MICE invaded our pickup!

[jymbee]

Our 2012 GMC diesel has been taken over by mice. The little %!#$@* have found entry points and built nests all under the seats, in the dash and air ducts. The truck only gets occasional use these days and unfortunately they had made quite a bit of progress before they were discovered.

I set traps all over the inside-- most of which caught a mouse the first few days. The kill tally tapered off over time but I'd say over two dozen in all were disposed of.

Now of course the smell from their mess is pretty overpowering-- especially when getting in on a hot day when the windows have been closed. Their nesting crap comes out of the air ducts when running and all in all just a frustrating situation.

Local mechanics & auto body shops have suggested everything from blowing out the air ducts to completely disassembling the dash, taking out the seats etc. to get at the source.

Wondering how others might have dealt with a similar situation?? Also sure not exactly sure how they're getting in and what I can do to keep them from returnng?

 

[nybirdman]

I had the same problem with a previous truck(not as bad as yours).The little buggers climbing up the fresh air intake and destroyed a new air cleaner.The intake is low so I put a fine mesh(1/4" hardware cloth) screen over it and that cured that problem.

 

[ttriff]

They did $2K worth of damage to the wiring to our Highlander Hybrid. A common problem with cars having soy based wiring insulation.

Now we keep a sock filled with mothballs in the engine compartment of all our vehicles and no more problems.

Fabreze makes little clip-ons that attach to the A/C/Heat vent outlets, those go a long way toward minimizing the smell after a mouse infestation

 

[aeblank]

I had my 1995 Chevy parked outside for a while, and they got into it (though not that bad).
I took it to a detail shop and $170 later I don't feel dirty after using it.

I'd have the detail shop vacuum or blow out the vents as best they can, then do the cleaning. I'm sure you could take the cabin air filter out (replace it) and pile a layer or two of dryer sheets or soak with febreeze or similar to help the odor. Once it dries out in there, it shouldn't smell anymore. Hopefully whatever "bad" that's in the air is also gone.

 

[Ken45101]

I had them get into the fuse box under the hood of our C3500. Mouse urine corroded the connections....

We have had multiple instance of them getting into the heater fan on our Jeep Grand Cherokee and getting chopped up, Bad smell. Dealer put some deodorant/air freshener in the system. It helped somewhat but just takes time. You would think they would screen the system.