DIY
How to get rid of rats in car engines
If you’re dealing with rats living in your car, then here’s what you should know.
Content Updated: September 4, 2025
Key takeaways
- Rats often find their way into car engines thanks to the dark seclusion that they offer, as well as the warmth provided during the winter months.
- There’s speculation that new, plant-based material being used in cars attracts rats due to appearing like food.
- Rats can make it through surprisingly small holes, so it’s important to get damage done to your car patched up as soon as possible to prevent them from finding their way in.
- If you suspect you have rats in your car, it’s important to enlist the help of animal control and/or a professional mechanic to safely get rid of them.
- It’s important to be careful when cleaning and disinfecting after evicting any rats from your car. Stay diligent and stay safe.
Jump to section:
Why are rats attracted to cars?
How do I get rid of rats in car engines?
How should I clean my car if there were rats?
What should I avoid when getting rid of rats in my car engine?
How do I keep rats out of my car engine?
You’ve probably heard of rats looting around in the garbage or inhabiting sewers, but you may not have heard of rats finding their way into car engines. While it might seem hard to believe, it’s a situation that many have faced.
As unpleasant as the thought may be, it’s worse to find yourself facing the reality of it. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help you manage and get rid of rats in your car engine.
Why are rats attracted to cars?
Many rats look for dark, enclosed areas when finding places to take shelter, and under the hood of a car is particularly ideal. Plus, in the winter, the warmth makes car engines even more attractive to rodents in need of a home.
Some speculate that more rats are seeking refuge under car hoods and in engines because of an increase in plant-based biodegradable material that can seem like sources of food. In fact, there have even been class-action lawsuits against manufacturers like Honda and Toyota, claiming that new, soy-based wiring is what’s attracting these pesky rodents.
More often than not, rats are targeting cars parked in rat infested areas or areas they travel in, or cars that are rarely used—such as cars in storage for long periods of time. For this reason, certain measures should be taken specifically to protect cars in areas that rats are known to be.
How do I get rid of rats in car engines?
Whether a rat finds its way into your car because the biodegradable material seems tasty or because they were looking for a warm hideout doesn’t really matter when you’re focused on getting rid of them. This section details how to help get rid of rats hiding out in your car engine.
Prevention
Rats can sneak into places using much smaller holes than you might think possible. So, if you’re driving a car that has a rust hole and you think it’s far too small for a rat to crawl through, think again. It’s worth getting it and other similar damages repaired if you’re able. Also, you should be careful not to leave food in the car, which attracts rats or other rodents.
Safely inspect your car
If you suspect that you have rats hiding in your car, either because you’ve seen one or seen signs of one, such as chewed wires, nesting materials, or droppings, the first thing you should do is thoroughly inspect your car. Or, if you want greater peace of mind, you can also have a mechanic help you out.
Because rats are rodents that can carry and transmit diseases, it’s important to take extra precautions when inspecting your car:
- Wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt.
- Wear a mask so you don’t breathe in any contaminated rat byproducts.
- Cover your eyes with protective eye gear.
While the engine compartment is perhaps the most common place to find a stowaway rat, you should also check:
- The passenger compartments
- The trunk
- Underneath the hood
Be sure to go over every area carefully. After inspecting and confirming their presence, it’s best to contact a mechanic or animal control to help you get any rats out.
How should I clean my car if there were rats?
The CDC recommends using a commercially labeled disinfectant for cleaning. Here’s what you should do if you need to clean your car after rats have made a home in it:
- Spray all affected areas.
- Leave the disinfectant to sit for at least five minutes.
- Clean up the droppings or other byproducts with a paper towel, and make sure to keep your gloves on.
- Tightly seal the bag being used for collection and cover it with additional disinfectant.
- Discard everything immediately.
What should I avoid when getting rid of rats in my car engine?
If you find rat droppings or urine, don’t vacuum or power wash. These methods could distribute harmful germs and bacteria in the air. Instead, once the rats have been cleared out and things are properly disinfected, you can carefully clear droppings, nesting materials, or other byproducts.
If you’re cleaning out the engine compartment, the CDC recommends for you to disconnect the battery while you are cleaning and then only reconnect it after everything has dried.
How do I keep rats out of my car engine?
Traditional snap traps placed around your car can help you keep rats at bay, and they’re more likely to be effective than preventative liquids or tapes that haven’t yet had their scientific efficacy proven. Although, when using snap traps, you’ll have to be careful of unsuspecting children or other animals that may be harmed.
Please keep in mind, Terminix only services rat infestations that occur inside your home. Terminix does not service rat infestations in your engine, so please contact your mechanic and/or your local animal control office.
