Hitchcocks Forum

Tapping into the non bike knowledge, could anyone help with the following problem…..I have a very old motorcycling friend who lives out in the wilds of Hampshire and has just bought a 2 year old Land Rover Freelander….On looking under the bonnet yesterday he discovered that the top of his engine was covered in a fine light brown powder…..On removing the plastic engine cover he discovered gnawing marks on the foam insulation and also gnawing marks on the electric cables….Has anyone had this problem and if so how did you tackle it?.....Many thanks…BR Phil

Yep, well you're right in your heading - it's mice or worse still rats. Given the chance the little devils will gnaw their way through anything. For some odd reason they have a special liking for cable insulation and uphostery. The only way is to remove either them or the vehicle. Sounds like your mate has already done this. Cheers. Tony.

Mice, and prbably rats, don't like some smells, pepermint, spearmint, tabasco, predator urine (fox, cat etc.), so spray under bonnet padding etc with mint oil or one of the above....or,
What age is the Freelander..... doesn't it already have a cat fitted ?!?

Cat ?

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Thanks for the replies thus far…..P, We are going to try a good dose of WD40 to start with if that fails we will try your suggestion of peppermint oil, just hope the vermin don’t have a taste for Polo’s. The predator pee will be the last resort, Foxes poo could be added to the list but driving the car with a gas mask on would probably draw the attention of the boys in blue, relating the reason for the gas mask would probably find you sectioned…..The vehicle is fitted with a CAT which only works when the engine is running thus the vermin have gone and running at some 800 to 900°c you can see why – yes Hampshire cats are hot stuff….The owner does have 2 cats of the four legged variety but are too large to fit under the bonnet and prefer to sit at the end of the garden and wait for the mice to come to them…….Alan, you never disappoint and yes I had to look twice before the penny dropped….BR Phil

I know for a fact that mice don't much like wire wool... it hurts their little teeth and gums. It might be a drastic measure but if you covered the entire vehicle with that stuff it'd certainly look unique!

I had this problem with my wife’s car. Tried everything then found a product called REESH CAB Rodent Repellent. Manufactured by Earth-Kind Inc. here in the USA. and haven’t had any mice since.
www.earth-kind.com
[email protected]
Hope this helps,
Terry
U.S.A

You can also get a device which emits ultrasound to deter them - fits inside the engine compartment.

Many thanks with your help with this problem…..Terry, checked out the website and in the FAQ’s, they are not allowed to export the rodent repellent so if the WD40 fails then we are down to peppermint oil or Sab’s ultrasound device…..Will update if and when any of the cures has worked…..Happy Christmas to you all……BR Phil