Martens, mice, rats and cats - how to get rid of them in the car?

Winter is just around the corner and it is getting colder outside, so cars, especially those parked fresh and still warm, are the perfect haven for animals. Unfortunately, their presence can lead to serious damage. How to get rid of uninvited guests from the car?

Even an animal lover who knows for himself what brave marten creatures and what harm little mice can do will sincerely hate them. It will be an expensive and very problematic encounter, as nimble, quiet animals with extremely sharp teeth readily nest in hot cars, biting - for fun or to make their way - rubber elements. Both under the hood and in other parts of the car, there are a lot of parts that are susceptible to damage.

The best-case scenario is the destruction of the gaskets, sound insulation of the engine compartment or washer lines - further driving is usually possible, and repairs do not have to be done immediately. However, repairs can cost up to several thousand PLN, especially if electrical, fuel or plumbing cables are damaged. If the driver does not notice the malfunction in time, the use of the car can lead to serious and costly damage. Moreover, traveling in such a car can be very dangerous!

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How to deal with martens?

The problem is quite common. You don't have to live in the city. It is enough that there is a park, forest or meadow nearby. In autumn, the tick often begins to seek a warm shelter. At night, martens are very willing to go hiking in residential areas, they can be seen even in urban centers. It is enough that there is enough food in the area. Fortunately, there are several ways to fight, including modern ones based on electronic solutions. Devices that emit ultrasound deserve attention. True, for a person they are practically inaudible, but they are very annoying to animals, including martens. Their cost is about PLN 100 for basic solutions. Advanced sets with several ultrasonic emitters cost about PLN 300-400. In the case of the most extensive sets, they can be installed, for example, near the plot or garage.

A simpler, but no less effective solution is a special flavoring. Such preparations are sold in most cases in the form of various types of sprays with a capacity of about 500 ml. Expenses? The price range is large, but the upper limit is PLN 50-60. In theory, it is enough to spray bitten parts of the car or the surroundings of the place where we park. Efficiency? Passionate about preparation.

Or maybe "home remedies"?

Before investing in expensive solutions, you can try home remedies. Martens are repelled by a sharp chemical smell. Instead of specialized liquids, you can try using products that are found in every home. These can be moth balls, chlorine-based cleaner (not very easy to apply and potentially harmful to varnish), as well as traditional toilet fragrance, which should be placed in an area where there are signs of animals.

Martens are brave, but, like other animals, they are afraid of individuals larger than themselves. This is worth taking advantage of by simulating the presence of another animal in the area. It happens that drivers who have not been able to fight pests for a long time even scatter dog or cat droppings on the vehicle, and put animal hair under the hood. It works? Opinions vary. It should be remembered that all animals get used to the situation after some time, therefore, after a dozen or two days, the aromatic cube ceases to scare away, like the chemical reagent spilled over the car. Also, hair bags do not fulfill their purpose after some time. Therefore, "restraints" should be changed from time to time to increase their effectiveness.

Biological solutions - a cat worth its weight in gold

If martens and other rodents have settled in a car that is located on private property, the best solution would be to bring their natural enemy. What is it about? Both martens and smaller rodents such as mice or rats avoid confrontation with other animals. Yes, we can apply the aforementioned “simulation” of the presence of another animal with a fur bag, but this is a temporary solution. The best way out of the situation would be to hire a natural protector - a dog or a cat. The dog can cope with martens, and also scare away rats and mice. A large cat will also scare off a marten, but remember that the younger one may not be able to cope with a group of martens. In addition, remember that martens are protected in our country, so you should not try to set traps on them or take other actions that could harm them.

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