No wonder they are called “four-legged terrorists.” In fact, ravenous rodents will take up residence under the hood of a vehicle to get out of the cold, snow and wind, according to auto experts at AAA Car Care Centers across the Washington metro area. And because some car parts are made from renewable resources, such as soy-based wire coverings or body insulation made of natural products, the car could become a smorgasbord of treats for rodents, whose snacking can result in costly damage for car owners.

“Gnawed wires cause all sorts of electrical problems, including engine no-starts. Unfortunately, the cost to make repairs can run into hundreds of dollars and is not always covered under the owner’s new car warranty or car insurance,” said James Spires, Regional Manager, AAA Car Care Centers.  “Rodent damage is not something a car owner would think of needing protection from, however, we’ve seen enough cases to say it’s a problem.” 

Think mice in the motor! AAA technicians say they typically see this type of destruction more

frequently as the weather gets colder, especially if a car is not regularly driven, which could be the case of motorists haven’t ventured out in the past few days due to the extremely cold temperatures. “While advances in car construction can be beneficial to the environment, there may also be unforeseen consequences such as making your car more appetizing to rodents,” said Spires.

Click here for video of AAA Car Care Technician Adam Roth's demonstration of rodents' favorite engine parts.

Calls concerning rats soared to a four-year high on the District’s 311 phone line, according to news reports. Remember the District “ranks fifth on the ‘Top 50 Rattiest Cities’ list.” Calls to pest control services for rodent woes are spiking in major cities across the country, according to Mother Jones magazine. It was up “57 percent in Washington, D.C.”  Home remedies and repellents include mice traps, mothballs, dryer sheets, D-Con, peppermint, Sulphur, and steel wool. If you have to park a seldom-used car in a driveway or on the street, be sure to start and drive it from time to time.  This can chase away mice that might be hibernating under your hood, and 30 minutes or so of operation will circulate the vehicle lubricants and help keep the battery charged. Since the early 2000s, requirements have been put upon automakers to manufacture cars that are more fuel efficient and environmentally-friendly. To meet those requirements, certain car parts are being engineered with biodegradable elements.  Soy-based wire coating is one example, along with insulation made from natural products like sisal and flax, and seat cushions made from coconut fiber. 

“Rats, Rats, Rats! Thousands, millions of them,” as Renfield said in the 1931 screen version of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. What can be done? Do not park a seldom-used car on the street or in a driveway, counsel auto technicians at AAA Car Care Centers.  But if you must, there are ways to limit rodent infestations. While some people advocate using moth balls or pepper spray under the hood, fumes from these products are unhealthy for humans as well.  Alternatives include cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil, or more conventional measures such as mouse traps, poisons and ultrasonic repellant devices. A number of non-toxic, plant-based rodent repellants are also available, and copper screening (not plastic or other metals) can be used to seal off air intake openings because rats don’t like its taste.

 “Rodent-inflicted damage is an age-old problem that some observers say is increasing as automakers use more plant-based biodegradable materials to reduce waste,” according to Consumer Reports. “It turns out that rodents sharpening their teeth and feasting on cars is more prevalent than you might think.” In light of this, here are some tips from the automotive insurance industry:

• Avoid parking or storing cars or trucks in areas with rodent problems, especially wooded areas or tall grass. Instead park or store your car on gravel or pavement —placing a bucket of mothballs under it or sprinkling fox urine powder around it might help, too.
• Remove any food sources from vehicles.
• Place deterrents such as cedar wood, dog hair, human hair, or peppermint oil inside.
• Set mouse traps inside the vehicle to catch any rodents that enter — or try reputable sound repellant devices.
• Open the hood of a parked car to eliminate the dark, warm environment that mammals seek when building a nest.

“Of mice and men” and machines. Mother Jones reported,” Most cities know rat woes well. Washington, D.C., for instance, has burned through countless plans to stymie its longstanding “rat problem” or “rodent crisis,” in which disease-ridden critters are not only growing in number but ballooning to the size of human infants.” The District reportedly received more than 5,000 calls about rats during 2017 alone.