Rodents are not only painful for the household, but also they are a great hazard for the cars. Vehicle owners know very well how wicked the mice are! They cut away electrical wiring and seat covers.
They are also the carrier of many diseases. However, by using repellents, I almost got rid of them from my car. This is the easiest way to control the outbreak of rodents. Normally, rodent repellents are of different kinds.
You can use spray, liquid, or even electronic or ultrasonic repellents in your vehicle. Since I get a lot of questions about the best rodent repellent for cars, I decided to make a list of that for you guys. So, here we go.
Table of Contents
Best Rodent Repellent For Cars – Reviews
You can use the rodent repellents in your car that you normally use in your home. There is no specific characteristic for the rodent repellent for cars. However, you should consider the ease of application and efficacy. Here I have listed the 7 best repellents that I think you can use in your car.
1. Angveirt Under Hood Rodent Repeller
This is a modern battery operated repellent for the mice. This specific product is from Angviert. There are several other ultrasonic rodent repellents of this category. However, this model worked best for me.
The thing I like most about ultrasound repellents is they have not any chemical side effects. This is an electrical tool that works by producing ultrasounds that are not loved by rats and mice. Besides, the LED lighting also keeps the rodents away.
It is equally effective for small rats or even large chipmunks. This repellent is powered by three AA batteries and the backup is quite satisfactory. The manufacturer is claiming a 45 days battery life in always-on mode.
There is a great auto on/off feature in this tool. It can detect vibration and only runs while your car engine is completely off. That means it will help you save battery power which is a big deal, indeed.
You can install this repellent easily under the hood of your car. The battery replacement is also an easy task. Overall, this tool is very effective for those who want a hassle-free procedure for getting rid of the rodents.
Pros
- The ultrasonic sound is inaudible and not harmful to humans.
- A mode for checking whether it is functioning by converting it to an audible sound.
- You don’t need any hassle of wiring and cable management.
- Intelligent power on/off features saves the cost of the battery to a great extent.
Cons
- Not very effective for severe rodent outbreaks.
2. Mighty Mint Rodent Repellent Spray
This is a rodent repellent spray from the Mighty Mint. Some people like the spray because it can enter into the difficult corners of the household. This is why I recommend sprayers for use inside the cars.
The key selling point of this spray is that it is safe for kids and pets. Besides, it will not directly kill the rodents. This is why it is completely humane. The manufacturer hasn’t used any kind of toxic chemicals in this solution.
Rather it is entirely produced from organic ingredients such as peppermint. But, don’t underestimate the power of this solution. It provides long-lasting protection against mice, rats, etc.
The concentration of the peppermint in the solution was quite high. I didn’t expect this at this price point. Yet, for better protection in your car, apply the spray after every 2-3 days. You will see the result after using it for a week or two.
The application procedure is very easy. You don’t even need any technical skills, unlike electric repellents. Overall, by analyzing the price to performance ratio, I think this is the best rodent repellent spray for cars to buy right now.
Pros
- Made from organic materials with no toxicity.
- Peppermint flavor is great for those who can not tolerate chemical odors.
- It doesn’t affect any components inside the car.
- The price is lower than the electric repellents.
Cons
- Not that effective for driving away large rodents.
3. Loraffe Repeller Rodent Repellent
This is yet another ultrasonic rodent repellent with a different outlook. But it works great like all other electronic repellents out there. This repellent is made by Loraffe, and they are famous for pest controlling ultrasound products.
The first thing that I noticed about this repellent is build quality. This is excellent with a glossy finish. The plastic is heat resistant and the heat inside the car hood will not create any damage to it. Loraffe rodent repellents are specially designed for the vehicles.
You can install it easily under the hood of the card by connecting it with the car battery. Hence, it doesn’t need an external power supply which is a big deal. It has three different strobe lights for driving the mice away.
The ultrasonic wave generator is very effective against rodents. The manufacturer added a protective feature into this tool that stops the tool while the battery voltage is low and the car is running. It saves battery power and makes the battery last longer.
Overall, this is an excellent choice if you are willing to go for electrical tools. But I will discourage you from using this on your hybrid or fully electric vehicles like Tesla where the battery pack is at the back of the car.
Pros
- It doesn’t require external battery packs for supplying power.
- This repellent can save power by using the auto standby feature.
- It generates variable ultrasonic waves with powerful strobe lighting.
- The build quality is great with longer-lasting electrical circuits.
Cons
- Not suitable for hybrid or FE vehicles for battery positioning.
4. Loraffe Battery Powered Repeller
This is a powerful repellent for your car. It can drive away large rodents as well as some other small animals of the rodent group. Loraffe has a wide range of animal repellents in the different price segments.
This one blew my mind. The strobe lights are very powerful. It can distract the rodents by applying the focus of the light in their eyes. However, the ultrasonic sound generator is the most impressive thing.
It generates sound waves that are far beyond human capacity. Hence, it will not damage human ears. Besides, I observed the effectiveness just within two days of installing this. So, this tool is not a gimmick at all.
