I bought an old Honda motorcycle years ago that didn't run. I was gonna fix and flip since I had much success doing the same a few times before. This one kept fitting though. Had compression, spark, fuel. But still wouldn't run.
One day the bike fell over in the garage and I noticed some sunflower seeds emptied out of the baffle. 30 minutes later I had about 3 pounds of seeds on the floor from removing the muffler and beating on it with a rubber mallet.
Reinstalled the muffler and the bike ran flawlessly!
many a rodent have caused mechanical failures. Good for nothing creatures...

This leads me to ask about what, in y'all's experience, are the most effective ways to keep mice and other critters out of the garage in winter. I don't seem to have any in the garage at home, but there clearly have been rats in the other one, based on the droppings. No problems found yet with the two (project) cars I keep in that one, but I'd like to keep it that way!

I use multiple baited kill traps, deterrent spray in the shop and then quickcab bags inside the cars. Try to address their entry points to the building.

Two cats solved all my problems no mice or chipmunks on 4 acres with a 2500 square foot garage.

If you buy 3M electrical tape from any big box hardware store, then come in a plastic container.... perfect for covering this hole.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1444168364.jpg

Also a few mothballs in the areas you suspect the critters are coming from will keep them away also.... or you could get a garage cat.

Thanks for the tip on the electrical tape container. Me gots one of those!

Shakin Joe here on Pelican also suggests this PVC "test cap" from the plumbing dept.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1218602283.jpg

Don't forget dryer sheets, I place 15-20 all over my 87 Targa in the winter and no critters. They hate the smell.

Since it's winter and another forum member recently discovered a rodent on top of his engine behind the fan, I figured i'd bump up this thread.

The little bit of effort required to keep your car free of rodents during the winter is worth it!

CarBag - Protective Jackets for Storing Your Car or Motorcycle. Made in the USA.

I can attest to this product. ^

I've mentioned this before but I use unscented glue traps. I found one or two mice initially but very rare to find one these days.

A guy at a pest control place recommended unscented glue trap versus the scented or baited because you don't want to attract them.

Peppermint oil.

Learned this from a farmer.

It works. Very well

How, or where, do you apply it?

When storing or sitting for extended periods, always keep your heater levers up to help keep mice out of your heater system and cabin

The rubber plug came from the plumbing dept. at Home Depot, fits perfect and bonded on with RTV. The blank off plate was templated off of the a/c "thing" and made from some spare aluminum and painted.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1484871718.JPG
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1484871718.JPG

Behind there ears:D

Just last weekend I was changing my spark plugs and noticed debris in the back of the passenger side engine bay in a small hole above the on engine oil cooler. After digging with my fingers for 15 minutes, this is what I pulled out. Have to remove the fan to check the tops of the cylinder fins now.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1484932010.jpg

With the peppermint oil on cotton balls inside a perforated plastic container . Smells much better than mothballs !

So do most people. Those things are as bad smelling as mothballs.