We’ve all seen the reports of rodents and even reptiles creeping into cars. An 84-year-old woman once had to pay more than $400 when a rat chewed through her wires.
Mechanics at Woodie’s Auto Service in Charlotte even found a kitten in the hood of a car a few months back. How and why is this happening? We talked to the experts.
“They’re going to get into tight, cracked places, small places,” Woodie’s Auto Service Store Manager John Sienko said.
The rodents are attracted to warm, dark places and usually crawl into the engine compartment. It isn’t surprising as the Carolinas continue see cold temperatures overnight.
"We pulled an air filter once, and it was nuts down at the bottom of the air filter. So, obviously, the rodent had been in there stock piling his food,” Sienko recalled.
He said they don’t need a hole to get in, so your best bet if this keeps happening --
“Put things around the car, such as like moth balls or bait traps.”
If you don’t see them, there are other clues they could be hiding in your car -- warning lights, electrical issues, foul smells to name a few.
Remember not to leave food in your car, avoid parking near dumpsters and recycling bins and get your vehicle on a regular maintenance schedule.
“It could become a bigger problem and then you’re going to find out too late, where it could cost a major repair,” Sienko said.