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How do you get rid of squirrels in your car engine?
We store one of our cars in our barn over the winter. We always find a squirrel in the engine afterwards. How do we get rid of them?
Will Baldwin · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Believe it or not, squirrels and other critters in your engine is common, but it’s actually pretty easy to take care of!
There are essentially two methods. The first is through smell:
- Marinate some old rags in ammonia, garlic, or apple cider vinegar for 10 minutes.
- Place them in a plastic bag.
- Now, puncture the bag. The goal of this is to let the smell escape.
The smell should deter or force out any animals from your car. Additionally, if you have a cat, you could also try dirty cat litter. If you choose this route, hang the bag under the hood of your car.
Your other option is to
pop the car’s hood
and hope they leave on their own. With this method, add extra light and sound. The engine feels safe, so loud sounds and light will deter them from making a home.Whatever method you choose, make sure they’re out before you use your car. And, if possible, get the engine checked by a mechanic for possible damage. Sometimes animals chew through wires or store food inside parts of your car.
Since you’ll need to get the car to a mechanic, consider adding a roadside assistance membership. Any time a car is in storage, problems can arise. A roadside assistance membership with
Jerry
will ensure you’re never stranded. Jerry’s roadside assistance membership gives you access to industry-leading roadside assistance for as little as $4.16 a month.View full answer
- Gregory R.
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