An off shoot of the many problems that the COVID-19 Corona Virus Pandemic brought along is the fact that many of our vehicles… NOT just the GMT-360s and GMT-400-800 Vehicles have had to be parked for longer than ordinary time frames. For some of us, depending upon the region of the countries that we live in across North America, we have to be concerned about the insidious damage being done by… Rodents.
We’ve already have several Members attempting to solve ‘Weird PXXX OBD2 Trouble Code Clusters’ that devolved into discovering their Under-Hood Electrical Wiring Harnesses and Connectors were being relentlessly chewed completely through, causing inexplicable Electrical Shorts and even “NO Start – NO Crank” events.
Armed with the understanding of what the symptoms of Rodent Infestations look like via the attached images, then you’ll have the chance to raise the hoods of all your vehicles… and seek to find any or all of these Tell-Tale signs:
(1) No Start No Crank events on vehicles parked for extended periods of time.
(2) Signs of Chewing Damage from the incessant need of Rodents to Gnaw & Wear Down their Teeth on anything they can literally..Sink Their Teeth Into...".
(3) Obvious signs ...and NOT SO OBVIOUS Signs of Rat or Mouse Droppings. ***
(4) Collections of Grass, Weeds & Animal Fur packed into the various Engine Well Nooks & Crannies. ***
(5) Destruction of the Under-Hood Fiber-Glass and Rubber Hose Insulation performed for Nest Making.
*** THIS Intimate Search and Handling of ANY of this Material may expose you to Inhaling and becoming infected with The Deadly Hanta Virus that makes COVID-19 look like a bout of the Sniffles. This Risk is mostly due to the presence of Common Deer Mouse; a ubiquitous Critter that is the Natural Carrier of this Very Dangerous Virus. Use Extreme Care when investigating and handling any Rodent Species Nests as this brings along the Risk of your Inhaling desiccated, friable, Dried Mouse Feces and Urine Particles.
So... What Should I do...?
(1) Inspect your Dormant vehicles at least Weekly...and Start then Up to Keep Oil in the Upper Block and Check the Battery Strength.
(2) If you find any signs of any Rodent Infestations, place Traps and Baits nearby and underneath the Vehicle. Use care when discarding Dead Rodents... Use Zip Lock Bags.
(3) Treat the areas you suspect might become inviting to this Nest Building by soaking Irritating Peppermint Oil into Durable Rags and stuffing them down into those crevasses and corners where you might find Nesting Material.
(4) Remove ALL traces of Careless Food leftovers (Yup... Having Chocolate Chip Cookies and McDonald's French Fries tucked under the Seats and on the Floorboards is like Ringing the Mouse Dinner Bell).
BE SAFE… MASK UP… GLOVE UP… AND PLACE THESE MATERIALS IN ZIP LOCK BAGS FOR TRASH REMOVAL.
Note: The attached SUV Images were provided in a related Thread by another GMTN Member... @christo829
We’ve already have several Members attempting to solve ‘Weird PXXX OBD2 Trouble Code Clusters’ that devolved into discovering their Under-Hood Electrical Wiring Harnesses and Connectors were being relentlessly chewed completely through, causing inexplicable Electrical Shorts and even “NO Start – NO Crank” events.
Armed with the understanding of what the symptoms of Rodent Infestations look like via the attached images, then you’ll have the chance to raise the hoods of all your vehicles… and seek to find any or all of these Tell-Tale signs:
(1) No Start No Crank events on vehicles parked for extended periods of time.
(2) Signs of Chewing Damage from the incessant need of Rodents to Gnaw & Wear Down their Teeth on anything they can literally..Sink Their Teeth Into...".
(3) Obvious signs ...and NOT SO OBVIOUS Signs of Rat or Mouse Droppings. ***
(4) Collections of Grass, Weeds & Animal Fur packed into the various Engine Well Nooks & Crannies. ***
(5) Destruction of the Under-Hood Fiber-Glass and Rubber Hose Insulation performed for Nest Making.
*** THIS Intimate Search and Handling of ANY of this Material may expose you to Inhaling and becoming infected with The Deadly Hanta Virus that makes COVID-19 look like a bout of the Sniffles. This Risk is mostly due to the presence of Common Deer Mouse; a ubiquitous Critter that is the Natural Carrier of this Very Dangerous Virus. Use Extreme Care when investigating and handling any Rodent Species Nests as this brings along the Risk of your Inhaling desiccated, friable, Dried Mouse Feces and Urine Particles.
So... What Should I do...?
(1) Inspect your Dormant vehicles at least Weekly...and Start then Up to Keep Oil in the Upper Block and Check the Battery Strength.
(2) If you find any signs of any Rodent Infestations, place Traps and Baits nearby and underneath the Vehicle. Use care when discarding Dead Rodents... Use Zip Lock Bags.
(3) Treat the areas you suspect might become inviting to this Nest Building by soaking Irritating Peppermint Oil into Durable Rags and stuffing them down into those crevasses and corners where you might find Nesting Material.
(4) Remove ALL traces of Careless Food leftovers (Yup... Having Chocolate Chip Cookies and McDonald's French Fries tucked under the Seats and on the Floorboards is like Ringing the Mouse Dinner Bell).
BE SAFE… MASK UP… GLOVE UP… AND PLACE THESE MATERIALS IN ZIP LOCK BAGS FOR TRASH REMOVAL.
Note: The attached SUV Images were provided in a related Thread by another GMTN Member... @christo829
Last edited: