Rat damage to cars | Protection, solutions & advice

zaks · 6th February 2010, 14:09

Why not try the new product Rat-O-matic which if kept on in the car keeps the rats away. It uses two AA batteries which last for a month.

VTEC_Rocks · 8th February 2010, 16:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaks

Why not try the new product Rat-O-matic which if kept on in the car keeps the rats away. It uses two AA batteries which last for a month.

What exactly is a Rat-O-Matic? How does it work? Can you please post some pictures.

tsk1979 · 8th February 2010, 16:47

As mentioned earlier. Ultra sonic devices do not work for long in general, and in a car like environment(unless you place 4-5 of those in difference places), they do not work at all!

planet_rocker · 8th February 2010, 17:02

My observations:

1. Rat Kill - not that effective if the rat doesn't like it

. Never keep in a hot engine bay - it melts due to wax content and will cause small heart attack if you love your car.

2. Tobacco Leaves - not effective after a certain period - hot engine will kill the odour after sometime.

3. Tanveer's suggestion / Rat Trap - not usefull if you have a small car with low gc and small engine bay. keep it trap near the tyres (front).

4. High(/Low??) Frequency beepers - No idea

5. Red / Black HIT - spray away from electrical parts / radiator / intake hoses. I have tried this as well

keep a close watch near the radiator - it stays warm for a long time
check the space behind the front wheel well plastic guard.

tsk1979 · 8th February 2010, 17:07

I keep the rat trap inside the car. And it worked in both the indica and safari. Make sure you use the metal wire mesh trap. Wooden traditional traps have narrow opening, and make rat wary. But all side airy metal traps work better, as the opening is wider and bigger rats can also come in.

n.devdath · 8th February 2010, 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

I keep the rat trap inside the car. And it worked in both the indica and safari. Make sure you use the metal wire mesh trap. Wooden traditional traps have narrow opening, and make rat wary. But all side airy metal traps work better, as the opening is wider and bigger rats can also come in.

But I guess it is effective if it is only one rat tormenting your car. What if the area is rat prone?
You d probably catch a rat or two everyday and other rats could still damage it.

tsk1979 · 8th February 2010, 17:34

If the area is rat prone, then poisoning them is the only solution, other than that you could seal the cabin.
However, if you catch 4-5 rats and kill them all, it goes a long way in fixing them.
As for repellants, I have heard that mint repels rats, don't know whether it will really work. Try storing some pudina in engine bay and see if it works?

KSM-Vtec · 8th February 2010, 17:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by planet_rocker

My observations: 2. Tobacco Leaves - not effective after a certain period - hot engine will kill the odour after sometime.

I have this rat problem only during the rains and if you put 4-5 packs at one go they last for the 3-4 months of rain, which i think is long enough.

nura · 10th February 2010, 20:51

Hi! My 3.5 month-old Ford Fiesta, which has clocked only 1.5K km, developed an engine knock a few days ago. Took it to the Ganges Ford workshop today & they found a partially chewed-up high tension cable. Obviously the work of rats.
I had a Waxoyl engine compartment treatment done after the cable was replaced. Any chance it might prevent further attacks?
A couple of years ago, mice repeatedly chewed up the gas pipe in our kitchen. I guess I am lucky to be able to tell this story. Thanks to the mouse-trap that my wife bought & set everyday for several weeks, the apartment is clean. Unfortunately, now they are after the car.

Raccoon · 11th February 2010, 17:39

^^^How would a Waxoyl engine treatment keep rats away? Well, it might, if the smell is disagreeable to them. But I don't think that smell will last, so I would not count on it.

Since you find rat traps effective, why not keep one under the car?

As for gas tubes, I hope you know that steel cladded tubes (one piece) are available.

harsha.cs1 · 12th February 2010, 12:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by nura

A couple of years ago, mice repeatedly chewed up the gas pipe in our kitchen. I guess I am lucky to be able to tell this story.

Damn, I have gas pipes in my car!

I think rat avoidance assumes even greater importance in an LPG fitted car. I should also check with my LPG retrofitter if say steel pipes etc. could help against rats.

nura · 12th February 2010, 13:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raccoon

^^^How would a Waxoyl engine treatment keep rats away? Well, it might, if the smell is disagreeable to them. But I don't think that smell will last, so I would not count on it.

Since you find rat traps effective, why not keep one under the car?

As for gas tubes, I hope you know that steel cladded tubes (one piece) are available.

Waxoyl does have a faint odour. I guess only time will tell whether rats find it attractive or repulsive. The technician says the odor will last about 2 months. If it does last that long, it would be a fairly cost-effective option, as they charge only 300 for the job. The Maser ultrasonic repeller, on the other hand, costs over 4K, whereas Godrej Hicare wants 5K for a single treatment or 20K for a whole year's service.

Thanks for the info re the steel clad tube. Does the tube retain its flexibility after the cladding?

Raccoon · 13th February 2010, 02:16

^^^I seriously don't think the odour will last for 2 months... esp. since the area gets so hot. But only time will tell.

The steel clad tubes are obviously less flexible, but have not found that to be a problem. I guess it shouldn't be a problem unless you need the tube to take any sharp turns... which is something you probably shouldn't do with normal rubber tubes either.

We get our tubes from the gas company itself (IIRC its BPCL... can't recall for sure as its my parents who deal with them). Beware of fakes... its a critical item. They have a warranty of about 5 something years.

planet_rocker · 13th February 2010, 10:26

yesterday i noticed that the engine oil level was a bit low - a bit less than the Max level.

Today took a 500ml can of Magnatec to top it up and wallah!

