Car cover or no? garage-kept winter

[fastricky]

Yes valid points, I'll be sure to be vigilant on the rodent front, so far there has been no evidence of any (this is a new home for us). And I can easily add a dehumidifier...

[RogerRamJet77]

Yes valid points, I'll be sure to be vigilant on the rodent front, so far there has been no evidence of any (this is a new home for us). And I can easily add a dehumidifier...

 

 

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[RogerRamJet77]

 
Seems to me there are two issues.
 
Fluctuating temperatures are a component of moisture creation.  Hence the reason to drain an air compressor when not in use.  Internal moisture build up. (I welcome criticism on this as I'm not 100% on my physics.)   A dehumidifier or substitute would help keep the moisture in your garage to a minimum.
 
Secondly, when I think of detached, un-insulated garage, I think of gaps in the siding and entrances that will welcome rodents.  A thorough inspection and sealing of the structure would help.  Traps wouldn't hurt either.
 
 

The water in your compressor tank is from compressing the water vapor in the air and the air can hold more water vapor in warm summer air than in cold winter air.


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[fastricky]

Here's an idea - buy this stuff and spread all around the car? (Could be applied to a paper perimeter taped down around the car). Seems like it'd be unpenetratable?

Edited November 15, 2019 by fastricky

[Hans]

36 minutes ago, PaulTWinterton said:

 

 

 

Secondly, when I think of detached, un-insulated garage, I think of gaps in the siding and entrances that will welcome rodents.  A thorough inspection and sealing of the structure would help.  Traps wouldn't hurt either.

 

 

Or this.

[Toca]

What is B T D T?

[John_in_VA]

15 minutes ago, Toca said:

What is B T D T?

 

Been there, done that.

[bluehills2002]

I have been waging an on and off battle (generally losing) with the eastern field mouse at my New England house and garage for the last 20 years.  My observations: In addition to shelter, they still need food and water, so do not inadvertently provide that for them,  and be especially vigilant if there are changes in the neighborhood, such as neighbor digging a foundation, roadwork out front, high water table etc.  That tends to set them on the move, and you do not want them moving to your heater box. I’ve tried a lot of different products, but I’ve had the most success with the tried and true Dcon pellets (Obviously not an option if there are small children or grandchildren in the area,  it looks too much like candy).

[Mike Self]

I've been storing cars in unheated, detached garages for many years and fortunately haven't had a rodent problem...yet.  I do cover my cars with a lightweight cotton or other breathable fabric cover--old sheets or bedspreads work just fine.  I wouldn't cover a dirty car, as dragging the cover off and on a dirty car will scratch the paint.  

 

An effective way to keep rodents from getting through gaps--either in your car or the building--is to use coarse steel wool to plug small holes, and either hardware cloth or expanded metal mesh (comes in rolls for gutters) to cover larger holes, like the snorkel intake for your air cleaner, or under the heater plenum chamber inlet slots in your hood--and don't forget the exhaust pipe.  Mice won't chew into steel wool or hardware cloth.  That's been working for me not only on my cars, but on houses, where mice get from the basement into the living quarters through old plumbing or electrical access holes in the floor.

 

mike

[Whaledriver]

Decon works well but the rodents eat it and retire to their secluded wall space and die, leaving a inaccessible stench. With my previous collectible I had a blowup transparent enclosure that not only kept rodents out but kept it dust free. One for an average size car is around $400.

[gregp553]

Been storing cars in unheated garages for many years. Battery tender, loose fitting cover to avoid bumping and scratching the paint in tight spaces, and plastic on the concrete floor to avoid the moisture issue from below. I sometimes put bounce dryer sheets inside the car for a fresh scent and I sometimes throw some mothballs under the car on the floor. Mice supposedly don't like the smell. I give them plenty of D-con to eat and never had a problem with them smelling up the joint. D-Con I thought is supposed to eat them up from the inside to keep the smell down. Once found a collection of bird seed in a crease on the back of the car cover but have been lucky they have stayed out of my cars.

[fastricky]

On 11/15/2019 at 4:13 PM, fastricky said:

Here's an idea - buy this stuff and spread all around the car? (Could be applied to a paper perimeter taped down around the car). Seems like it'd be unpenetratable?

 

Sorry to quote myself here but this concept seems bulletproof to me and would last all season long with zero maintenance, and would take all of 20-30m to set up... anyone with experience have any thoughts before I commit to this?

Edited November 17, 2019 by fastricky