Rats

Took our 2022 4Runner in today for its 5000 mile service. This is what they found. Had to install a wire mesh screen ($307) to keep mice from entering the interior. Won’t stop them from getting to the engine compartment.

 

Hopefully they didn't damage the harness like they did with my Runner. It was a $9K fix and it wasn't even 2 years old.

 

Whippersnapper2, yikes. We live in the country and it’s impossible to keep the rodents out.

 

Yep, I went through that earlier this year.

 

I remember reading about that rodent wiring issue. We live in the country as well, there's tons of products to keep them away. But they all seem hit or miss. So we got a garage cat now.

 

Man I am paranoid about that. I had mile oil changed no issues. I am in the suburbs and park in a garage. I have mouse poison in there, two traps and bounce fabric softener under cardboard under my engine bay.

 

They found this gunk in the Cabin filter?
Where and how did you install the wire mesh screens.

I have mouse baits too inside the garage. Am yet to spot one.
That's after i found blue tail lizard droppings on top on the tires.

Wouldn't want them attracting serpents in.

 

Here’s how I installed a rodent screen.
https://www.4runners.com/threads/keep-mice-out-of-the-cabin-filter.24836/#post-331456

 

Does anyone have experience with one of these products:

MouseBlocker 95731 Pro Plug-In Anti-Rodent Car Protection System To Keep Mice Out Of Cars - California Car Cover Co. (calcarcover.com)

MouseBlocker 1000X Anti-Rodent Protection MB51599 - California Car Cover Co. (calcarcover.com)

 

Below is the product I got that weekly leaves me dead birds, mice, lizards etc.. cost free (except for cat food). I found him living in my drainage pipe under the driveway. Yes, he's missing his right rear but does not slow him down when running except he pulls to the right. My dog is pissed off, cat sleeps in his dog house and has mastered the dog door to the garage.

 

Svmtrscr and this is why I can’t have one of those

 

We have tried all the mouse killing gadgets, dryer sheets and special things there are with no good results. About the best is the sticky things that you know it’s dead cuz you see them.

 

Yes I agree before the cat, glue traps worked the best. I also had some success with the old snap trap with peanut butter as bait. My neighbor (like 88 yrs.old) said he uses diesel fuel around the perimeter of his house, says critters will not cross it. I also do this, can't hurt.

 

Just don’t light a match!

 

I wonder if these methods work for others -

https://youtu.be/qb44R7rJapQ

 

Nothing in the Rat Zapper. I put one in the Z28 about a year ago.

 

This trap/plank works great, caught all the mice in the garage the first night.You just need to fine tune it by adjusting the magnet. Looks like Amazon is out, but there's others. But can't speak for them.

PLAN LIFE Plank Mouse Trap - Humane Bucket Rat Traps - Walk The Plank Automatic Reset Mouse Killer for Mice & Other Pests & Rodents

PLAN LIFE Plank Mouse Trap - Humane Bucket Rat Traps - Walk The Plank Automatic Reset Mouse Killer for Mice & Other Pests & Rodents

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0747BDGMZ

 

Close your recirc when you park. At least it keeps 'em from most of your HVAC. Also check your air cleaner box from time to time. Trust me on this one. LOL!

 

I did the air filter engine box ... blocked the steel screen 1/2 inch where the air port ..all my other vehicles 40yrs set it up..
the 4runner I sprayed it peppermint spray all over the engine .. a month or so ...in the fall rodents are killing the new vehicles ..chewing the soy wire harness ..

 

So, drowning in a bucket is the humane death? Lol!

 

I took off the plastic air vent hood area .. then I used the wire screen 1/2 in ...
then I installed the insect screen on the plastic air vent next to the hood..
GM did the screen ... Toyota its a mess of the HVAC air filter ...

 

Pardon my ignorance but how do you do that. Press it on before shutting off vehicle? Can you leave on max ac and accomplish that?

 

I never said that, but according to the description it is. What's lol? Low on liquor?

 

Not exactly sure about max ac but yes, push the little button with the car and the sideways "U" on it. That closes off the outside air, at least to the heater box. That's what the guy told me when my Tundra got attacked. Been doin' religiously ever since.

 

For the moment I have around 15 pieces of poison in my garage, a few hundred bounce sheets underneath the 4R for winter and a couple traps.

I’ll tell you what my garage is separate from house in city and you open the garage door and the bounce fabric sheets are noticeable for some time even with a two car garage door fully open.

Usually in winter I’d start the 4R once per month while it’s stored. But I am wondering if the bounce sheets might get pulled up toward the engine this year. Never used bounce just on the floor like that.

 

I know you didn't. I was just commenting on the description.

 

Glue traps are your best bet. Catches all vermin's in the garage successfully. I have a block of Green Bait in the corner of the garage. Just to monitor for mice activities. Haven't been touched in years. Don't really want a mice to die in a hard to find part of the vehicle.

 

Yeah maybe I will get some glue traps also; I just opened the garage ironically enough to check the traps and nothing in four of them; I was over powered by the smell of bounce fabric softener as soon as I opened the garage door.