Grrrr... Mouse damage...

[pipnjones]

Well, spring time is nearly here, and I am having a garage potter, fitting a tonneau cover, which is fun but fiddly.

I thought I would sit in the car with half the tonneau on and see how it will feel when driving. Imagine my surprise when I saw light shining through the area round the gear stick. Mice have been munching on my car. I guess I had better check wiring from top to bottom and check what other damage they may have done before I hit the road. I have found droppings in the engine bay, and I need to check the seats too, I guess.

And tomorrow will be an opportunity for mouse trap shopping.

I don't think it will merit an insurance claim, but I am p-ed off.

[Darumvej]

Surrounded by fields I leave traps set all year round but mainly catch them between November and March.
I have trapped 9 so far this year 2 in the garage and 7 in the attic, I use the plastic traps that come already bated these seem to work well, just take dead mouse out and reset.

[pikeyboy]

I use the old fashioned spring traps baited with peanut butter. It's a killer bait!

[pipnjones]

Right now, I want to get Chuck Norris on any remaining mice.

But mice are small, I may need perfect the one inch punch if I want to inflict maximum damage...

The gaiter around the gearstick is chewed through. I need a bit of patience (and a warmer garage) to dig deeper. I'll go through all wires, tubes, pipes, air filter and anything soft in the cabin and in the boot, and then reassess.

[pikeyboy]

I use the old fashioned spring traps baited with peanut butter. It's a killer bait!

[downsman]

I've found Mars bar is very good bait too

Don't bother with humane traps, they don't work.

[pipnjones]

downsman said:

Don't bother with humane traps, they don't work.

Don't worry. Humane traps really hadn't figured in my plan at all. I wonder how hard it is to crucify a mouse....

[downsman]

pipnjones said:

I wonder how hard it is to crucify a mouse....

Maybe if you did it on the grill it would deter any others who have the same idea

[Risky]

Tunnel cover top is expensive to replace. It will however repair and can be done by Oxted Trimming who manufacture on behalf of Caterham. Others have had similar problems and repair was less than half the price of a new tunnel cover.
Hope this helps.