when you're dealing with this stuff because of Hantavirus and other respiratory issues associated with rodent feces.

Good luck. Hope you can get it all worked out. I've heard people with rodent problems will sometimes put mothballs around the outside of their cars with some success.



Last edited by zakmartin; 10-01-2015 at 02:09 PM.
Old 10-05-2015, 06:50 AM
  #16  
3vilbunny
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
3vilbunny's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NY
Posts: 52
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks for the response! I'll see if I can get my hands on one! So far I have most of the interior apart. Hopefully I'll find the source soon.
Old 10-06-2015, 07:36 AM
  #17  
Phenom
Toasty
iTrader: (4)
 
Phenom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: New York
Posts: 13,783
Received 1,382 Likes on 990 Posts
Default

Just buy a cat and let it live in your car.
Old 10-08-2015, 07:19 AM
  #18  
3vilbunny
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
3vilbunny's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NY
Posts: 52
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Haha I wish. One spot they were getting in was under the windshield cowl where the blower unit connects to the outside of the car, this was to be expected but I created a little fix.







Metal lath is sturdy and just small enough that mice can't get through.
Old 03-26-2017, 12:43 PM
  #19  
neotheone
New Member
 
neotheone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Lawton, OK
Posts: 7
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

2004 Touring. I've had the same problem. Set traps behind the seats, put packets of mint oil (3) inside the cockpit (smells pretty good-not like mothballs). Since November 2016 I've probably caught enough mice to make several pairs of gloves. I found one of my traps with a leg sticking out and the trap hanging from the leg on the thin area under the dash on the passenger side-it was still attached to the live mouse! and have since put steel wool in under the dash on the passenger and driver sides. I have not found any evidence in the rear area. All of the areas near the windshield wipers are covered so they are not getting in there. Any other ideas like wheel well or something where they might gain entry? Thx.
Old 03-26-2017, 02:53 PM
  #20  
dboyzalter
6 inch cawk is my fave!
iTrader: (3)
 
dboyzalter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Mass
Posts: 6,557
Received 972 Likes on 759 Posts
Default

Theirs some vents in the back on each side (under all the carpet and Styrofoam... By the Bose amp) that mice could easily enter through. Thats the only place I know of for sure that a mouse could easily enter.
The following users liked this post:
neotheone (03-26-2017)


Quick Reply: BAD Mouse Problem!!!



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:05 PM.