Rats, How to keep rats at bay while storing for long periods Options

[able2222]

Storing my 914 in the carport under a cover, opened the engine compartment and all I could see was two carburetors and a sea of acorns and rat poop.
Short of a snake or a cat what are some of the best ways to keep rats out of your car while storing it for long periods?

Thanks for your responses.

[bbrock]

I live in the boonies and have a couple vehicles that have to stay outside. Mice are a constant issue. The only thing I've found that keeps them at bay is a product called Fresh Cab which you should be able to find at your local hardware store. It is a potpourri of balsam and some other stuff that looks like snake oil. But it works! The only thing is that you have to keep it fresh. I keep two packets in my snow plow and I find if I don't change it after a couple months, I start finding mouse poop on the floor mats. Moth balls can work but are carcinogenic. Other substances that have shown a significant repellent effect in scientific (although small sample size) studies are: wintergreen oil, chilli, peppermint oil, bergamot oil, eucalyptus oil, and geranium oil although I have no direct experience with them or know how long they remain effective.

Don't use poison bait. That often winds up killing dogs, cats, and other animals, and does little to stop the damage since there is an endless supply of rodents to keep coming in. You want to exclude or repel them instead. But repellents can only go so far. Exclusion, when possible, is the only real solution. I'm a wildlife biologist, so it's my job to know these things. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)