ERIE, Pa., March 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Over recent
months, you may have found yourself driving less than usual. While
your car sits idle, the inside of your hood makes for a cozy escape
from the cold for many unwanted creatures – like mice. They may be
small, but they can create big problems for you and your vehicle. A
single mouse can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your car
in a matter of days. And the diseases they carry can be harmful to
your health, too.
If you suspect a mouse has made your car its new home, the best
course of action is to get it out — fast. Erie
Insurance provides five ways to tell if there are mice in your
vehicle:
- Car problems: Unfortunately, some drivers first
discover a rodent problem when their car won't start or isn't
working properly. This is often caused by mice chewing through
wires in the engine compartment. With so many complex electrical
systems in modern cars, chewed-up wires are almost guaranteed to
cause problems.
- Damaged upholstery: If a mouse has decided to make
itself a new home in your car, it will start by looking for
materials to build a nest. If you find holes in your seats, missing
chunks of insulation or chewed-up foam, you might have a mouse
problem.
- Mouse droppings: Like any pest infestation, finding
animal waste is a pretty good indicator that you have a problem.
Look for tiny mouse droppings on your car's carpeting, seat and
dashboard.
- Bad smells: If you detect foul odors coming from
your car, it may be due to a pest problem. Often, drivers will
first detect these smells coming from the vehicle's air vents. Mice
can use the vent system as a tunnel to get from the engine bay to
your car's interior. And vents often provide easy access to
insulation and filter materials they can use to build a
nest.
- Mouse nest: Finding a mouse nest is the easiest way
to confirm your rodent suspicions. The first place you should look
is inside your car's airbox (that's where the engine air filter is
located). Mice love this location because it's warm and protected
from the elements. Open the box and look for signs of rodent
freeloaders. The area should be empty and relatively clean, so it
will be evident if there's a nest inside. You should also check
under your car's plastic engine cover if it has one.
Even if you leave your doors closed and your windows rolled up,
there are plenty of ways for a mouse to get into your car. Once
you've made the unfortunate discovery, here are four ways to get
them out.
- Turn up the heat. Just like humans, mice
don't like extreme temperatures. Roll up your car's windows and
park in the sun on a nice day. Or blast the heat in the car for a
few minutes. All that heat may convince the mouse to move out.
- Honk the horn. Loud noises, like honking
your horn, may scare a mouse of its new home in your car.
- Use repellent. Most home improvement stores
will sell several types of mouse repellents you can place in and
around your car. Many people have also had success using cotton
balls soaked in peppermint oil.
- Set mousetraps. Mousetraps aren't only useful
for keeping mice out of your house. Setting traps in or under
your vehicle can also help protect your vehicle from unwanted
visitors.
At Erie Insurance, animal-related damage to your car is covered
by the optional comprehensive coverage in your auto
insurance policy. That includes damage to your car from mice or
rats. You'll just be responsible for paying your deductible.
Check out this video for more information on rats in your hood and
how to prevent it.
If you have questions about your specific policy, talk to
your local ERIE agent to
understand what your policy can cover (and where you might have
gaps).
About Erie Insurance
According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group,
based in Erie, Pennsylvania,
is the 11th largest homeowners insurer and 12th largest
automobile insurer in the United States based on direct
premiums written and the 16th largest property/casualty
insurer in the United States based on total lines net
premium written. The Group, rated A+ (Superior) by A.M.
Best Company, has nearly 6 million policies in force and operates
in 12 states and the District of Columbia. Erie Insurance
Group is a FORTUNE 500 company.
News releases and more information about Erie Insurance
Group are available at www.erieinsurance.com.
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SOURCE Erie Insurance Group