Animals are happy to make just about anywhere a home when it’s cold outside—including your vehicle. A critter using your car as a place to crash might seem harmless, but it is not. That’s because animals like squirrels and mice likely aren’t just sleeping in your car, they’re also chewing on wires, hoses and other important parts. Enough chewing could make your vehicle unsafe to drive.
The good news is you’re not helpless to stop this from happening. Here are a few ways to protect your car from animals—and a few tips for what to do once the damage has already been done.
Rodents’ teeth don’t stop growing; they continuously chew to prevent their teeth from getting too long or sharp, The Washington Post reports. Your vehicle’s wires are an ideal place for these pests to keep their teeth under control because they can hide easily in the engine area. It’s also warm and engine wires are small enough for rodents to get their mouths on. Since the engine compartment looks like the go-to place for rodents, the key is keeping them from wanting to hide out there in the first place.
