How to Get a Squirrel Out of Your Car Engine
Squirrels are curious creatures that can sometimes find their way into the most unexpected places, including your car engine. If you find yourself with a squirrel in your car engine, don’t panic. There are a few things you can do to safely remove the animal and get your car back on the road.
1. Safety First
Before you do anything else, it’s important to make sure that you and the squirrel are safe. If the engine is running, turn it off immediately. Then, open the hood and take a look inside. If you see the squirrel, do not attempt to grab it with your bare hands.
Squirrels can bite and scratch, and they may be carrying diseases. If you need to handle the squirrel, use a thick towel or gloves to protect yourself.
2. Find the Squirrel’s Entry Point
Once you’re sure that you and the squirrel are safe, try to figure out how the animal got into the engine. Squirrels can squeeze through very small openings, so it’s important to check all of the possible entry points, including:
- The air intake
- The exhaust pipe
- Any openings in the firewall
- Any loose or damaged seals
3. Encourage the Squirrel to Leave
Once you’ve found the squirrel’s entry point, you can try to encourage it to leave on its own. Here are a few things you can do:
- Turn on the engine and let it idle. The noise and vibration may scare the squirrel away.
- Use a flashlight to shine into the engine. The bright light may also spook the squirrel.
- Gently tap on the outside of the engine. This may make the squirrel think that there’s danger nearby and encourage it to leave.
4. Use a Humane Trap
If you’re unable to encourage the squirrel to leave on its own, you may need to use a humane trap. Humane traps are designed to capture animals without harming them.
To use a humane trap, bait it with something that the squirrel will find appealing, such as nuts or seeds. Then, place the trap near the squirrel’s entry point and wait for it to enter.
Once the squirrel is in the trap, you can release it in a safe location away from your car.
5. Call a Wildlife Removal Service
If you’re unable to remove the squirrel yourself, you can call a wildlife removal service. Wildlife removal services have the experience and equipment to safely remove squirrels from cars and other enclosed spaces.
Prevention
Once you’ve gotten the squirrel out of your car engine, you’ll want to take steps to prevent it from happening again. Here are a few tips:
- Inspect your car regularly for any openings that squirrels could use to enter.
- Seal up any openings that you find with caulk or expanding foam.
- Keep your car clean. Food and trash can attract squirrels.
- If you see squirrels in your area, be careful not to leave your car unattended with the hood open.
Conclusion
Getting a squirrel out of your car engine can be a frustrating experience, but it’s important to remain calm and follow the steps outlined in this article. By taking the proper precautions, you can prevent squirrels from getting into your car in the future.
