The short answer is YES they can! But it’s important to understand how and why they like to get into and damage vehicles so you can prevent it from happening to you. When rodents such as mice and rats come upon your yard, they’re looking for three main things: water, food, and shelter.

They tend to scramble from hiding place to hiding place until a suitable location is found to build a nest. Cars are convenient and readily available, so that’s usually where they head first. Why? Cars:

• Block the wind, offering a much-needed reprieve from inclement weather.
• Provide protection from predators.
• Have seats that are warm and fluffy, making for ideal nest material.
• Have soft insulation under the hood that rodents can rip out and use to build a nest, usually in the engine compartment.
• Have soft carpets on the interior or in the trunk where they can get warm.
• Can be littered with fast food bags and other trash that they can eat.

For all these reasons and more, vehicles are a prime target for rodents. Call a rodent control expert in Nashville if you have spotted rodents in your car or in your home.

Tips to Keep Rodents Out of Your Car

From keeping your car interior clean to not letting it sit for days on end, there are many ways you can keep rodents from setting up shop in your car.

• Rodents tend to nest in cars that have been sitting dormant for a while. Start up your car regularly to keep them from getting too comfortable.
• Rodents like wooded areas, so keep your car away from tall grasses or woods if you can.
• Rodents explore yards teeming with organic clutter. Be sure to rake and remove leaves on the ground that may be near your car.
• Rodents are drawn to trash, so keep the interior of your car clean and free from fast food bags and wrappers.

These methods will certainly help to reduce rodent activity around your car but they can’t prevent them from gaining access. The best thing you can do is to reduce rodent attractants. If that doesn’t work, population management will be the next step. For that, seek out the help of a rodent exterminator in Nashville TN to deal with the infestation promptly. Your technician can also give you more tips on how to keep rodents from getting inside your car, as well as provide seasonal maintenance that ensures they don’t keep returning.

Rodent Control by PureGuard Pest Solutions in Nashville TN

If you’ve been having car trouble and have just discovered rodents in your vehicle, contact us today at 615-502-2855 for a free pest inspection and quote on effective rodent control in Nashville.