Rats in Cars

Most people do not consider their automobile to be a potential nesting location for rats. It seems to be a growing problem. Rats caused a sedan fire in Manhattan. College students in Florida have had their cars destroyed by rats. There were even class action lawsuits against automakers like Honda and Toyota claiming eco-friendlier soy-based electrical wiring attracts rats.

Rats can get into many parts of the car, including the engine bay, the wheel wells, the interior, and the air filter. They may also try to get inside the car by crawling through small openings around windows, doors, and the trunk.Most people assume only long-term parked vehicles are at risk. Even cars that are “daily drivers” are at risk. All these photos are of daily drivers.
frayed engine wires from rats

Rats Under the Hood

Engine compartments provide ideal habitat for rats to avoid predators. Additionally, these areas are ideal shelters from temperature and precipitation. While inside the car engine, rats will gnaw to keep their teeth filed down. Rats will gnaw on wires, hoses, air conditioning. Wiring harnesses can cost thousands of dollars to replace.

In the car’s interior, rats will damage insulation, upholstery, and seat covers. Their droppings and urine will create an unpleasant smell in your car and potentially spread diseases like hantavirus.







Rodent Damage to Cars

Rats can cause significant damage to cars by chewing wires and other components, which can lead to loss of power or even a fire. They may also damage insulation, upholstery, or seat covers, and their droppings and urine can create an unpleasant smell in the car.

Once the rats are gone, you need to fix the damage done. Remove any nesting materials. Clean up the droppings and sanitize the area.  

How to Get Rid of Rats from the Car

It might be tempting to try a DIY rodent control problem. We have found deterrents like peppermint oil are not very effective. Rat traps are the best way to get rid of rat infestation. Some claim keeping the car hood open and shining a light into the vehicle’s engine will stop rats. Rats do prefer dark places.

Snap traps are the most effective means of rat control for your car.

Recurring Rodent Control

Once we remove rodents from a home and perform a full seal, we recommend a Perimeter Rodent Population Control Program. Once the house has become inaccessible, automobiles left outside are the next closest hanging fruit for these animals to seek shelter. 

Perimeter Rodent Population Control Program uses bait stations to mitigate re-entry to the structure we just sealed and protected. Additionally, it is the only viable way to offer some degree of protection to our automobiles left outside. 
 

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Best Bat Removal

Anett B.
5/8/2023
Brandon was out to please and make out lives easier with out bat situation. Above and beyond of the call of duty and got the job done. Thank you!
Celia G
3/9/2023
Bat removal. Very knowledgeable and dedicated.
Emily G.
9/1/2022
BAT POOP CLEAN-UP AND PREVENTION! Bat guano removed from gables. No bats found in attic, so put new screens on all gable vents, as one screen was close to breaking and then bats may have gotten in! Great work in Tulsa!
Jerry M.
10/14/2021
Squirrels and chipmunks were in our attic. So we called Critter Control to do an inspection. Their representative climbed all over our very steep roof and found several places where squirrels had entered our attic.

Upon inspection of the attic, evidence of bats was also found. The Critter Control team came on time to completely caulk the entire perimeter of the house and create an exit strategy for the squirrels and bats.

Because bat droppings can cause histoplasmosis, this also required total removal and replacement of our attic insulation and sanitizing the space. Not a small job in a 1,300 sq. ft. attic! While Critter Control’s cost was high, our homeowners insurance covered most of it. Everyone representing Critter Control was professional, courteous and timely. I would highly recommend them to anyone who thinks they might have unwelcome guests living in their attic
Vincent S.
10/30/2020
On recommendations from a nearby pest control company, I called Critter Control for suspicious bat droppings.

Madison came out the same day to do an inspection. She was knowledgeable, thorough, and highly professional. She examined the ‘matter’ that had been scattered on my threshold and thought it was foliage. But she then asked to go up to my attic space where the bats could be roosting. She had to walk up 3 flights of stairs with a heavy ladder. She again spent some time searching all the nooks and crannies and found nothing.

She seemed so interested in her craft, it was truly inspiring to see! She reassured me and is writing up a prevention strategy for my appraisal. She charged me NOTHING!! I am so impressed. We need more Madisons in this world!

Service: Bat Removal
Sonia-Maria R.
9/3/2020
We noticed droppings on our brand new deck - we were given their number from our contractor. They came the next day. Brian looked at it and said - yeah, bats!! He then checked every area in our attic and he explained exactly what needed to be done.

He found evidence of a mice infestation, provided a referral and they are helping us as well. Great service, very informative, very professional! We are very satisfied and would recommend them to anyone who has any issues with any critters!

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