Tips for keeping mice out during winter storage?

[brads70]

After buy my Challenger I am out of places to keep the "fleet" I found a guy very close to my house that stores cars and boats in a former cattle barn. It's all cleaned up and has limestone screening on the floors. Lots of nice cars in there. I'm thinking about storing my Buick there. I'm concerned about mice getting in and making a mess of my car . He sets out rat poison etc... but it's darn near impossible to keep them all out.
Any tips tricks? I heard someone say place bounce dryer sheets all over to discourage them? I don't want my car smelling like moth balls.

[Topcat]

The little bastards will rule the world one day I swear.

I still think that a good male Tabby Cat is the best mouse hunter of all the breeds. I've owned 3 or 4 of them and they always bring home prizes whether I wish it or not.

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=17406.0
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=35628.0
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=64291.0

[rallye73]

I've got a female calico cat that would rather hunt for mice than eat cat food from the dish.

[Alaskan_TA]

Ask Jackie if Beaner is ready for a new home.   

[1970 RT Challenger 1970]

Most storage places use those high frequency boxes that repel mice (about 4" x 4" x 2") that plug into a 120v outlet. About $10 to $30 at Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Rona, Canadian Tire, etc.

I've used one for 15+ years without any mouse problems.

If you use mouse traps, use a very small amount (size of a kernal of corn) of peanut butter as it works the best. They'll bite the string off a piece of cheese.

[JH27N0B]

Always put your sunvisors down when you store a car, for some reason, mice love to climb up on sunvisors and chew little round holes in your headliner.  DAMHIK! 

[moparmaniac59]

I think there is some results to all these remedies. I've also heard Irish Spring soap shavings work. I do know that if you put fine steel wool in vents & ducts where they can gain access, it will stop them. There is also I product I use in my garage called Critter-Away. It looks like sand (it probably is) and smells like STRONG urine. It is actually a mixture of fox, bobcat & coyote scent. You place a tablespoon in a stocking ball and toss in approx 10 ft radius areas. I haven't have a problem since I've been using it, so it works for me. Here's a link!! http://www.critter-repellent.com/
Good luck. I hate critters!!!

                                               Matt B.

[brads70]

Thanks for all your suggestions! Lots of good stuff here!

[Aussie Challenger]

Even if they don't get inside the car they can do a lot of damage under the hood and around the brake hoses etc.   

[Supercuda]

Best physical barrier I've seen recommended is to put car up on jackstands high enough that they can't climb the tires; jackstands are in pans of nasty stuff (can't remember the fluid used) that the critters won't cross; standard barrier in openings, and Irish Spring or mothballs, or other suggested products to ensure that any truly adventurous rodents are discouraged from staying. Nothing is perfect, so the barn cat is also a really good idea.

[Super Blue 72]

Always put your sunvisors down when you store a car, for some reason, mice love to climb up on sunvisors and chew little round holes in your headliner.  DAMHIK! 

Ohhhhh....so that's how I got those holes!!!!! 

I like the idea Supercuda had about lifting the car off the ground....be careful as the little bugger can jump!  They can grab onto a car cover and weasel around that way into your car.

Moth balls (I'm beginning to like the smell of them...), glue boads with peanut butter.  Steel wool in the tailpipes.  Make sure the airfilter housing is sealed off.  I don't know about yours but my '72 not only has the snorkel opening but also a opening on the bottom of the pan. 

I heard dryer sheets work too.  Makes you car smell sprint time fresh when you get it out in the spring! 

[MEK-Dangerfield]

I found out that the intake manifold is a great place for squirrels to store their nuts.   

[DoNotChallengeHer]

Irish Spring soap, in a plastic container. In the trunk, under the hood and inside the car. Some stainless steel up the tailpipes. The little critters like to put acorns in your tailpipes. 

[dodj]

Irish Spring soap, in a plastic container. In the trunk, under the hood and inside the car.

I used this method last year @ donotchallengher's suggestion and there were no signs of mice in my car or 5th wheel come spring. Seems to work 

[MOPAR FANATIC]

  Break out the mossberg ulta mag 12 ga shot gun,mice just seem to vanish in thin air.