Opened the bonnet and found a white ball of fur sitting on the battery. i got sh*t scared - so did the ball of fur. it tried to run and successfully managed to get itself stuck in between the ECU and the Battery. I asked the gate keeper to help it and he set it free.

The white ball of fur was a Kitten - cold and scared. Once it was set free it ran and hide itself behind a bush. poor fellow.

First there were rats and now a Kitten. Why My FIAT?

KSM-Vtec · 13th February 2010, 14:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by planet_rocker

yesterday i noticed that the engine oil level was a bit low - a bit less than the Max level.

Today took a 500ml can of Magnatec to top it up and wallah!

Opened the bonnet and found a white ball of fur sitting on the battery. i got sh*t scared - so did the ball of fur. it tried to run and successfully managed to get itself stuck in between the ECU and the Battery. I asked the gate keeper to help it and he set it free.

The white ball of fur was a Kitten - cold and scared. Once it was set free it ran and hide itself behind a bush. poor fellow.

First there were rats and now a Kitten. Why My FIAT?

Well thats coz of the space in there i guess!!!

6th February 2010, 14:09	#466
zaks BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 952 Thanked: 181 Times View My Garage	Why not try the new product Rat-O-matic which if kept on in the car keeps the rats away. It uses two AA batteries which last for a month.
	() Thanks

8th February 2010, 16:47	#468
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,688 Thanked: 23,494 Times View My Garage	As mentioned earlier. Ultra sonic devices do not work for long in general, and in a car like environment(unless you place 4-5 of those in difference places), they do not work at all!
	() Thanks

8th February 2010, 17:02	#469
planet_rocker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bong-land Posts: 2,323 Thanked: 426 Times	My observations: 1. Rat Kill - not that effective if the rat doesn't like it . Never keep in a hot engine bay - it melts due to wax content and will cause small heart attack if you love your car. 2. Tobacco Leaves - not effective after a certain period - hot engine will kill the odour after sometime. 3. Tanveer's suggestion / Rat Trap - not usefull if you have a small car with low gc and small engine bay. keep it trap near the tyres (front). 4. High(/Low??) Frequency beepers - No idea 5. Red / Black HIT - spray away from electrical parts / radiator / intake hoses. I have tried this as well keep a close watch near the radiator - it stays warm for a long time check the space behind the front wheel well plastic guard. Last edited by planet_rocker : 8th February 2010 at 17:11.
	() Thanks

8th February 2010, 17:07	#470
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,688 Thanked: 23,494 Times View My Garage	I keep the rat trap inside the car. And it worked in both the indica and safari. Make sure you use the metal wire mesh trap. Wooden traditional traps have narrow opening, and make rat wary. But all side airy metal traps work better, as the opening is wider and bigger rats can also come in.
	() Thanks

8th February 2010, 17:34	#472
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,688 Thanked: 23,494 Times View My Garage	If the area is rat prone, then poisoning them is the only solution, other than that you could seal the cabin. However, if you catch 4-5 rats and kill them all, it goes a long way in fixing them. As for repellants, I have heard that mint repels rats, don't know whether it will really work. Try storing some pudina in engine bay and see if it works?
	() Thanks

10th February 2010, 20:51	#474
nura BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kolkata Posts: 603 Thanked: 18 Times	Hi! My 3.5 month-old Ford Fiesta, which has clocked only 1.5K km, developed an engine knock a few days ago. Took it to the Ganges Ford workshop today & they found a partially chewed-up high tension cable. Obviously the work of rats. I had a Waxoyl engine compartment treatment done after the cable was replaced. Any chance it might prevent further attacks? A couple of years ago, mice repeatedly chewed up the gas pipe in our kitchen. I guess I am lucky to be able to tell this story. Thanks to the mouse-trap that my wife bought & set everyday for several weeks, the apartment is clean. Unfortunately, now they are after the car.
	() Thanks

11th February 2010, 17:39	#475
Raccoon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Poona Posts: 1,851 Thanked: 116 Times	^^^How would a Waxoyl engine treatment keep rats away? Well, it might, if the smell is disagreeable to them. But I don't think that smell will last, so I would not count on it. Since you find rat traps effective, why not keep one under the car? As for gas tubes, I hope you know that steel cladded tubes (one piece) are available.
	() Thanks

13th February 2010, 02:16	#478
Raccoon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Poona Posts: 1,851 Thanked: 116 Times	^^^I seriously don't think the odour will last for 2 months... esp. since the area gets so hot. But only time will tell. The steel clad tubes are obviously less flexible, but have not found that to be a problem. I guess it shouldn't be a problem unless you need the tube to take any sharp turns... which is something you probably shouldn't do with normal rubber tubes either. We get our tubes from the gas company itself (IIRC its BPCL... can't recall for sure as its my parents who deal with them). Beware of fakes... its a critical item. They have a warranty of about 5 something years. Last edited by Raccoon : 13th February 2010 at 02:17.
	() Thanks

13th February 2010, 10:26	#479
planet_rocker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bong-land Posts: 2,323 Thanked: 426 Times	yesterday i noticed that the engine oil level was a bit low - a bit less than the Max level. Today took a 500ml can of Magnatec to top it up and wallah! Opened the bonnet and found a white ball of fur sitting on the battery. i got sh*t scared - so did the ball of fur. it tried to run and successfully managed to get itself stuck in between the ECU and the Battery. I asked the gate keeper to help it and he set it free. The white ball of fur was a Kitten - cold and scared. Once it was set free it ran and hide itself behind a bush. poor fellow. First there were rats and now a Kitten. Why My FIAT?
	() Thanks