Chipmunks and Oil

[YodaBird]

Is it ok to spray cooking oil mixed with cayenne pepper to avert chipmunks from entering the hood of your car, will this cause any issues because oil is mixed in ?

[CTScott]

The oil will burn if it gets on any hot surfaces and will attract dirt and become kind of a sticky mess. Other than that it wouldn't hurt anything.

[YodaBird]

That's what I thought as well, is there anything else that is safe for inside of cars then oil you know of ?

[bronsin]

Large mouse (rat) traps baited with peanut butter.:evil:

[Kalispel]

Mothballs suspended within a mesh bag in the engine bay works to keep the critters away, but they dry up and disintegrate rather fast in that type hot open air environment. :(

[YodaBird]

As far as I know, it's one chipmunk, I saw the guy twice today around my car, he's white and orange, that is all the description I can tell you :) I told a co-worker today, he laughed his head off, as I've been though four cabin filters.

I put mothballs in my glovebox, the engine bay is, as you said, rather useless !

[Kalispel]

I've heard that urine (either yours or another predator-mammal) also keeps little critters away from the engine bay area and such, so perhaps it's time to "mark your territory". ^_^

[YodaBird]

I had a cat spraying my car last year, no damage to the filter, because no chipmunks were coming, the cat is not spraying our car for months, maybe he's moved on, the love is gone and so is the smell, that is when the chipmunk moved in, bastard !

[ern-diz]

Too funny. What does it do in there?

[YodaBird]

He takes the stuff on the filter and drags it out of the car, we seen some on the wheel, I guess for his nest. Our car is home depot for chipmunks.

[ern-diz]

He takes the stuff on the filter and drags it out of the car, we seen some on the wheel, I guess for his nest. Our car is home depot for chipmunks.

:laugh:

[nortonfb]

I heard peppermint oil is good for small critters, like mice.
If it doesn't work at least the car will smell nice.
Norton

[CTScott]

Time to introduce bobcats into your neighborhood. I used to have big problems with chipmunks tunneling under our front steps. Then, a family of bobcats moved into our neighborhood and within a month there was no sign of chipmunks. Now, even the squirrel population is seriously declining to the point where I haven't had a single bird feeder damaged the entire winter.

[YodaBird]

I don't think I can get bobcats into the neighborhood, when I live beside a child day care :)

[bronsin]

I don't think I can get bobcats into the neighborhood, when I live beside a child day care :)

Rat traps and peanut butter will do the same thing!

[YodaBird]

The chipmunk striked again within a month I've spent nearly $80 on filters. Today I turned on the car, and saw the chipmunk jet out of the car like lighting. My car had a smell and I knew the damn bastard, and I was right ripped the filter apart. I have a solution it requires some metal, although is there any extremely cheap alternative to regular filters I can use, my only solution is a think foam similar to that you find in couches, would this cause any issues, until I can find a solution that works I'm not spending money on a filter. The chipmunk is making the bottom of the cabin filter as bed and sleeping in there.

[IllusionX]

Wait, you are going through CABIN filters?

The little guy shouldn't even have access to that place, as the only access is under the wiper arms, which is covered.

Anyways, you could always slide a metal mesh on top of your cabin filter if all fails.

[CTScott]

Wait, you are going through CABIN filters?

The little guy shouldn't even have access to that place, as the only access is under the wiper arms, which is covered.

Anyways, you could always slide a metal mesh on top of your cabin filter if all fails.

The plastic piece that feeds the air into the car has two holes that are big enough for mice or chipmunks to slip though. If you remove the wiper cowl you can get at the piece. On any cars that I park outside I glue a piece of aluminum screen mesh over those two holes to prevent critter intrusion into the cabin.

[YodaBird]

The chipmunk is getting though the top of the hood though where the wipers are located, is that what you're telling me ?

I have a piece of grid metal I was going to lay on top of the filter ?

If you search online they recommend to use Bounce dryer sheets, I tried that it doesn't work !

