Now, I am become Death, destroyer of mice...

[Tremelune]

I don't know how, but somehow cars catch wind of when you're selling them and act up. This time it wasn't the car's fault, but it can't just be coincidence...The day I listed my '87 coupe for sale, a varmint built a nest over the left cylinder head.

I only noticed it because of a burning smell...I assumed someone else was riding their brakes or couldn't shift properly, but after a while, I realized it had to be me...I checked frantically for any signs of smoke or fire, and the gauges were all reading good numbers...I eventually opened the decklid and boom:



The car hadn't been sitting, either—I just filled it up and checked the oil that day. How do they know?? My garage is now covered in booby-traps. I know these mice are just out to get a nut, but man...they gotta find somewhere else to do it than my garage!

Sigh...It's now headed to the shop for cleaning and some odds and ends...

[Tremelune]

Side story: The bright green you see there is from a feather my friend gave me when I bought the car (you know, in case I got pulled over)...I left it on the decklid when photographing the interior, and that mouse must have thought it was perfect. Ripped it apart and stuffed it everywhere.

[OldSpool87]

I never knew about the feather trick…anyway, I had an active occupation recently which I cured by making the garage less inviting with a combo of ultrasonic emitters, repellent sprays and some general bad mojo. I sprayed this product where I saw evidence of activity and set traps in the most inviting of places. Nothing for about three months. Now is the time to act as cold weather drives the buggers inside.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01DTBOV06/ref=pd_aw_sim_199_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=3KXCQ3ZW0GQ4RG40C523#immersive-view_1474287764325

I'm in Westchester. Brooklyn mice may require alternate means.

[911tracker85]

cats....

[Tremelune]

Oh wow, rodent spray. Interesting.

The car is located in Pawling NY. Nothing up there but the most adorable of field mice that I will kill.

[faverymi]

It's almost fall.

Critters are looking for shelter.

I'm fighting them too.

[Tremelune]

Originally Posted by 911tracker85

cats....

Then you have two problems...

[SOAZ]

Originally Posted by Tremelune

Side story: The bright green you see there is from a feather my friend gave me when I bought the car (you know, in case I got pulled over)...I left it on the decklid when photographing the interior, and that mouse must have thought it was perfect. Ripped it apart and stuffed it everywhere.

At least you can still offer a mustache ride, but best to get a new feather, stat.

[Dpmulvan]

I too am preparing for battle, I hate the dirty,filthy,vermin. I bought some of those ultrasonic emitters for my wood shop and later found a nest within 3ft of one.

[Pstallo]

I think I remember seeing your posts where you were considering selling your car, going a different route, or something. What made you finally decide to see it and are you going to pursue another car or brand of car?

And second, what does the feather have to do with the police?!?

[BK911]

I keep a couple of napkins on the floors of my cars to check for mice activity. As soon as one is chewed up I get all midieval and start with the traps.

[RSBob]

This is the best trap ever. I have caught at least a dozen in the last 8 months using a 5 gal bucket. Just smear peanut butter on the can and place the apparatus in a corner. I have one in each bay.

If you look closely, you will see last night's victim. Simple to make. Water is optional depending if you want to deal with live ones. If I was to rate these on effectiveness I would give the 4 out of 5. Supplement with conventional traps next to walls where the skitter along and your garage should be good.

If I went into mass production selling these at Lowes and Home Depot, I would make a fortune, but will leave that to some one else.

[BlueWing]

I don't have a pic of mine but I have a ramp attached to mine so it is easy for the critters to access the "pool". Also as mine sits unattended for months at a time I add water and anti freeze. This way they don't sit and rot smelling the place up.

I don't have them anywhere an acceptable animal can access the mix. If you have pets or a barn cat they will be attracted to the antifreeze.


Terry

[KTL]

Super Troopers! Fantastic stupid movie!!!

Totally can relate to your plight. Mice and other varmints used to raid my buddy's garage, which is a very nice garage & not some run down piece of crap, where his '86 911 and his wife's '95 993 were kept. Her 993 was roasting peanuts one summer and that occurrence made me investigate his car a bit closer after he passed away.

Winter Storage Tip

I agree the 5 gallon bucket trap is the best. Just gotta give them a means to get up to the edge and they can't resist the going for the food and falling in. I use the 5 gallon bucket trick for chipmunks. They're everywhere in my neighborhood and they dig like crazy, burrowing under things and destroying stuff. I fill the bucket 3/4 full with water and put sunflower seeds in the water. The chipmunks go for a swim and eventually sink to the bottom.

I caught 7 in one day, all at the same time. As in, the bucket just kept collecting them while I was away at work all day & I didn't have to dump the bucket each time one was caught, in order to catch more. They don't care that their buddies go in and can't get out. They just dive right in and join the party.

[Tremelune]

I'm fine with snapping 'em, but drowning 'em somehow seems heartless. I'm willing to pay a few bucks for snap traps. At least the lights just go out during a tasty meal...

I set out seven traps. The next day, there were six untouched traps and the seventh trap was simply gone. I might very well be dealing with an RUOS.

[Tremelune]

Pstallo, I have an '84 M491 3.6 mongrel that I'd like to make progress on. I put a mere 500 miles on the '87 last year, and that is something I cannot abide...not after the amount of chiding I've given other owners for not driving their classics. The '87 is too original for me to mess with in the way that I want, and it's a bit too clean to drive dailyish...I hope to get the '84 to a good state in its place, but without the guilt that comes with modification or the fear that comes with original paint.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0s0czlJ4xA&t=38s

[Soterik]

I put some soap in the mix of the water, that way the sides get a little more slippery. I also use a small piece of wood for a ramp for them to climb up the bucket.

I use larger snap traps for squirrels and chipmunks. We nail the trap down if we can, that way they don't run off with it into a crevice or behind a wall.

E

[gsxrken]

Originally Posted by Tremelune

I'm fine with snapping 'em, but drowning 'em somehow seems heartless. I'm willing to pay a few bucks for snap traps. At least the lights just go out during a tasty meal...
.

+1
Drowning or leaving them to starve at the bottom of the dry bucket is not good Karma. Do it quick.

[LakeCleElum]

When I stored my 73.5 all winter in a detached, unheated garage, I cut my mouse problem by 90% by simply:

Leaving the hood and trunk lid open all winter.....They didn't want to nest out in the open. Serious.

[RSBob]

Drowning is a horrible way to go even if they are disease carrying vermin. So I am going waterless and seeing if they will stay in the bucket. Then I will get my lazy cat out of the dog bed he has taken over to see if he will finish the job since he has been off garage patrol for 3 years ( he's 17 so deserves some slack).

Making them walk the plank to the bucket is a good idea. Leaving the frunk and hood open are great ideas.