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I put the cars up on blocks in the late fall for the winter, then sprinkled Comet on the garage floor around each block. Mice don't like the smell of Comet. Worked perfectly for me .
We have used moth balls, dryer sheets inside, Comet cleanser around tires. Haven't had rodent problems. But it may be like the guy on the park bench waving his arms. When asked what he was doing. "Keeping the elephants away." When challenged with "I don't see any elephants". The reply "Works pretty well doesn't it!".
Using some bailing wire, I merely hang a picture of a "fulton" underneath the car. (Yes. Just a picture. (Sliding an actual "fulton" under the vehicle would be considered cruel and unusual punishment.)
While Decon, or some other poison, well placed along the permitter baseline of the garage's walls works pretty good in controlling population, it seems that the picture works even better. Those mice and rats have better taste than some people and, thus, avoid seeing something really gross no matter the mouth watering odors being emitted from the cars upholstery and wiring. Besides, the picture never needs replacing as bait does.
Seriously. After measures have been taken to rid yourself of those rats and mice, plugging holes in the car's body that give them access to the interior is further protection for those mice and rats who somehow miss seeing the picture.* It is said that any opening they can get their head through the rest of their body can follow.
Fleetliners don't have mice and rat problems. Any visiting or passersby rodents merely stop in their tracks and admiringly stare at the car for a spell, shake their heads and move on to someplace with a 37 or 38 to gnaw on. You know.
Best,
Charlie
* Using two pictures mounted back-to-back may be a temporary fix for this happenstance but as word gets around amongst in the rodent population, one will be quite enough. Then the extra picture can be sold to a 37 or 38er. You know.
BTW: Mounted "fultons" do not scare off rodents. As many other animals they tend to not look up very often. Especially way up there.
BTW2: It seems this topic comes up right often. Not as ofter as oil questions but still now and then. After my solution using a picture gets around we may never see posts about mice and rats again. Just saying.
BTW3: Once Tiny wanted to bait a mouse trap and couldn't find a piece of cheese so he used a picture of a piece of cheese instead. Next morning he went to the mousetrap and lo and behold there was a picture of a mouse where the picture of the piece of cheese had been. Mice are not only as smart as some humans but, can be, seemingly, right retaliatory humorous as well. Sorry, Tiny. The devil made me do it.
Before I learned about using Comet I tried mothballs - put a little pile of them in the trunk. When I opened the trunk the next spring it looked like the mice had been playing soccer all winter with my mothballs - had even pulled a bit of the stuffing out of the back seat cushion to use as goalposts. So much for mothballs!
Cab Fresh works wells for me in tractors and semis, although I will tell you once they get in and fall in love with the place you will never get rid of them no matter what. Some trucks I have no problem with, and then they are full in the truck beside them. On the farm I have no end to the food for them so it is even harder. I have one grain truck they love even if I use it multiple times a week. They even chewed the rubber fuel line until they got to gas (which was a problem once I started it unknowingly) and I had just drive it a couple of days prior. I’ve never had them in the 35 Chev truck, but I use it daily and it is left wide open in the shed (windows down and all) so hiding isn’t as easy.
Charlie. I don't know where you come up with this stuff. I burst out laughing with your first paragraph. I have a 48 coupe, but I suppose you still think of me a a Fleetliner. Would like a fulton though.
1946 Chevy 3100 1/2 Ton Pickup Purchased 11/18/17 Sold 9/20 1948 Chevy Fleetmaster Coupe, Purchased 6/20/2010 1965 Chevy ll 350 Purchased Feb 2021. 3-speed Saginaw Hurst Floor Shifter 3.08 Rear End
I have a mint spray I use that seems to work ok. I buy the concentrate that will make a gallon but double it up and only make a half gallon. I spray the tires, around the firewall and the trunk. It works pretty well but I’m going to try the comet, if it works it will be cheaper.
The local COOP sells small bags of botanicals that are marketed as a rodent repellent. I bought several to put in my 38 and 53. The smell is fairly strong but not unpleasant. I can't say with certainty they are the reason but I've had no mouse issues since. It's been several years so it's likely time to replace them.
VCCA Member 43216 Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet. 1938 HB Business Coupe 1953 210 Sedan
I hesitated to post this reply several times but eventually couldn't resist. I have already slapped both wrists several times.
Irish Spring soap has a "de stink tive odor". It is surprising to recommend it as offensive to any mammalia. The claims for it to cleanly deter small furry species and not larger more sophisticated ones is not obvious. I am willing to try it, but will stick to another brand as my preference. Since the Boss is convinced that Comet at the base of the tires is the way to go the outcome is not 100% sure.
The place where I store my Monte Carlo for the winter the owner has cats and there are few rodents there. The 41 is in my home garage and I have poison there and there is rarely a mouse seen there. I have used moth balls also. I cannot say if I am just lucky to have avoided the mice of if it is the storage locations and the moth balls.
I have found that having an old car is a constant project that is never done. I think that is a good thing. Keeps me learning new things. Having two from different eras is just a form of higher education.