If you look though the cabin filter from inside the car, there is a hole on the cabin filter part that is there due to the manufacturer. The chipmunk is drilling it's way though the filter, tearing it apart, literally going to the base of the filter due to the fact the fans are on the parameter and sleeping inside.

I have removed the cabin filter, I don't have a cabin filter, I can't drive in rain or snow.

[CTScott]

The chipmunk is getting though the top of the hood though where the wipers are located, is that what you're telling me ?

I have a piece of grid metal I was going to lay on top of the filter ?

If you search online they recommend to use Bounce dryer sheets, I tried that it doesn't work !

If you look though the cabin filter from inside the car, there is a hole on the cabin filter part that is there due to the manufacturer. The chipmunk is drilling it's way though the filter, tearing it apart, literally going to the base of the filter due to the fact the fans are on the parameter and sleeping inside.

I have removed the cabin filter, I don't have a cabin filter, I can't drive in rain or snow.

When you remove the wiper tray and cowl, this is the intake for the fresh air. It looks like it seal nicely to the cowl to prevent intrusion and it does on the top side.

55217


Here's the problem though. When you remove the plastic piece there are some holes that allow water to drain. They are large enough the let critters crawl right it.

55215


And, here's my solution:
55216

[YodaBird]

All cars are the same in this aspect ? The images you posted don't look like a 2012-2013 Yaris ?

What about laying a steel mesh on-top of the filter when putting in the filter ?

Can you turn on A/C or Heat without a filter, can you use a substitute temporarily ?

Last but not least, who would I get to do this; I don't know how to take apart a car as you do, and how much may someone charge for this, eeks !

[CTScott]

All cars are the same in this aspect ? The images you posted don't look like a 2012-2013 Yaris ?

What about laying a steel mesh on-top of the filter when putting in the filter ?

Can you turn on A/C or Heat without a filter, can you use a substitute temporarily ?

Last but not least, who would I get to do this; I don't know how to take apart a car as you do, and how much may someone charge for this, eeks !

My pictures are of a 2nd gen, but the 3rd gen is very similar. I also had the same issue with my Tacoma, which I parked outside and suddenly realized that mice were living above the cabin air filter, when I pulled it and a coffee can full of chewed hickory nuts came pouring out. The fix for it was very similar. A piece of screen mesh on top of the cabin filter would definitely work for now, but blocking it before entry should eventually be your target.

[YodaBird]

I checked the cabin filter it appears as though the metal mesh is working, although it does look like one of two things, either the squirrel / chipmunk is getting it's torn cabin filter from another car parked near our car, or this seems almost impossible unless he's doing a balancing act, he is pulling whatever he can get his hands on of left over filter I didn't clean out beneath the metal mesh and putting it on top of the metal mesh as I found a small wad of filter on top of the metal mesh.

I say it's almost impossible because the metal mesh is near perfect size to the size of the area for the cabin filter, if anything there is a few millimeter space, and the metal is sorta sharp.

I have to get some foam for now on top of the metal mesh because the mesh does bend slightly.

If the rodent is literally ripping another cars cabin filter apart and coming to our car with some cabin filter, that is priceless.

My pictures are of a 2nd gen, but the 3rd gen is very similar. I also had the same issue with my Tacoma, which I parked outside and suddenly realized that mice were living above the cabin air filter, when I pulled it and a coffee can full of chewed hickory nuts came pouring out. The fix for it was very similar. A piece of screen mesh on top of the cabin filter would definitely work for now, but blocking it before entry should eventually be your target.

[nookandcrannycar]

suddenly realized that mice were living above the cabin air filter, when I pulled it and a coffee can full of chewed hickory nuts came pouring out.

:laugh: I'm sorry this happened to you, but the image (and your expression of that image) is quite humorous.

[nookandcrannycar]

I checked the cabin filter it appears as though the metal mesh is working, although it does look like one of two things, either the squirrel / chipmunk is getting it's torn cabin filter from another car parked near our car, or this seems almost impossible unless he's doing a balancing act, he is pulling whatever he can get his hands on of left over filter I didn't clean out beneath the metal mesh and putting it on top of the metal mesh as I found a small wad of filter on top of the metal mesh.

