[sumeethaldankar]

Originally Posted by sumeethaldankar

One small issue. The ones tied to the engine block started to make a lot of rattling noise since they are made of plastics and they kept reverberating against the engine cover. Back to the drawing board for the engine wires protection. Maybe a wire mesh would do?

So i made another home made spike thingy to get over the rattling issue. I had this velcro type strap at home. I inserted pins from one side. Strapped and glued the other end and sealed off the edges with heat proof insulation tape. Left it for sometime to dry. I then created holes in the strap to insert and secure the cable tie and attached them to the wires in my Verna. Below are some pics of same. The rattling sound has reduced as there is no plastic touching the engine cover.

[blackwasp]

BHPian reddy6980 shares his way for rat proofing his Abarth.









Total cost ~ Rs. 2500 which includes 1800 for 38 ft sheet and another 500 bucks for Omni door beading (8+4 meters) to cover the top edges. The beading will be put on later. He also plans to replace the threads with proper ropes and hiking hooks.

He also adds:

3M repellent worked for few months. I did it in July and it was good till last month, but can't be spending 1100 every now and then and it is still not 100% rat proof.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by blackwasp

BHPian reddy6980 shares his way for rat proofing his Abarth.

Now that is well & truly Z level security from rats . How much time does it take him to remove it / put it back?

[Gansan]

^^ That looks simple and impressive. Please share details of cost and where to fabricate it, and how it is stored when not in use.

Periodically I had the mice chewing the turn indicator wires, and was keeping chewing tobacco inside the engine bay. Now the wires are not touched, but for some time I have been observing signs of mice activity inside the car. Small pieces of felt like substance on front the floor mat under the dash, a few droppings. This morning I noticed some wet marks which I presumed to be urine and it freaked me out. Had to wash the mats and clean the seats with Dettol. For the time being I have moved the car to a different area and will watch what happens tomorrow.

MSM guys are offering 3M rodent spray which costs about Rs 900, but they say it will last only for six months and even then is not 100% guaranteed.

[reddy6980]

Originally Posted by Gansan

^^ That looks simple and impressive. Please share details of cost and where to fabricate it, and how it is stored when not in use.

MSM guys are offering 3M rodent spray which costs about Rs 900, but they say it will last only for six months and even then is not 100% guaranteed.

Cost of GA sheet is 20-25/sq.ft. 2ft height * 38ft length. It costed 1800 for me.
I have ordered U-Seal rubber strip to cover the top edges, for safety from kids.

Originally Posted by GTO

Now that is well & truly Z level security from rats . How much time does it take him to remove it / put it back?

It takes 2-3 Minute tops to roll / unroll (of course, using safety gloves).

Will share pics after final setup.

[GTO]

Looks like someone implemented the fencing suggestions from the opening post.

Thanks to Siva Shankar for sending these pictures in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing them with other enthusiasts via this Team-BHP page!

[Nimalan]

Hey guys, I am the one who did the above fencing. Though it is costlier, I had no other option. Didn't employ the tar brushes because the passage is narrow and poses a safety hazard.

+It can be handled by a single person and not heavy.
+Very sturdy. Doesn't make sounds due to winds.
+Might require repainting for the frames alone from time to time.
+One time expense.
+Sure protection against rats (even dogs I guess).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7yGbF7oInU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ownGx5jFUpc

[GTO]

Mod Note: 2 videos added to Nimalan's post above. Thanks to him for sharing!

[Thad E Ginathom]

Excellent.

The videos, as well as showing off the convenience, also highlight the quality design and construction. It is a really nice setup

[Gansan]

That is really very well made. I like it very much. But storage when not in use, will be a problem in apartment parking lots. It will work fine for independent homes.

[Gansan]

I now simply park the car in a different spot, and the problem has disappeared for now. We also periodically place Mortein rat kill cakes at many vantage points inside the complex during night time. If any piece disappears in the morning, it will be replaced in the same spot the next night, till the cake is not taken any more.

A friend told me if the spot of parking can't be changed, changing at least the direction of parking from time to time will help. If the usual parking is north-south, park east-west. If the car normally faces a wall, park facing away from the wall.

[sumeethaldankar]

My car is protected by homemade spikes which do a good job of protecting the wires of the car by pricking and piercing the soft under side of the creepy crawlies. However this week my car was once again broken into by those four legged hairy thugs who manage to damage the windshield wiper water reservoir cap. The poor and defenseless thing was nibbled and had its face bitten off by those monsters.






I decided to then make another homemade spike thing which I then decided to do a crude DIY so others can make one at their home if needed. Also note I also use the Autoshine rat repellent spray however both these defense were not applied or placed near the windshield reservoir cap.
Below are the step to create your own spike thingy.

You need to buy a 2-3 pieces of these called "Moti Tachni" or pearl needles from your local general store. They are like pearl headed pins and can be had for 10-15 Rs a piece.


Remove all the pins from the plastic holder.


Cut the piece into half.


Drill a hole to insert the cable tie to attach to the car.


Insert the pins with the tip facing the outside.


Apply glue to the base to hold the pins in place and allow it to dry for a few mins.


Apply insulation tape to further fortify the needles in place.


Your home made spike is ready.


To secure use a cable tie or zip tie and attach it near to the area which was vandalized by the rats with the needle tips sticking out in such a way that it gets to prick the rats juicy and soft underbelly.





Some other locations where I have installed the spikes in my new Swift.









Make sure to pop under the hood every 10-15 days to make sure the spikes are in position and its cables not in danger of breaking off.



EDIT: Please check the linked post for an update: The prickly spikes from the car have been removed fearing safety issues related to overheat etc? (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modif...ml#post5694569 (Rat-proof Fencing as a solution for the rodent menace?))

[stanjohn123]

Originally Posted by GTO

After seeing the success of my rat-repelling borders, a close friend got the same for his Compass.

I just read that Rats can jump upto 3 feet in the air from a flat surface and 4 feet horizontally. This means rats can easily jump across these wire brush traps. So are these traps useless too then ?

[GTO]

Originally Posted by stanjohn123

I just read that Rats can jump upto 3 feet in the air from a flat surface and 4 feet horizontally.

Yep, the little rascals even made it to my terrace until I installed the "inverted cones" on all the building pipes. For 5 years now, my car has been safe in what is a rat-infested area, despite the car moving from its spot just twice a week. I don't know which of the following is working, but am unwilling to remove any of them:

- Tar brush border
- Autoguard repellent spray
- Varna Suraksha repellent device

[stanjohn123]

Originally Posted by blackwasp

BHPian reddy6980 shares his way for rat proofing his Abarth.

Total cost ~ Rs. 2500 which includes 1800 for 38 ft sheet and another 500 bucks for Omni door beading (8+4 meters) to cover the top edges. The beading will be put on later. He also plans to replace the threads with proper ropes and hiking hooks.

He also adds:

I used this same technique but it's not as tightly packed with my vehicle. There are still gaps where the rats can jump and enter it. I will have to place it more tightly to avoid these gaps.

It's more difficult to assemble and disassemble as its a 2 person operation and the sheets weigh around 23 kilos.

https://youtu.be/5pAhbRm9MiA

Originally Posted by GTO

- Tar brush border
- Autoguard repellent spray
- Varna Suraksha repellent device

How long do the repellent spray last ? At 2000 Rs it is pretty expensive.