Rodent infestation

[jac1976]

I have finally brought my 911 out of a long hibernation and I am hopeful that I have eradicated any living vermin that were there. Now I am moving onto a deep cleaning and assessment of the damage done. My question is in regard to the trunk carpet, which although intact and pristine in appearance, is likely the source of the overwhelming stench of mouse/rat urine. How do I go about cleaning this felt without doing it damage? Anyone with experience in this arena? Concerns about hantavirus or other? I have searched the forum and online, but would like some opinions from you guys. Thanks.

[Steve F]

To be honest, the hantavirus scares the @#$% out of me. Several people have just died from the same thing after breathing it in from Yosemite tent cabins. There may be a way to fumigate, but not sure. Goood luck

[donagain1]

Far be it from me to suggest to total strangers how their money is best spent, but were I in that predicament I believe I'd be disposed to pony up the additional bucks to replace any carpet that's been compromised, including the luggage compartment. I suppose that it's possible to launder or otherwise sanitize the thing, but once upon a time I tried to steam-iron some creases out of it and nearly melted it... must be some polyester material in the felt to help it retain its shape or something.

[jeffs9146]

I went through this with a car I bought two years ago and what a mess it was!!!

I pulled and replaced all carpet, pads, fuel tank and all cardboard parts like the heater hoses and glove box! Before I put the new stuff in I pressure washed everything in the trunks and main cabin using AWSOME from the $ store. Then blew a mixture of bleach and water through the long heater pipes to the back and under the fuel tank!

It took me two treatments to finaly get a handle on the smell!! Now everything is good!!

[Joeaksa]

Go through the engine compartment and make sure none got into the top part of the engine shroud. They tend to make a nest there and when that happens it blocks off air to the cylinders and ruins the engine... Had it happen to me years ago.

[kodioneill]

Be very careful as the one poster suggested this is a toxic situation. Make sure you wear a paint respirator and gloves and a Tyvek suit while working and dispose of everything properly.

[rsscotty]

Here is a link to further educate us all..................

Hantavirus - PubMed Health

[monovich]

The scent may very well attract the rodents in the future. We had a car that we would regularly trap mice in overnight (sometimes 2-3 per night!). Once they found their way in it seemed there was a yellow brick road paved for the rest to follow. We actually never nipped the problem in the bud, we just moved.

[tazzieman]

Originally Posted by rsscotty

Here is a link to further educate us all..................

Hantavirus - PubMed Health

No need for panic - no cases of rodent > pelican transfer reported thusfar...