I say it's almost impossible because the metal mesh is near perfect size to the size of the area for the cabin filter, if anything there is a few millimeter space, and the metal is sorta sharp.

I have to get some foam for now on top of the metal mesh because the mesh does bend slightly.

If the rodent is literally ripping another cars cabin filter apart and coming to our car with some cabin filter, that is priceless.

:laugh: 'cabin air filter breath'. Made me think of Johnny Carson and his sidekick Ed.

[Ben_]

This is the best thread ever lol

[canadian deacon]

We occasionally have problems with squirrels here. Then around July an owl takes up residence in the treed lot beside my house and the problem goes away.

I had an osprey pick one out of the yard one day while I was working on the car. Scared the crap out of me and the squirrel.

[ern-diz]

:laugh: I'm sorry this happened to you, but the image (and your expression of that image) is quite humorous.

:laughabove:

Critters!

[nookandcrannycar]

:laughabove:

Critters!

:laugh:....and varmints....There is an old post of mine on some thread where I quote one of the hosts of a local Houston car talk radio show talking about varmints nestling in different areas of vehicles....A mix of the knowledge/experience he obviously possesses and his unique local way of expressing himself....truly a hoot!

[nookandcrannycar]

I don't have a cabin filter, I can't drive in rain

:confused: I had my 07 Yaris for years before I knew (via a thread here) that I didn't have a cabin air filter. I know others have been in that same boat, so to speak. Perhaps none of the others drove in the rain while missing a cabin air filter, but I did and it didn't make any difference that I noticed.

[nookandcrannycar]

We occasionally have problems with squirrels here. Then around July an owl takes up residence in the treed lot beside my house and the problem goes away.

I had an osprey pick one out of the yard one day while I was working on the car. Scared the crap out of me and the squirrel.

One thing about Texas being a low service state (although types of critters might influence this as well)...dead 'wildlife' seems to stay splattered on the road longer than in California. No biggie....lower taxes = more important (to me).

[Hershey]

We've had these problems with a FIT and a Yaris sedan we had . I'll buy a large metal container of black pepper and shake it on the pavement where the car is parked . Will back car up and give the area a good dose of ground pepper and put car back . Seems to do the trick . Will do this on occasion as a deterrent . Also use cut up pieces of Febreeze scented cards in the cabin air filter and the glove box . The card comes from a Febreeze vacuum bag after it's full .

[YodaBird]

I checked the metal grid that is placed where I currently have no filter, surprisingly no change since the last time I checked, no excess of a destroyed cabin filter ontop of the metal grid; lets see when I check next time.

I'm not buying a cabin filter until I do a test with some foam to see if the chipmunk \ squirrel tries to destroy parts of it, hopefully not, then I can buy a filter again. I'll keep posted, hopefully this solution works, I hope, it wasn't my idea, it was my moms ! :)

[YodaBird]

Update: I checked inside the car today, after the car sat for two days, and there was, what looked like an interior of a car, inside of my car (I will post a picture soon). This little bastard has found another way inside the car.

I checked the best I could under the car, inside the car, and from my inspection, everything appears fine, so far.

I keep the two back seats folded down, when I lifted them up, I can't say how long it has been there because I haven't lifted the seats up all winter, but there was squirrel,chipmunk dropping on the seat. The interior piece I found today, wasn't there two days ago, it looked new, in good condition I was with a partner and they said, it looks very much like he ripped it from my car, I couldn't find any trace of it, it is a fair size piece, it doesn't look as if he used it, instead it was laying on the passenger seat.

My biggest fear is he rips the interior of the backseat, costing me to fix the interior, I've decided that some how, some way, and love animals, unfortunately I must kill him, he could cost me too much money, if not now, soon.