The build quality is superb. It works with external batteries. Hence there is not any scope for worrying about damaging your car battery. Also, you can install this on your full electric and hybrid vehicles. It has all the necessary features like low power warning and auto standby mode.
Overall, you can’t complain about anything about this at this price point. However, if they had included the batteries inside the package it would be awesome. Other than that this is absolutely a steal.
Pros
- Compatible with all types of vehicles including electric and hybrid.
- The build quality is rugged with a gorgeous glossy finish.
- You don’t need to worry about wiring and cable management.
- Generates sound waves of 25000 to 55000 Hz that is not harmful to humans.
Cons
- The manufacturer doesn’t provide compatible batteries with the packs.
5. Angveirt Battery Operated Rodent Repellent
This is yet another ultrasonic repellent by Angviert. But this repellent is slightly different than the previous one in build quality and aesthetics.
The design is quite modern and classy. There are three different LEDs of different colors. Besides, there are two openings for sound waves. It can produce a wide range of frequencies from 25000 Hz to 55000 Hz.
This is the optimum frequency that can drive away rodents without hampering humans and pets. I love the fact that you can place it anywhere in your car with a clamp. Being a battery-operated tool you don’t even need any extra cables.
Battery life is an important aspect of a rodent repellent. It’s not that convenient to open this up for battery replacement too often. Luckily you are getting a two months-long battery life from the C type alkaline batteries that are impressive.
Overall, Angviert mice repellents are very reliable with excellent customer support. Besides, the installation is very easy with the provided instruction manual. This is a great buy if you don’t wanna share your car with the rodents.
Pros
- It can also be placed anywhere other than your car.
- Surprisingly good battery life with alkaline battery packs.
- Green and red lighting effects for scaring the rodents away.
- The manufacturer has great after-sales support.
Cons
- Not effective for large squirrels.
6. Angveirt Mice Rodent Repellent
Angveirt car repellents are very popular among car owners for driving away rodents. I am also very much satisfied with the service of their products. Hence, I am including this another rodent repellent from them on this list.
The design is a bit compact. Normally the rodent repellents have a boxy design. But the manufacturer has gone with an ergonomic and futuristic look in this repellent. Hence you can place it anywhere in your car without even hiding it under the hood.
Since it doesn’t need external batteries, you can directly connect it with the vehicle battery. Some people have a misconception that these repellents can damage the car battery. However, this is just a myth. You are getting a low voltage protection feature that will protect your car battery.
The installation is very straightforward and beginner-friendly. The strobe lighting and ultrasonic frequency altogether can drive away rodents. It is very effective and draws a small amount of power from the battery.
Overall, this is an excellent addition to your car for fighting the outbreak of rodents. If you have a costly car with great interior design you must pick this to protect them from the rats.
Pros
- This is the most humane solution against rodents.
- The lighting and ultrasonic frequency work alternatingly for maximum effect.
- It can be mounted under the hood of your car by using zip ties.
- Angveirt repellents can turn off when the battery voltage is low.
Cons
- The LEDs are quite small which is a downside.
7. Essentially KateS Peppermint Essential Oil
The last option in this list to get rid of rodents is peppermint oil. If you have to take pets and kids in your car it’s not a wise idea to put toxic materials for the mice. On the other hand, electric repellents also have some obvious shortcomings.
This is when the peppermint essential oil comes into play. Peppermint oil has a lot of use cases. One of them is repelling the mice and rodents. This is the most organic way to control the outbreak of mice in your car.
This peppermint oil is directly imported from the Indian subcontinent. This is why you don’t need to worry about the purity of the oil. Besides, the oil is highly concentrated which is very effective even for cleaning your car from the microbes carried by rodents.
The smell seems very pleasant in my nose. Besides, I got rid of the mice within a very short period. The seller also provides detailed instructions with the bottle that will help you to understand how to use this effectively.
Using peppermint oil as a rodent repellent is like a DIY project. You have to take some hassle to make it work. Otherwise, this is a low-cost option without any side effects on your pets and kids.
Pros
- The seller will send you an ebook through email about the procedure.
- You will get a glass dropper that will help you to apply the oil.
- Highly effective against the mice under your car seats.
- There is a full refund option available if you don’t get satisfactory results.
Cons
- The application is not that convenient like ready-made repellent sprays.
Best Rodent Repellent For Cars – Buying Guide
The rodent repellents that work for your household will also work on your cars. However, there are some things that you must consider while buying a rodent repellent for your car. It will make it much easier for you to drive away mice and other animals.
Since you can use different types of repellents in your car, the buying guide also varies from type to type. But here I am going to give you an overall idea of how you can choose the best rodent repellent for cars. This checklist will even help you to decide for yourself without listening to anyone.
For Electric Repellents:
Build Quality: Build quality is the most crucial factor of an electric repellent. Most of the rodent repellents are intended to use under the hood of the car. Due to the excessive heat caused by the engine, normal materials can be melted.
