VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Moth Balls?

Today dropped off a customer's car with it's new upholstery. A question that came up I really didn't know the answer. The customer asked me if he should keep moth balls in the car all the time, just when not using it for an extended time, or over the winter only. I don't put any in my car, but wanted to ask what most do. Do the rodents and insects really like these cars to warrant moth balls?

Moth balls are just as the name implies, to keep away moths from wool. Modern upholstery materials seldom contain wool. As for mice, ttI hae never seen a smell they didn't like. That goes for drier sheets also.

The secret is to keep a clean garage, and set bait-less traps against the walls and by the doors. Baited ones draw them in, so use the bait-less ones. Set the paddle side against the wall. The mice always hug the walls as they run, so will run into them. Check them very regularly.

I'd rather let the mice have the car then have to smell mothballs every time I go for a drive....

The above has worked well for me also.

I heard to use liquid peppermint. A few drops on a clothe in a bowl once in a while. Plus it smells good, start out with small amounts. I use it & no mice this year. Don't know if it is true.
Dulty

We have stored RV's in farmers fields for years and mice are an issue. Brewster's ideas above are the most consistent and easiest.

A bait station somewhere far away from the garage/house can help as it draws them away and kills them. Watch pets though.

Many people have success with a product called "Fresh Cab". These are packets that smell like pine. But then your car smells like pine.

The best product I've found for our RV's is "Mouse Free". It is pretty well automotive gelled grease-like undercoating with a peppermint scent. Literally apply it with a Shutz gun liberally. The underbelly, springs, etc are so slimy that no critters or bugs can gain access. OK for a daily driver but messy for a restored car. Nice smell though.

There are some interesting articles on mice in cars on the internet. Many types of the newer soy based wiring, door pads and seat cushions actually attract mice. Subaru has had real problems. Read a story about a brand new Subaru being a total writeoff after one weekend parked on a farm beside their other cars. Mice ate everything...ouch.

I use both moth balls and dryer sheets for my 32 with good results. In my storage area over the garage I set out mouse traps with peanut butter and catch several mice per year. I tried using D-Con and other poisons and most was just stashed away by the mice. Some wire manufacturers were using vanilla extract to keep the vinyl wire covering flexible and it does attract the mice.

Great ideas guys. Thanks for the info and I'll pass it on.