Motorists have been warned of the risk of rats or mice getting into parked cars during Covid-19.
The owner of a two-year-old Mercedes-Benz who had not used his car for three weeks found that rodents had eaten their way through the cables under the engine and caused several thousand euros in damage.
Pest control expert Rentokil received 518 calls related to rodent activities in vehicles in Ireland between April 2020 and March 2021, according to AA Roadwatch.
And a car repair company said the number of cases of rodent activity in vehicles at its three stores in Galway, Wexford and Dublin counties has doubled since last November.
According to Managed Automotive Repair Network Limited, repairing a two-year-old BMW cost almost 5,500 euros.
The damage included chewed up panels around the engine compartment, bitten cables, cracks in the seats and carpet, and the vehicle also had to be decontaminated.
Other damage affected rats who ate the windshield washer hoses to the headlights or the windshield washers to get a water supply.
According to AA Roadwatch, the engines are dry, warm and undisturbed and thus offer an ideal shelter for rearing, resting or feeding these creatures.
Spokeswoman Anna Cullen added, “If they choose to nest, rodents can cause significant damage to your vehicle
“In addition to these risks, creatures can chew through harnesses and cause short circuits, chew through coolant pipes, or get stuck behind dashboards.
The creatures’ tears or scratching can destroy the inner surfaces and feces, moldy food or rotting creatures can lead to very unpleasant smells. “
If rodents were present, Rentokil recommends complete pest disinfection of the vehicle to neutralize potential pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.
Insecticidal treatment may also be needed as rodents carry parasites such as fleas, lice, mites, and ticks.
The best way to deter rodents is to remove any sources of food or nesting materials from your vehicle.
According to Rentokil, mice can fit through a gap greater than 5 mm in circumference and an ordinary rat can fit through any gap 20 mm or more in circumference.
If possible, park your vehicle in a closed garage.
If rodents manage to get into your engine, try your best to make it very difficult for them to nest. This can be done by spraying off chilling smells, by using bright lights, low frequency noise boxes, or by bringing cat litter or pet hair into the vehicle.