This is why you should choose a repellent with quality material. Almost all the rodent repellents come with a plastic shell. ABS plastics are of high grade. You should also look for how much stress and heat they can take.
Power Delivery: This is another vital aspect of an electric rodent repellent. All the electric repellents need the power to run. Some have internal battery compartments for taking power from the alkaline batteries.
Some batteryless repellents can directly connect with the main battery of the car to function properly. Both have some good sides and bad sides. You can not install a batteryless repellent under the hood when it is a hybrid or fully electric vehicle.
On the other hand, repellents needing external alkaline batteries can be a hassle for many people. You need to cost extra bucks for buying batteries after a certain period. Sometimes, if the repellent draws power from the car battery, it may become damaged if you don’t take proper measures.
Overall, both of the electric repellents are good for fighting rodents. You can choose any type based on your car type and overall situation. If you don’t have any problem replacing batteries periodically I will suggest you go for a repellent with external batteries.
Ultrasonic Frequency: Electric repellents normally drive away rodents by generating ultrasonic sound waves. Ultrasonic sound is a special kind of sound that has a frequency that is beyond human capacity. Hence, this sound is inaudible by humans.
The interesting fact is that the rats, mice, squirrels, and other animals of rodent groups can hear this sound. It feels irritating to their brain and causes them to run away from the repellent. This is how repellents work. Normally, the ultrasonic frequency is not harmful to humans.
But you should always try to buy repellents from reputed brands so that you can rely on them. Normally, the repellents have worked between 25000 to 55000 Hz frequency. Some repellents support a narrower range of frequency. In that case, it will be less effective for the rodents.
Strobe Lighting: Some ultrasonic repellents have built-in strobe lights for extra effectiveness. The strobe lighting is based on some LEDs. Those can be of different colors. Normally, the ultrasonic wave and strobe lighting work alternatingly.
The more LEDs your repellent has, the more effective it will be against the rodents. Another important factor is that strobe lighting uses more power from the battery. So, you should keep a good balance between the number of LEDs while choosing the electric repellents.
Installation System: No matter whether it is the best rodent repellent for cars in terms of effectiveness, everything will go in vain if the installation is not hassle-free. Normally the ultrasonic repellents come with a clamping feature that helps you to mount them anywhere in the car.
You can even use zip ties to hang them under the hood of the car. If the repellent runs with an internal battery you don’t have to think about cable management. Otherwise, cable management and wiring will be an issue.
Hence I will suggest you look for an easy to install repellent. If you don’t bother going to a professional for the installation then you can choose any of them. But you should try to learn the installation technique because it will help you to replace the batteries without the help of others.
For Chemical Repellents:
Some people prefer chemical repellents for fighting rodent outbreaks. But you must be extra careful while using toxic elements. They are very effective against rodents. But also they can cause harm to the kids and pets.
On the other hand, it is better to use organic elements such as peppermint essential oil. They are very good at repelling rodents. Besides, they don’t have any kind of side effects. But try to get the most concentrated essential oil so that it works effectively.
Frequently asked Questions
Q. How Do I Keep Rodents Out of My Engine Compartment?
If your garage is prone to rodents you should never leave your engine compartment open for a long time. Using chemical repellents is not that effective to fight rodents in the engine compartment. But you can use ultrasonic rodent repellents with strobe lighting to keep the rodents out of your car.
Q. What Smell Do Rats Hate The Most?
The mice have a good sense of smell. This is why they come where they smell the smell of delicious food or something. But the fun fact is you can use the smell of some materials to drive them away. Because they can’t tolerate the smell of some essential oils. Peppermint oil, castor oil, citronella oil are some of them.
Q. Will Vinegar Deter Rats?
Rats can not tolerate strong smells. The vinegar has smells but it is not that strong. However, white vinegar has the strongest scent. This is why it is most effective against rodents. You can soak cotton balls with vinegar to repel rats which is a highly effective and low-cost solution.
Q. Does Bleach Keep Rats Away?
If you keep some bleach open inside your car or garage it will not let the rats come close to it. The excessive and strong smell of bleach is not that sweet to the rats. Another interesting fact is that if any rat eats a small portion of the bleach it will surely die. Breach acts as a strong poison to the small rodents.
Q. Why Does Onion Kill Rats?
Normally the onions can’t kill rats. However, the smell of the onion seems as bad as they seem to humans. They can not tolerate the smell of the onion. This is why they don’t come close to it. If you put some sliced onions it will be a highly effective and non-toxic way of repelling rats.
Q. How Do You Kill Rats Naturally?
There are a lot of ways to kill rats naturally. Some will just drive them away. But the procedure is quite easy and you can easily find those materials in your home. The peppermint oil, bleaching powder, ammonia spray, plaster of Paris, onions, etc works great for repelling rodents.
Final Thoughts
Mice are quite irritating. Getting rid of them completely is not an easy task. It takes some time. However, by using any of the above-reviewed products, you should get rid of them as soon as possible. I think this listing has helped you to choose the best rodent repellent that will help you to get a rodent-free car.
Last update on 2024-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API