Red vintage car

Rodent-Proofing Your Vintage Car: A Complete Guide

Owning a vintage or collectible car is a source of pride. They’re our passions, they’re significant investments, and they’re often the culmination of lifelong goals.

So, if you’ve spent the time, money, and effort restoring your dream car into pristine condition, the absolute last thing you want is for something as small as a mouse to sneak inside and ruin it.

It’s a fear all of us have: The day when we step back out to the garage, pull off the tarp, and find the engine won’t start … that the custom leather upholstery has been chewed through … that the cabin smells like rodent droppings and worse. It’s a devastating reality none of us want to face.

But the risks are real — and the repair costs are high.

That’s why it’s critical you take precautionary steps to protect your vehicle. In this guide, we’ll discuss why rodents might be attracted to your vintage car, what sort of damage they might cause, and how you can prevent it.

Why Rodents Are a Threat to Vintage Cars

The unfortunate truth is that unless you are driving your vintage or collectible car on a regular basis, it is a prime target for rodent damage. Any stationary vehicle provides a safe haven for rodents against the elements and potential predators, but a vehicle in long-term storage adds a level of security and calm that’s particularly attractive.  

And the damage they can cause can be exponentially more expensive and challenging to repair given the unique parts involved.

Potential Rodent Damage

  • Chewed wiring: Rodents regularly gnaw through wiring, leading to electrical malfunctions, fire hazards, and potential accidents.
  • Damaged upholstery and insulation: Carpets, seats, insulation, and more can be used as cozy nesting material, getting ripped apart, torn to shreds, or permanently soiled.
  • Nesting debris: Engine compartments and air vents make for warm, comfortable homes to build a nest. The debris can block airflow, causing poor performance and potentially spreading dangerous airborne bacteria.
  • Droppings and odors: The stains and odors of rodent droppings may linger even after deep cleans of the vehicle.
  • Health Hazards: Rodents carry many dangerous diseases from the Hantavirus to the plague and Rat-Bite Fever. An infestation puts you and those around you in danger.
Tom Sharp standing with the original Box-Kat mouse barrier

How to Rodent-Proof Your Vintage Car

It’s much easier (and cheaper) to prevent rodent damage than it is to repair it. With just a handful of proactive measures, you can save yourself massive headaches in the future. Here’s our step-by-step guide to rodent-proofing your vintage car:

1. Consider Storage Options

Whether you’re storing your Corvette for the winter or simply keeping it off the road for a few weeks, it’s important to consider your storage options:

  • Outdoor storage: While driveway or street parking may leave your collectible out for all the neighbors to see, it’s easily the least secure option. Avoid unless using your vehicle regularly, as you’re left exposed to the elements and rodent-related threats.
  • Indoor storage: A personal garage can be a great place to store your vintage car given you support it with the right preventative measures. Just know that the protection of a roof and garage door is not always enough to keep your collectible safe.
  • Storage facilities: If you know you won’t be needing your car for months at a time, professional storage facilities add another layer of protection and resources, including climate-controlled environments and 24-hour security.

What you decide on may depend on the resources around you and the budget you’re willing to expend. Just keep in mind that a single mouse can cause several thousand dollars of damage in nearly no time at all.

2. Keep Surroundings Clean

Rodents will flock to your car if they believe there is food or nesting material available. That means trash, scraps, kibble, clutter, and more. Vacuum every nook and cranny of your car — under the seats, between the center console, trunk, and all — and keep waste bins out of the area.

Mouse trap with cheese bait

3. Set Mouse Traps

If you suspect that there might be rodents already in the area, traps are an important step to securing the vehicle. Classic snap traps with some peanut butter or cheese bait are a simple option. Place them along the walls, near the car’s wheels, and around any potential entry points.

Enclosed bait stations are a great option if you’re concerned about children or pets having access to the area.

Pro Tip: Covering your traps with a tissue box or other small barrier will keep mice from sneaking around the side and grabbing the bait undisturbed.

4. Seal Entry Points

Mice can squeeze through cracks and openings as small as a dime. What may look like a chip in the wall to you looks like a welcome gate for rodents. Do a thorough inspection of both your storage area and your vehicle to secure all entry points

  • Storage area: Repair all cracks and gaps in the walls, floors, and doors. Consider installing garage door sweeps if they don’t fit snuggly.
  • Vehicle openings: Use wire mesh, steel wool, or weatherstripping to cover any potential entry points: wheel wells, vents, etc.

5. Place Natural Rodent Repellants

Natural deterrents can be helpful additions to your rodent-proofing efforts, but don’t rely on them entirely. Just like us, one rodent’s tastes may differ from the next. These tools are most effective when combined with other methods:

  • Peppermint oil: Soaked cotton balls or store-bought sprays used strategically around the car can dissuade rodents from entering.
  • Irish Spring soap or scented dryer sheets: Place in the trunk, cabin, and under the hood. Check occasionally, as some stubborn mice have been found to chew through the soap or use the sheets as nesting material.
  • Cedar chips or mothballs: Both can have strong deterring effects but may also leave strong odors that are difficult to remove from your car.
  • Barn cat: Sometimes introducing a natural predator into the area is all you need. A good cat can act as 24-hour security.

Pro Tip: Poisons may seem like an easy solution, but they can cause more problems than they solve as rodents go on to die inside your vehicle. The danger they pose to your pets and other animals is rarely worth it.

6. Disturb the Peace

Most rodents are nocturnal animals, which means they enjoy their peace and quiet. The more uncomfortable the environment becomes for them, the less likely they are to stick around.

  • LED lights: Motion-activated or timed LED lights in your storage area will help disrupt the rodents’ nocturnal habits.
  • Ultrasonic devices: Inaudible to humans, the high-frequency sounds emitted by these devices are extremely unpleasant to rodents, forcing them away.
  • Regular activity: Simply moving your car regularly, running the engine, or playing the radio can disturb the peace well enough to deter any long-term infestations.
Classic VW bug with Box-Kat mouse barrier

7. Install a Box-Kat Mouse Barrier: Your Best Defense

For over a century, rodents have plagued vehicle owners, causing headaches and hefty repair bills. The Box-Kat mouse barrier is a game-changer, offering a simple, effective, and non-toxic solution.

What is the Box-Kat Mouse Barrier?

The Box-Kat is a patented rodent barrier that uses flex-panel technology to adapt to uneven surfaces, blocking rodents from crawling under or jumping over the barrier and accessing your vehicle.

Why Choose Box-Kat?

  • Taller Panels: At 14 inches, they’re higher than any house mouse can jump.
  • Universal Fit: Designed for vehicles of all sizes, including sedans, SUVs, trucks, RVs, and golf carts.
  • Indoor and Outdoor Use: Perfect for garages, storage units, or outdoor lots.
  • Quick Setup: Easily secure your vehicle in minutes.

Invest in a Box-Kat today and protect your vehicle from costly rodent damage!

Back to blog