Critter problem

rusty01 · February 28, 2014

So I have developed an issue this winter where mice have decided my truck was a good spot for hiding dog food (not sure how a mouse can haul a large breed junk of dog food but whatever). Anyway, I took my air box apart to find about 5# of dog food hidden under the filter!! What?!!! Funny thing is this happened with my old truck as well! Strange! Anyway, that dog food has somehow made it into my HVAC system. I literally have dog food rolling around in there somewhere and making it's way out the floor vents! I took the blower motor out and couldn't find anything there. It looks like they are getting access to the channel l that runs the width of the truck where the vents are by the windshield. So, how on earth am I suppose to get the dog food out of there and how do I keep them bastards out of my truck??

Sir Dan · March 1, 2014

I hope you're parking outside and having this problem! Otherwise, you may need a pest control service or put out lots of d-con and get rid of the vermin. Sorry I can't help with removal of the kibble but I can't stand rattles and I'd just start taking sh*t apart until I got to it...

Bob D · March 1, 2014

Ha Ha!
I had a pair of mice build a nest in a depression in my manifold next to the carb choke heater.
Driving had dried nest material to perfect kindling & subsequently absorbed minute amount of fuel.
Yup, it caught fire.
Mouse traps w/ peanut butter under the hood prevented further issues.
(Cute little deer mice, but they had to be neutralized.)

bossier62guy · March 1, 2014

Get some peppermint oil, cotton balls and some tea balls (stainless steel mesh balls)....soak the cotton balls in the peppermint oil and place them in the tea balls....hang them in your engine compartment.

kgrumbach · March 1, 2014

Not sure on getting the food out, but moth balls would keep them away but if the smell could get in the cab then you'd probably have to go

another route.

esox07 · March 1, 2014

Dog food rolling out the floor vents??? Holy crap. I am sorry, but I have to chuckle at that one. Hard to believe there isn't some sort of screen over the intake to keep something the size of a mouse out. I have no idea how to get the dog food out that is currently in there, but the above recommendations should help keeping them out in the future. You might want to use traps under the truck. I don't like the under hood option. I can just hear the little traps getting ground up in the fan after I forget to take them out before starting up. Also, place traps near the source of the dog food. I suggest using peanut butter as apposed to cheese. I trapped 5 mice the first week I put traps in my garage this fall, since then, none even though I keep the traps baited and set. I think that once you capture all the current culprits, you will be good until another one finds that neat hiding spot. Just keep some traps set and baited near the truck and dog food. Just keep them inaccessible by the dog or he may wind up with a sore nose.

Good luck and keep us posted on how it turns out for you.

rusty01 · March 3, 2014

Yeah I have no idea how they got in the HVAC with the food but there is rubber flap deal that closes off each end of the "channel" where I beleive air is pulled into the HVAC system. It's completely open above the blower motor to that whole channel that runs the width of the truck just under the hood. My guess is that's how they got the food into the system. Pretty sure there is no way to get the food out unless I tear the whole dash apart to get to the HVAC system. It's been below zero here almost every day since mid February so pretty sure the bastards are attempting to find somewhere warm. Ugh! I'll set some traps and see what happens.

scz71864 · March 3, 2014

Get you some glue board or some spring loaded mouse traps and place them around your truck or garage. put some peanut butter on the traps and dont set them. let the mice take the bait, then set. I work for a PC company btw. let me know if you have any questions

rusty01 · March 4, 2014

On a sad note our beloved Lab pasted away last night You know, I was driving the truck last night after I got the news and more dog food came out the vents and it made me break down! Ugh! Just bought a brand new bag of dog food to! Sucks, man! She was like family no doubt.

Sir Dan · March 4, 2014

Sorry to hear about your dog. We really get attached to those mutts don't we...

rusty01 · March 4, 2014

Yes, yes we do. Especially after 14 years. Never knew it'd be this hard. This is the first dog I have ever had to put down. Stupid cancer!!

06pirate · March 5, 2014

I had the mouse problem too. After they got into the fuse box and ate up all the wiring they started building a nest in the airbox.

I pulled the whole airbox assembly out of the fender, and used 1/4 inch hardware cloth (soldered wire mesh) to make an inlet screen, and Pop-riveted it to the airbox inlet. That has kept them out for several years now. I did the same thing to the Toyota truck too. I wish I could give you pics, but I'm not going to pull it all out again just for some photos.

Marsalav · December 4, 2016

06 pirate. What model was your truck? I have 06 2500 duramax with major mouse issue. Pulled off cowling below windshield and peaked down that channel and believe i saw a factory grate.

deweyg63 · December 4, 2016

I use fresh cab, moth balls and dryer sheets when I store my camaro. Moth ball bags around on the garage floor, fresh cab and dryer sheets in the trunk engine compartment and inside the car