Is there a way to keep rats from nesting in my engine?

[Sprinkler Fitter]

My two are rescues also. Have a couple of stray Toms come around occasionally. Mine arent too receptive of them or any other cats.

We had strays coming around when we built here in 2016 and my wife was feeding a couple of them then all of a sudden we had skunks and raccoons and possums eating the cat food also so I had her quit feeding the stray cats

 

[leebob]

I use moth balls in mesh bags, panty hose will work but the plastic mesh material is best. Put a bag or 2 where ghey do damage. Sprinkle a few under and round your tractor and they usually stay away.

 

[big bubba]

same. as mentioned in the thread, i also leave hood open.
i want to look into a solar powered light that stores energy in day & works at night. plus the led is a lot safer than incandescent to hang in the engine compartment.
any example products out there?

 

[Zork]

I tried peppermint oil but it seems unless I apply it frequently it doesn't work. I have gone to covering my engines with a clear trash bag or clear tub container and it works best. It seems the rodents like it dark, so if you have a hood it needs to stay up so light gets on the scene.

 

[jyoutz]

same. as mentioned in the thread, i also leave hood open.
i want to look into a solar powered light that stores energy in day & works at night. plus the led is a lot safer than incandescent to hang in the engine compartment.
any example products out there?

HF has lots of solar lights

 

[oosik]

I have mice and chipmunks. No four legged rats. AND - I've tried most everything. However - yesterday the service tech at the Chrysler dealership said all my wiring is, once again, 100% OK. This is on my 2018 Ram Power Wagon.

This is what has worked for over three years for me.

The engine hood on all my vehicles/equipment is always propped open. That's the tractor, lawn mower, ATV and Power Wagon. The monks and mice don't seem to like all the open space. Keep them out of your engine compartment and most likely they will stay out of the passenger compartment.

What also is an excellent solution. BARN CATS. And several of them. There is a problem with this perfect solution for me. The damn cats will venture out beyond the influence of my big yard light - at night.

They become the perfect evening snack for owls and coyotes.

I've noticed two things here in the last couple months. A dramatic reduction in mice and monks. FINALLY - all my sleuthing has paid off. Muddy cat foot prints on the vinyl seat of my ATV. I have a feral cat that is doing me a great favor.

 

[jyoutz]

I have mice and chipmunks. No four legged rats. AND - I've tried most everything. However - yesterday the service tech at the Chrysler dealership said all my wiring is, once again, 100% OK. This is on my 2018 Ram Power Wagon.

This is what has worked for over three years for me.

The engine hood on all my vehicles/equipment is always propped open. That's the tractor, lawn mower, ATV and Power Wagon. The monks and mice don't seem to like all the open space. Keep them out of your engine compartment and most likely they will stay out of the passenger compartment.

What also is an excellent solution. BARN CATS. And several of them. There is a problem with this perfect solution for me. The damn cats will venture out beyond the influence of my big yard light - at night.

They become the perfect evening snack for owls and coyotes.

I've noticed two things here in the last couple months. A dramatic reduction in mice and monks. FINALLY - all my sleuthing has paid off. Muddy cat foot prints on the vinyl seat of my ATV. I have a feral cat that is doing me a great favor.

I’ve tried barn cats for years. Yep the owls and coyotes get them.

 

[jmc]

Shedded black snake skins are common in my barn. Even found one in the trunk's engine compartment that the mice invade. I moved that truck about 100 yards away and after several days, when I opened the hood, a black snake slithered down to the ground. They must be able to find mice by smell.