Rodents are no new issue to Pittsburgh residents. We all know the extensive damage they can cause to our homes in a short amount of time, but the problems don’t stop there. Over the past decade, rodents have caused countless dollars in damage to vehicles. Some would argue this is mostly to blame due to automakers using soy or even cannabis-based products to insulate wiring in an effort to go green. This makes our vehicles a feasting ground for rodents that looks too tempting to resist. Rodents have big yellow front incisors that never stop growing. This is where their constant need to chew derives from. They are not biased and will chew on just about anything to satisfy that need. Our vehicles are no exception. When it comes to getting coverage for rodent damage, most home insurance policies won’t cover rodent damage to the home, let alone your vehicle. The only loophole for insurance coverage to help with the damage caused to your vehicle by a rodent may be in your comprehensive coverage, if you opted for it. Check with your insurance company to see if they offer this type of coverage. Fortunately there are ways for you to protect your car from rodent damage. Stewart Termite & Pest Control is here with some of the details about the damages people find in their vehicles, and what steps you can take to protect your vehicles for the future.
Damage Done to Cars By Rodents
The most obvious damage rodents cause to vehicles are chewed insulation around wiring. Under our hoods is a maze of wiring. This is a pricey fix as people won’t always notice right away that damage has been done. By the time they find out, it’s too late. Rodents are always looking for a cozy place to build their nests. There have been pounds of dog food and nesting materials pulled out of engine intakes and air conditioning components. Rodents won’t stop under the hood if given the chance. The seats inside the cab are the perfect nesting ground for rodents to set up shop too.
How to Protect Car from Rats
People who have experienced the tragedy of having a rodent run through their vehicle know the devastation they can cause. There have been some pretty wild tactics used to keep rodents at bay. Here are some helpful tips that are tried and true to keep rodents out of your vehicle.
-Use rodent deterrent tape or wire mesh to cover all wiring insulation. This tape has been treated with super-spicy capsaicin to repel rodents by leaving them with a burning mouth should they choose to give it a go.
-Apply wire mesh around engine intakes and air conditioning components to cut off access points for rodents to enter.
-Apply wire mesh to rubber hoses to protect them from being chewed through.
-Seal off any entry points to your garage that a rodent may gain access through. Rats can squeeze through holes the size of a quarter, while mice only need hold the diameter of a dime. They have the ability to flatten their bodies to get through even the trickiest of spaces. Work in collaboration with your local pest control company to pest proof your home.
-Don’t leave your car parked next to open fields, bushes or trees where rodents may reside.
Rodent Control
We offer full service pest and rodent control solutions. If you have a rodent problem in your home or with your vehicle, call our offices to schedule an in home rodent inspection today.