2 identical cars (Octavia Hatch '13 and a '17) - parked in the same drive way 

both have mice in side this winter 

 

any ideas as to what route they might have taken - following a good dose of looking around the outside and inside there is no obvious entry point  (all be it that something the size of a pencil would do) 

there is no trail or marks which might give us a clue 

Our dogs take a particular interest in the rear right and the front left wheel (may be irrelevant )  

 

damage so far is a faulty airbag unit and a damaged fleece jacket  plus a few destroyed bits of paper etc 

 

so suggestions please - where would you start to look for a point of entry 

Have you tried a cat?

 

But on a more serious note, there are several places they can get in. My first thought is the cabin pressure membrane (lets out the air when closing doors), I guess thats an easy way for mice. Other ways are through the wall behind the engine, lot of wires go through and there is probably enough space for a mouse.  

No cat - but two dogs who have been know to catch a thing or two 

 

Where is the membrane located ?

 

I have the cars checked in for a service in Jan - will get them to look at the firewall 

Rear right wheelwell sounds familiar for the cabin pressure membrane - I'm sure I've heard it 'flap' when closing the boot.

Interesting - and I bet it’s a foam like material 

 

has any one got a picture of how to get at this 

 

I found evidence on the underside plastic tray   of a light weight foam type material when I checked it out following the dogs interest in the space 

37 minutes ago, BGB said:

Have you tried a cat?

 

 

There should be one on the exhaust       

Having now read the workshop manual etc I find on page "Remove and install the exhaust ventilation for passenger compartment,"

this involves removing the bumper

has anyone got details exactly what the part number is for this vent - I am sort of guessing the mice have come in this way but before I dismantle I would love to understand exactly what it is and what a replacement looks like etc

 

picture would be helpful 

Mice and rats can do untold damage and lead to expensive repairs. I would be putting some bait stations down underneath the cars at night or up against a wall with suitable protection so your dog's and other pets can't get at it. Rodents like a cosy place particularly the engine bay when you've parked up at night and then start chewing.

48 minutes ago, benterrier said:

I would be putting some bait stations down underneath the cars at night or up against a wall with suitable protection so your dog's and other pets can't get at it. Rodents like a cosy place particularly the engine bay when you've parked up at night and then start chewing.

 

I would not use bait stations as if the rodent died whilst inside the car it would be a terrible job to find it and get rid of the smell. I would have thought that traps (humane or not) were a better bet although as the cars are kept outside there may be many more mice ready to take the place of any casulties.

Your choice, that's what I did and never had a problem

Thanks all - fairly convinced getting in through the aforementioned vent which is on the right rear just behind the wheel but behind the bumper - hard to see despite trying to get my phone in for a picture but will get garage to do a proper job as taking the bumper off looks easy but not doubt there is a knack to it 

 

bait stations - like the idea - but terrified the dogs will somehow break into them despite multiple measures to ensure they don't 

have snap traps in the car but Nutella and chocolate which worked for a while but clearly they have moved on from this taste or there are no longer any in the car - or they are hibernating 

 

If anyone has more detail on that exit vent then please send pictures - I am sure it should have wire mesh or similar to protect it from vermin 

 

Happy Christmas to you all 

Could something like a air con smoke bomb cleaner thingymajig work I wonder?

 

Put one of those in, turn your ventilation on recirculate and shut the doors.

 

Jerry and his mate I don't think will appreciate it and will get out. Plus it'll give your car a fresh smell if they've made a mess.

7 hours ago, francisC said:

Having now read the workshop manual etc I find on page "Remove and install the exhaust ventilation for passenger compartment,"

this involves removing the bumper

has anyone got details exactly what the part number is for this vent - I am sort of guessing the mice have come in this way but before I dismantle I would love to understand exactly what it is and what a replacement looks like etc

 

picture would be helpful 

Workshop manual?  You have a workshop manual for an Octavia?  Where did you get it?  How much?

Can you give more info please?

Thanks

 

48 minutes ago, Stewart7 said:

Workshop manual?  You have a workshop manual for an Octavia?  Where did you get it?  How much?

Can you give more info please?

Thanks

 

Search this forum for “workshop manual” someone has kindly posted them 

I found this picture 

more if you search “rear bumper  vent”

 

I think a mouse could easily get through - why are these not rodent proof - at least have a wire mesh similar to that say in an oil filter 

 

https://www.autodemont.eu/rear-bumper-breather-air-vent-flap-1h0819465e-skoda-fabia-1-6y-2006-combi-14-tdi-55-kw-amf-ggv-2

need to think how one could fashion a metal grid to sit over this - ideas welcome 

They're all in the same place, it is definitely a bumper-off job to access it...

 

Thanks - need a repair/blocking/mesh idea before I go to the pain of removing the bumper 

If you restrict the airflow too much then you might find it difficult to close the doors on the car etc.

Some thoughts - I could stuff up from the bottom with out removing the bumper 

 

wire wool - they cannot eat that but it’ll rust if it gets wet 

 

glass wool - do mice eat that ?

 

anything to obstruct the route really 

 

a stick on wire gauze (like a lint gauze but made of steel ) could work / but the gap to get your hand up between car and bumper is very tight 

Rodent mesh - google it - that’s the answer 

 

Christmas day with a bumper in your hand !!!

 

 

Rodent glue traps where putting down poison is a problem.

I would go for a humane trap, I have used these instead of a bait station. they are square section about 18" long and raised at one end, when the mouse goes for the bait  which is in the raised end, the trap tips, a gate come down and closes the end keeping the mouse in the trap, you can then deal with it. Try putting it in the footwell and bait it with chocolate, it works every time. 

Never use poison bait, had a mouse die in the loft between plaster board and 300mm of insulation. Bedroom stank for a fortnight, found the mouse 2 years later. Peanut butter works really well. 

The mice in our outbuildings have a fatal attraction to Nutella.

Regards

On ‎20‎/‎12‎/‎2019 at 23:56, francisC said:

Rodent mesh - google it - that’s the answer 

 

Christmas day with a bumper in your hand !!!

 

 

FrancisC

 

It's not a major job to remove the rear bumper. Dunno what the workshop manual says, but if you go on the PF Jones towbar site, you can download bumper removal instructions.

 

From memory it's a twenty minute job off, same again back on.  Best with two people to "spring" the sides outwards and to avoid any damage by dropping.