Marten in the car - how to deal with it

If you live in an area where animals roam, a marten in the car will not be superfluous. The population of martens in our country is regularly growing, which is why their presence in cars is becoming more frequent. Rather, they do not nest in vehicles, but may hide food in them or treat them as shelter. Find out how to protect your car from martens. In this way, you will protect your vehicle from the damage that this small mammal can cause. Read on and see how to do it!

Marten in the car - what you need to know about it?

The marten is a relative of the weasel - it's actually a type of mammal, not a specific species. The pine marten is common in Europe. This animal is nocturnal, which means it forages and interacts with other members of its species after dark. For this reason, a marten in a car is not surprising, especially if you encounter one in the morning. At night, he can use the car as a shelter. The body length of this animal reaches up to 53 cm. However, it also has a long tail (up to 28 cm). You can recognize the marten by its elongated dark brown body. From afar, this animal may resemble a domestic ferret.

Marten in the car will leave traces

Sometimes marten marks on the car are very clear. Sometimes under the mask you can find his fur or look for paw prints. If you see them, you can be sure that this little creature has visited you. Especially if the prints are larger than in the case of, for example, a rat, and the coat is dark brown. However, there is an even more disturbing trace of the intruder. If you notice chewed up cables, you can take a look at them. See the triangular shape? It can also mean an unwanted guest.

What can a marten under the hood lead to?

Marten in the car can lead to really serious problems. After her “visit”, the cost of repairing a vehicle can amount to several thousand zlotys. The animal can not only gnaw through the cables, but also lead to fluid leakage from the vehicle. Sometimes the car may not move at all. In our country, there are no data on accidents caused by these animals. However, statistics are kept in Germany. In 2014, a marten in a car resulted in 216 documented reports.

Is the marten biting the cables? Don't expect to do it just once

If you are sure that this animal appeared in your car, then you can be almost sure that it will return to the same place. Car repair can do little. Such a marten in the car has probably already found its safe place or hid food in it, so it will return to it. Changing the parking spot may not help, because the intruder will find it using his sense of smell. Like any nocturnal predator, it has a much better sense of smell than humans.

Martin in the car on the road

Like any wild animal, the marten has its own territory. So if this intruder shows up in your car, you probably live near his favorite places. Sometimes you may not even know that you have such an unwanted guest. The marten may appear from time to time and will not leave any marks. However, when you leave your residence and another individual appears in the area, it can destroy your vehicle, looking for its rival, whose scent it has smelled. So it's worth keeping that in mind.

Marten in the car during the day

You don't have to worry about your car being attacked during the day. These animals then rather sleep and do not come out of their hiding places. Even if, for example, you are visiting friends and these animals roam nearby, you do not always need to worry. The marten will not appear in the car unless you leave the car in one place after dark.

Home remedy for martens in the car may not work

At first, drivers usually try to get rid of the marten with home remedies. For example, they use strong-smelling items such as strong detergents. Another popular method is to put dog or cat hair bags in the car. A bad smell should make the animal feel less confident. However, these measures often do not work. In addition, such a marten in the car can quickly get used to them. This may be a good emergency solution, but in the long run it is not the best way to kick an intruder out of your car.

Preparing a car marten might work better

How to professionally protect your car from martens? Animal repellant can be used. Its composition is specially adapted (unlike home remedies), so its effectiveness should be higher than that of home remedies. Such products are not expensive. However, there is still a risk that the animal will quickly get used to the smell and begin to ignore it. Sometimes you need to use more advanced methods to get rid of the marten in the car. It:

• electric shock plates;
• ultrasonic systems;
• homemade marten repellers.

An effective method for martens - appliances work better

Electronic devices are usually more effective against martens. One of the most popular solutions is electrical panels. Several pieces must be installed near the car engine, in different places. If a marten in a car accidentally touches a tile, she will be electrocuted and feel pain, which will cause her to run away.. People sensitive to animal harm may not approve of such methods, but be aware that the marten itself can create problems, such as drinking oil or getting stuck in a car. So it's better to scare her away, even in a rather radical way. 

But what about the martens in the car - try an ultrasound

How about martens in the car if you want to get rid of them effectively without hurting them? An ultrasound can be used. The hearing of these animals is much more sensitive than that of humans. Ultrasounds have absolutely no effect on humans, but they effectively scare martens away, and at the same time do not cause them pain. Hearing them, the animal will no longer treat your car as a safe place and will no longer approach it. Good and efficient systems change sounds regularly. You can buy a solid product of this type for 9 euros.

Ways to Get Martens in the Car When You Have More Cars

If you have multiple vehicles, try installing a homemade marten repeller. It will work throughout the surrounding area. This may end up being less efficient, but if you have multiple machines, this solution will definitely come out cheaper. This type of device also creates an ultrasound that repels martens and is louder. You can buy such equipment from 8 euros, but there are usually stronger and more efficient ones for which you will pay 25 euros and more.

The marten in the car is not a welcome guest. This can cause damage to your vehicle and you will incur huge repair bills. If these forest animals roam your area, try scaring them away using one of the methods we recommend.