The only problem is; how to kill him, he appears very smart, but we all can agree, he is getting inside though an entry point, what is strong that would wipe him out, within a matter of hours ? There isn't any cats around so no stray animal would die in the process, unless another squirrel comes around. When checking the car, I saw him, same squirrel running across the wooden fence directly beside the car, that is the bastard I have to take out, he officially has made my car his home.

Two questions;

1. What would kill him ? He probably runs on the near by fence so if I can kill him there, the problem is any spray would penetrate the wood, I'm thinking squirrel traps ?
2. What other access is he getting in if he can't get in though the glove box, or is he bending his body some how around the glove box to get inside the car ?

[WeeYari]

Damn thing is jimmying the locks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NYC-SE]

I see a Caddyshack sequel in the making.

[nortonfb]

Mouse trap inside the car with peanut butter.

[mrpj]

For a squirrel I would suggest a rat trap would be more suitable than a mousetrap. After all, they are bushy tailed rats anyway.
What to use as bait? I haven't a clue.
However, the clever little b'tard could well be wise to traps?!

[YodaBird]

I'm currently under going a serious of experiments, it's a red squirrel, not a chipmunk, they are notorious for making homes out a cars, they are smaller then your typical black squirrel.

I know some part of my car, roughly 6" padding and some extra pieces were ripped out.

[ern-diz]

This is the greatest thread ever!

[nookandcrannycar]

I see a Caddyshack sequel in the making.

:laugh:

[YodaBird]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/staticarchive/c8825c317c87c20f411a8b20019a60295c37b17c.jpg

This is my enemy. There smart, and causing me grief, it needs to find a new home, in another car or a house, wherever.

[WeeYari]

Get a small live trap and put it in your car.

http://animalevictions.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/Red_squirrel_in_cage_2.195165607.jpg

[YodaBird]

Where do you find small live traps ?

[WeeYari]

it's on sale this week

www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/havahart-rodent-live-trap-16-x-6-x-6-in-0754401p.html#.VS6yv46LVcwc

[YodaBird]

Red Squirrels are smart, and don't just go into cages that easily, I have another idea. Who would have thought this was war with a squirrel. Turns out from all I can remember, this has been going on for about a year.

[WeeYari]

Red Squirrels are smart, and don't just go into cages that easily,


I know they are smart, but I also have seen great success in trapping large numbers of them with such traps.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[YodaBird]

Has anyone taken apart a 3rd generation Yaris ?

The squirrel did not attack my car for roughly 2.5 weeks only because I've been putting moth balls and rags of apple cider vinegar in my car, literally a :30 minute Job when parking the car.

I decided for a few days not to put any apple cider vinegar or moth balls, the temperature dropped recently and with that the squirrel got into my car. I have pieces from weeks ago, I think it is behind the steering wheel the padding of the interior of the car. I want to know where the squirrel is going and what he is destroying, I can supply pictures.

A mechanic told me, you have two choices, you kill it; or you move. I have to plans to move, probably not this year.

[nookandcrannycar]

Has anyone taken apart a 3rd generation Yaris ?

Jason@SportsCar ? (a 2015 Yaris....to prep for racing)

[DebbyM46227]

http://www.amazon.com/Havahart-1025-Two-Door-Squirrel-Chipmunk/dp/B000BQQMJQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1432308526&sr=8-3&keywords=squirrel+trap

Then take the trapped squirrel(s) on a long drive way out in the country and let them go.

[YodaBird]

I need to know what it looks like behind the front dashboard in the 3rd generation yaris to know where he is ripping the foam padding liner. I have over a foot of this stuff ripped out :(

I know a cage may work, there is not much to lure them in, except peanut butter, he could go as far as ripping my car seats etc from what I was informed. I'll have a destroyed car from a $#%Q#% squirrel, costing me thousands to repair.

[WeeYari]

http://www.amazon.com/Havahart-1025-Two-Door-Squirrel-Chipmunk/dp/B000BQQMJQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1432308526&sr=8-3&keywords=squirrel+trap

Then take the trapped squirrel(s) on a long drive way out in the country and let them go.

He's already dismissed that idea. In the meantime, his car continues to be ravaged. :iono: