Wild animals have invaded the inside of my car – I’ve tried everything from garlic to ammonia, but I may need a ‘nuclear option’

DRIVERS have been looking for ways to protect their cars after wild animals started getting into their cars and became immune to well-known remedies.

Tom Marion, a 62-year-old teacher, became one of many whose car became the target of the rodent invasion in New York.

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“They will find you,” he said Wall Street Journal about the mice.

“And they all know each other and talk to each other.”

New York City has seen its rat population increase by 1 million over the past decade, according to recent estimates.

The city began to see an increase in the number of nuisance animals in 2020 due to food waste and cuts to New York’s sanitation department, according to Julie Menin, a councilwoman who represents Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

“We were literally hearing from parents about rats running across their children’s feet as they walked them to school,” she told The Guardian.

Marion’s car first became a target in 2022 when he discovered his 2015 Toyota Prius C had wires chewed on by rodents.

He had to have his car towed, but luckily his insurance was able to cover the $1,000 bill.

However, when he noticed that rats had once again destroyed the wires in his car, he decided to find new methods to keep them away.

Every night he began covering his car with rodent repellent scented with garlic and peppermint oil.

For added protection, Marion even added stainless steel wool to the engine at night.

However, a few weeks later, the rats returned and were stored under the hood of the car.

Using scented objects has been one of the many options suggested online for keeping rodents away.

Jason Munshi-South, an evolutionary biologist, revealed that this is because tests done on rats showed that they normally don’t like scented objects, when speaking to the Wall Street Journal.

However, members of a r/Mechanical Advice thread on Reddit realized that things like ammonia or garlic are not a foolproof remedy.

We were literally hearing from parents about rats running across their children’s feet as they walked them to school

Julie Menin

When counseling someone who was dealing with a similar problem, one person suggested a more dangerous solution.

“In a few weeks, your best option will probably be to set the car on fire and make an insurance claim,” one suggestion read.

Instead of destroying the car, Marion decided to sell it.

He has since admitted that he has had no rodent issues, but is still diligent about keeping his car safe.

He makes sure his new Ford Escape hybrid is never parked near trash cans and never parks in the same spot on weekdays.

“When they come back, I’ll be gone,” says Marion. “I’m never in the same place. I’m around.”

‘IT’S TERRIBLE’

This isn’t New York’s only automotive problem.

Last month, The US Sun reported on the growing number of residents concerned about abandoned junk vehicles in the Wakefield area of ​​the Bronx.

“It’s terrible,” Wakefield resident Michelle Balfon told CBS News.

“It’s extremely distracting, especially when it’s in front of your house.”

Balfon revealed that she and other residents reported the cars numerous times but received no help.

“They practically do nothing.”

The Department of Sanitation told the police station that the reason they don’t remove the cars is because their policy only allows them to take cars without license plates.

The only reason they would break this rule is if the car was severely damaged.

However, this was not a good enough response for residents like Balfon.

“I know the Bronx is one of the poorest neighborhoods, but we are taxpayers. We are home owners”, emphasized Balfon.

“And we deserve some attention here. It’s not fair.”