Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/754203
Victoria Park WINTER 2016 BCA A .COM 31 AUTOMOTIVE Pest Prevention p.31 | Traction Materials p.32 | School Zones p.33 L ike a lot of vehicle owners, I learned rats were living in my SUV from my mechanic. I'd brought it in after a "check engine" light lit up last winter. When the mechanic lifted my hood and started poking around, he found the air filter clogged with debris, including piles of foam ripped from the upholstery. The warning light was coming from chewed wires. It's a more common problem than many BC car owners realize: warmth-seeking critters use vehicles as nests and sources of food during winter months. Rats and mice are the main culprits, but other rodents, such as marmots, can cause damage, too. "They're looking for food and a warm place to call home," says Stu Miller, Senior Manager of Automotive Operations for BCAA. "Most people never know they're there until their mechanic tells them." Gnawed wires, shredded insulation, droppings and trash brought in as nesting can be the results. Electrical wire casings are sometimes made from peanut oil and are a rat favourite, says Miller. "We see all kinds of rat damage at our Auto Service Centres," he adds. "We saw one truck that was ripped to shreds. Almost all the wiring and interior had to be redone." Auto insurance typically covers rodent damage, but it's better to avoid a claim in the first place, says Miller. He offers a few tips for preventing and dealing with infestations: • Don't leave food inside vehicles. Even crumbs can attract unwanted guests. • Park away from rodent habitats: forests, tall grass, manholes and the like. • Stuff dryer sheets into cavities where rodents could enter a vehicle – near the trunk door, for example. Something about the smell bothers them, says Miller. Critter Control Warmth-seeking pests can wreak havoc on vehicles in the winter months BY RYAN STUART • Keep critters out of your garage. Store any attractants, such as compost and garbage, as far from the house as possible. • Check your home's exterior for gaps. Seal any hole large enough for mice or rats to squeeze through. • Fill holes that can't be sealed with stainless steel or copper mesh. Rodents can't chew through this material. • Clean up after an infestation. Wipe down affected areas with a mixture of bleach and water. Wear protective gloves and work in a well-ventilated area. • Once rodents are gone, check back regularly. Scan your engine, trunk and interior for signs of return visitors. The sooner you catch them, the less damage they're likely to do. ■ MEMBERS SAVE BCAA Members save 10% and get a two-year warranty and free car wash with every service or repair at BCAA's Auto Service Centres in Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon and Nanaimo. bcaa.com/autoservice