How do I keep squirrels from nesting under the hood of my car?
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Our yard is full of squirrels and chipmunks. They keep nesting somewhere under the hood of my car (you can't see it when you open the hood) and it's getting expensive to have the mechanic clear them out. Plus it smells!!! Help!!
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I read recently that they don't like red pepper or cayenne pepper . Maybe sprinkle some around the garage/carport/wherever you park the car. Hopefully this will chase them off .
Put some mints under the hood or sprinkle mint extract they hate it
They also hate moth balls and moth ball crystals.
Hope you don't have a newer Toyota that has soy coated wiring. Seems squirrels, rodents, rabbits really love to eat the "soy" - afterall it is a food. What was Toyota & others thinking?
Sprinkle mothballs there. they hate that!
Can you soak cotton balls in mint essential oil, then place them in old stockings, and, when you park your car for overnight, open the hood and place all around the engine compartment? Or, just make a whole bunch and place them under the car?
We had trouble with out older model Plymouth Breeze, they ate 2 out of 4 spark plug wires, never found a solution, of course replaced the wires, maybe they were non-soy ones.
To help keep squirrels away from your ride, the Canadian Wildlife Federation suggests using taste deterrents, like bitter apple spray. Most pet stores and veterinary clinics carry bitter apple spray, as well as other taste deterrents for wildlife. Use caution and talk to a mechanic before spraying anything directly on your vehicle, though, to help avoid any damage.
If you suspect a squirrel is already nesting under the hood of your car, the Toronto Wildlife Centre suggests leaving the hood of your car open for a day or two (if it's safe to do so). This may help make your car a less attractive nesting space and the squirrel may vacate on its own.