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Mice in cabin of XJ

Old 03-16-2012, 10:02 PM
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Default Mice in cabin of XJ

I have an all stock 1998 XJ in fairly good condition, except for one thing. I have pulled out three mice nests in the past 6 months, 2 in the past 3 days. the nests are in the same spot every time. unerneath the back bench right next to the jack.

Does anybody know how to keep them out? so far they haven't ruined anything that i have noticed. but i would like to take care of this before it is to late. I live in a vary rural area, but i never leave my doors open or windows down when i am parked. and i do park outside.

we had a '96 Astro sitting in the yard, not being driven, for a while a few years ago that had a lot of mice, but the mice never got past the weather stripping.
Old 03-16-2012, 10:18 PM
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Nests in the same spot? How about add a mousetrap to the mix?
Old 03-16-2012, 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by dm224a
I have an all stock 1998 XJ in fairly good condition, except for one thing. I have pulled out three mice nests in the past 6 months, 2 in the past 3 days. the nests are in the same spot every time. unerneath the back bench right next to the jack.

Does anybody know how to keep them out? so far they haven't ruined anything that i have noticed. but i would like to take care of this before it is to late. I live in a vary rural area, but i never leave my doors open or windows down when i am parked. and i do park outside.

we had a '96 Astro sitting in the yard, not being driven, for a while a few years ago that had a lot of mice, but the mice never got past the weather stripping.
U need to figure out how there getting in and if wen u remove the nest do u remove the mice?
Old 03-16-2012, 10:28 PM
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You need to check for holes.. because when i think about it i cant think of where a mouse could get into the jeep with all the doors and windows closed. Maybe check the floorboards for rust holes, especially right there where the jack is stored under the carpet, i know i had a hole there on each side under the seat on mine. Have you checked all of your seals? I dont think they would really be able to get through the doors, but i think a mouse could slip through the hatch if the seal was missing in places. Also check the firewall, you may be missing some grommits leaving a nice hole for them to climb into.
Old 03-16-2012, 10:35 PM
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I had mice in my old car... Never ruined anything. I kept however finding corn kernels and various seeds stored in the oddest places. Wired thing is... They're no where to be found when you're looking for them. Never figured out where or how they where getting in... Maybe through the engine compartment, and through the dash. Who knows.
Old 03-16-2012, 10:45 PM
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The most likely places id say they are hiding are probably up in the dash, up on top of the wiring and around the radio and heater/AC controls. maybe even close to the heater core up above the plastic.
Old 03-16-2012, 10:47 PM
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Originally Posted by xj_maniac_newb
The most likely places id say they are hiding are probably up in the dash, up on top of the wiring and around the radio and heater/AC controls. maybe even close to the heater core up above the plastic.
Then they're probably chewing up wires
Old 03-16-2012, 10:48 PM
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haha well he'll hear a pop eventually and he'll know he's got one down, a few to go
Old 03-17-2012, 10:07 AM
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Dryer sheets. You know, those little good smelling sheets you throw in with your laundry?

Litter your interior with those. It has two benefits - one, it makes your interior smell so good, and two, the mice don't like the smell, so they stay away.

I used them in the interior of my Cutlass every year I put it in storage, never had a problem. A lot of classic car guys use these over mothballs because mothballs smell awful. Pretty popular and common to use dryer sheets to repel mice.

Give it a try and let us know how it goes!
Old 03-17-2012, 10:54 AM
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I hate meeces to pieces! Meeces got in our Subaru Forester but never in my XJ. The first time it happened following body shop services for repair of rear end damage. Good ol' snap traps resolved the problem. I baited them with my dad's first choice in mousetrap bait - peanut buttered cheesecloth wads. When evidence of the critters showed-up the second time, I searched/found their entry point. The rubber hole plugs were missing from the spare tire well of the Sube. Duct tape was the temporary solution until the rubber plugs were recovered.
Old 03-17-2012, 04:11 PM
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Put a cat in it.
Old 03-17-2012, 04:58 PM
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Originally Posted by BrofessorXJ
Put a cat in it.
X2 lol that'd work
Old 03-17-2012, 08:01 PM
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Or a Jack Russel
Old 03-17-2012, 10:45 PM
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Look for a air freshener called
http://www.earth-kind.com/products/

I deal with a lot of grain farmers that have mice problems.
This stuff keeps the mice out, and has a pine sent.
Old 03-18-2012, 01:06 AM
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Get peppermint oil and either put it on cotton ***** and stuff them where the mice are or mix it with water (2 tsp per 1 cup water) and spray the inside of your Jeep (I'd test it to make sure it doesn't stain your interior). Mice hate peppermint. Mothballs work as well, but they stink and you have to replace them for them occasionally to stay effective.

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