Rodents may be feasting on your car

Small animals are causing big problems for car owners around the country and here in the Miami Valley according to our consumer investigation. Mechanics tell us that the soy coating used by some car makers is turning your car into rodent food. 

Barry Hall of Champion Auto in Dayton said he has fixed numerous vehicles that were chewed under the hood. In one case, a rodent ate through the vehicle's entire wiring harness causing a costly bill.

"It was a nightmare," said Hall. "It was close to $2,000."

Collins Brown was having car trouble and was shocked to find out the cause. 

"When they called and said a rodent chewed through a wire in your car, I thought, holy cow," said Brown, who had over $250 dollars in damages to his Honda Accord. 

In January, some Honda owners filed a class action lawsuit demanding that the automaker pay for rodent-caused repairs. However, we learned that it is not only Honda cars being attacked by rodents. 

"It's unbelievable. It's terrible," said Ana Rodriguez of Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Rodriguez told our sister station, WSOC-TV, that her new Toyota Camry did not sound right even though it was only nine months old. The dealership said that chipmunks had feasted on the soy coated wires under her hood and caused over $2,000 in damage. She has to park her car outside and is worried that this will happen again. 

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"Now I am stuck with this problem," said Rodriquez. "It's too overwhelming for me." 

Animal care instructor Christy Blavelt said hungry mice will eat anything and will even use car parts and wires to file down their teeth. They also reproduce so where there is one mouse, there may be a dozen. 

"Their gestation is 21 days, so after 21 days you've got more mice and they get weaned at 21 days and they usually have ten to twelve in a litter," said Blavelt.

There are things you can do to protect your vehicle. IN 2010, Honda alerted dealerships to advise customers to use a special rodent-deterring tape to wrap wiring. Barry Hall says it will be worth the trouble. 

"It's wise to take that precaution," said Hall. "It just saves you money. 

Hall said he has also had luck with moth balls under the hood and other experts suggest you douse your car with coyote or fox urine that can be purchased online and at some hardware stores.