Unwelcome surprise this evening

[jays2000]

I started up my Stinger this evening, and as soon as I put it into reverse, I noticed the car stumbling and vibrating. I immediately put it back into park and turned off the engine.

My first thought is that I somehow managed to foul up my new NGK plugs, or a plug boot came loose, or perhaps that I got some really bad gasoline.

I popped the hood and pulled off the engine cover to find this:



RATS! To say I'm pissed is an understatement. At least one of the coil pack wires is completely chewed through. Coincidentally we noticed more scat than usual in our garage earlier today.

Besides a band-aid, grass, and some plastic, the bulk of the nest appears to be black insulation that looks like pipe insulation (or a pool noodle). Any ideas on where this might have come from, assuming it came from my vehicle? Besides some gnawing marks here and there, nothing else I can see looks damaged. The underside of the engine cover is also chewed on, but it's a different material.

I'm submitting an insurance claim in the morning. Anyone who's gone through this with advice to offer would be greatly appreciated.

 

[OliverNuther]

Bummer. Can’t help with insurance advice but this is how I would be solving the root cause of your problem.

 

[ShannonC]

Doubt insurance would cover damage caused by vermin but it may be different in your country. Use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of the mess?

 

[Nasscar]

Little bastards. That is disgraceful. Imagine telling your insurance company...a rat ate it.

 

[Kamauxx]

Your insurance comp coverage should cover the repair costs.

But most importantly, where the hell do you park?!

 

[bearstinger]

Unreal! We have mice here luckily no rats. I put out those mice blocks in dog proof containers. Tomcat. Keeps them under control. They love to move into our basement this time of year.

So sad

I agree the comp coverage should cover it.

 

[bearstinger]

But most importantly, where the hell do you park?!

He said in his garage, I want to know where he lives!

We had rats move into our house is FL, the tenant that died was a food hoarder, the rats had a party while she was in the hospital. It took us 4 months to get them out and then we had to tear out dry wall etc to remove the urine poo smells. Throw out the brand new refrigerator, stove, they chewed up the wires and any insulation they could reach, ate through electric wires in the kitchen walls. We did not file a claim, did the work ourselves. Did hire a company to fight the rats, they call them roof rats down there.

 

[Kamauxx]

He said in his garage, I want to know where he lives!

We had rats move into our house is FL, the tenant that died was a food hoarder, the rats had a party while she was in the hospital. It took us 4 months to get them out and then we had to tear out dry wall etc to remove the urine poo smells. Throw out the brand new refrigerator, stove, they chewed up the wires and any insulation they could reach, ate through electric wires in the kitchen walls. We did not file a claim, did the work ourselves. Did hire a company to fight the rats, they call them roof rats down there.

I'm so glad I'm no longer a landlord. Some of the worst/most stressful times of my life...

 

[jays2000]

Thanks all.

I'm in the Dallas area of Texas. We had a cold front move through this week. We also have bait boxes around the perimeter of our home and just had service a week ago.

 

[Ohiocruiser]

I'm so glad I'm no longer a landlord. Some of the worst/most stressful times of my life...

With direction the country is going, you gotta be a fool to become one. Had to throw that idea away.

 

[bearstinger]

I'm so glad I'm no longer a landlord. Some of the worst/most stressful times of my life...

We managed to sell three Florida units right before covid hit! Hubby bought them when he was going down to help his parents, dad a bit of dementia, mom altzheimers. He would buy and fix up and rent. Two tenants died, one moved out ,early 2019, we went down Oct of last year, fixed up some of the stuff, hired some help to do some of the work and SOLD, the last sale was early Feb 2020. We came home mid Feb this year.

At one time we had 8 places, two in MD, one in AZ, 5 in FL. Yeah stress city. The baltimore unit was the worse rental.

We still have his parents house that we visit a few months a year, right now his son is doing virtual teaching from Fl, living in our place rent free lol.

We still have one house here that we rent, the tenants love it! We get the rent on time no can't pay due to life. Eventually will sale it.

Back to your rats! I sure hope your insurance covers it, they should it is a comprehensive type of damage, you sure did not do it! That is unreal. After they did what they did to our house it is eye opening what damage they can do and do quickly.

 

[GenesisG70]

Sorry all what I can say is holly shit.

 

[jays2000]

FWIW, I found the source of the foam material used for the nest: It's insulating foam that surrounds the radiator. One side is completely chewed down. In the pic you can also see some "presents" left behind while they worked.



There's a 50/50 chance the damage isn't covered by my insurance despite having comprehensive coverage. The policy states that it covers damage from animals, but it's worded such that it covers a collision with an animal. Maybe they'll file it under vandalism?

Wish me luck...

 

[SKStinger]

Nasty. The location of the nest is also right above your cabin air filter. If you haven't already, take a look at that.

 

[bearstinger]

So sad.....................

 

[westcoastGT]

I had chewed wires that caused the tranny to shift roughly , Kia repaired the damaged wires , $350 , I bought one of those hi frequency electrical devises and sprayed the exposed wires with a rodent repellent, so far no repeats or problems

 

[MerlintheMad]

I've been putting Alley Cat out for the neighborhood feral kitties; have attracted quite a parade of them. I don't FEED them, I entice them (only enough to make them come around, not get filled up), and encourage competition. This I did when I SAW with my own eyes, a little mousy tail disappear under the RR corner of my hood, while on the freeway!!?? Probably as soon as we stopped and went into the wedding reception, the stupid rodent escaped the moving hell. Haven't seen any trace of a mouse since. (Rats, I cannot even begin to contemplate!)

Time to go check the cabin filter, aaagain.

 

[bearstinger]

I just went out and checked mine..................and put out anti mouse stuff!

 

[jays2000]

Good news... the damage is covered by my policy (under comprehensive).

The repair shop will be out tomorrow to tow it in. No idea yet how long this will take.

 

[Silvermanor]

Burn it