How to Keep Squirrels Away from Car Engine

Introduction

Squirrels are curious and playful creatures, but they can also be a nuisance when they get into your car engine. Squirrels can chew on wires, hoses, and other components, which can cause serious damage. In some cases, squirrels can even start a fire in your car engine.

There are a number of things you can do to keep squirrels away from your car engine. Some of these methods are more effective than others, but all of them are worth trying if you’re having problems with squirrels.

Prevention

The best way to keep squirrels away from your car engine is to prevent them from getting into it in the first place. Here are a few tips:

* **Park your car in a garage or covered area.** This is the most effective way to keep squirrels out of your car engine. If you don’t have a garage, park your car under a tree or in a shaded area.
* **Close all windows and doors.** Squirrels can’t get into your car engine if they can’t get inside the car.
* **Seal any holes or cracks in your car.** Squirrels can squeeze through very small openings, so it’s important to seal up any holes or cracks in your car’s exterior.
* **Remove any food sources from your car.** Squirrels are attracted to food, so if you leave food in your car, you’re more likely to attract squirrels.

Deterrents

If you’ve already had problems with squirrels getting into your car engine, you can try using deterrents to keep them away. Here are a few ideas:

* **Mothballs.** Squirrels hate the smell of mothballs, so you can place mothballs in your car engine to deter them. Be sure to keep mothballs out of reach of children and pets.
* **Cayenne pepper.** Cayenne pepper is another effective squirrel deterrent. You can sprinkle cayenne pepper around the perimeter of your car engine.
* **Ammonia.** Squirrels also dislike the smell of ammonia. You can soak a rag in ammonia and place it in your car engine.
* **Ultrasonic devices.** Ultrasonic devices emit high-pitched sounds that are inaudible to humans but that can deter squirrels. You can purchase ultrasonic devices at most home improvement stores.

Trapping and Removal

If all else fails, you can try trapping and removing squirrels from your car engine. Here are a few tips:

* **Use a live trap.** Live traps are humane traps that allow you to catch squirrels without harming them. You can purchase live traps at most hardware stores.
* **Bait the trap with food.** Squirrels are attracted to food, so you can use food to bait the trap.
* **Place the trap in a safe location.** Once you’ve baited the trap, place it in a safe location away from children and pets.
* **Check the trap regularly.** Check the trap regularly to see if you’ve caught a squirrel. If you have, release the squirrel at least 1 mile away from your home.

Conclusion

Squirrels can be a nuisance, but there are a number of things you can do to keep them away from your car engine. By following the tips in this article, you can help protect your car from damage and keep squirrels out of your engine.