Mice inside the runner!

I live in the country. I hadn’t driven the runner in about a month because of a tire issue.

I did notice a piss smell here and there even a few months ago, then driving it yesterday the smell was BAD. I had seen some droppings here and there and just figured maybe some mouse pee had gotten into the carpet in the far back.

So I ripped that out, still a pee smell. It wasn’t until I pulled back the plastic that covers the outside air vent that I realized they had a nest there. Also the air vent has giant gaps directly outside, which is just like putting a welcome mat for every mouse in the tri county area.

https://youtube.com/shorts/T0b6siXkq2k?si=5ud88u59q49yzz5H

after I cleared the nest and detoxed the area with a lot of simple green, paper towels, and an enzyme spray, I did a quick Jerry rigged mouse proofing of the air intake. Did 2 levels of chicken wire and some self tapping screws.

https://i.imgur.com/xWnuIjG.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/iofSRpg.jpeg

also set 2 mousetraps in there overnight, hoping I don’t catch anything and the bastards already fled in terror when they had the chance.

still have to shampoo and scrub down all the carpets. What a pain the ass, d**khead mice.

 

Try peppermint oil and dryer sheets as well if you’re haven’t

 

I discovered evidence of mice in my previous 4Runner about a year after I bought it. Luckily I caught it very early. I put bars of Irish Spring soap ( leaving them in the cardboard box) under the seats, in glove box, and stashed a few in the back cargo area. Didn't have any further issues. I put soap in my new 4R immediately.

 

Sorry to hear, but thanks for posting that nest location. My 4R was parked 8 months in the country, and I sure wish I knew to prep it before leaving it there. Both tiny mice and bigger field mice or rat nests under hood and under passenger seat. I tried 100% peppermint essential oil, which seemed to help keep them out of cabin, but new mouse poo (smaller, less of it) every few days... for 3 months! Got traps, but no apparent interest in peanut butter. The real problem is under the dash in the HVAC system, based on stink. Simply avoiding that for now.

 

A mouse is worth a dollar? I have mice in my freezer! I have hibernated certain species of snakes in the refrigerator to induce breeding.

 

I got a rat zapper.

Never caught anything.