## How to Keep Pack Rats Out of Car Engines
Pack rats are notorious for building nests in vehicles, especially in the engine compartment. These nests can cause serious damage to your car’s engine and electrical system, and they can even be a fire hazard. If you have a pack rat problem, it’s important to take steps to keep them out of your car. Here are a few tips:
**1. Keep your car clean.** Pack rats are attracted to food and debris, so it’s important to keep your car clean both inside and out. This means vacuuming regularly, wiping down surfaces, and removing any food or trash. You should also keep your car’s engine compartment clean and free of debris.
**2. Seal up any holes or cracks.** Pack rats can enter your car through even the smallest holes or cracks. Inspect your car’s exterior carefully and seal up any openings with caulk, expanding foam, or steel wool. You should also check your car’s engine compartment for any holes or cracks and seal them up as well.
**3. Use deterrents.** There are a number of natural deterrents that you can use to keep pack rats out of your car. These include peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and cayenne pepper. You can apply these deterrents to the exterior of your car, under the hood, and even inside the engine compartment. You can also place mothballs or dryer sheets in your car to deter pack rats.
**4. Set traps.** If you have a persistent pack rat problem, you may need to set traps to catch them. There are a number of different types of traps that you can use, but live traps are the most humane. Once you have caught a pack rat, it’s important to release it far away from your home.
**5. Keep your car parked in a garage.** If possible, park your car in a garage at night. This will help to keep pack rats out of your car and prevent them from building nests in the engine compartment.
By following these tips, you can help to keep pack rats out of your car engine and prevent them from causing damage.
## Additional Tips
* Keep your car’s doors and windows closed at all times.
* Avoid leaving food or trash in your car.
* Store pet food in a sealed container.
* Keep your car’s engine compartment clean and free of debris.
* Check your car’s engine compartment regularly for signs of nesting activity.
* If you see any signs of pack rats, take steps to deter them or remove them from your car.
By following these tips, you can help to keep pack rats out of your car engine and prevent them from causing damage.
