Rodents Continue Eating Car

Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2026 11:48pm

4 replies4 members subscribed

MORF

Posts: 188

44 helpful points

Location: Catral

Joined: 24 May 2019

Hello everyone,

I ask if anyone can shed some advice?

I originate from out back Australia and now reside in the campo area of Catral, where we have just purchased a new Toyota Car, after being parked in driveway of the villa, we have noticed vermin damaging & eating the insulation of the car under the hood / bonnet area.

Photos attached of damage to engine insulation under bonnet.

I already have placed rat poison and have a “so called vermin deterrent” that continues putting out a noise that is supposed to deter rats / mice etc.

ALL to no bloody success whatsoever, these palm rats or whatever is eating into the car insulation & has already eaten the A/C filter.

Does anyone know of a way to STOP these critters from eating their way through the cars parked in our driveway?

I mentioned about my origin back in outback Australia, as never in Australia have I encountered such problems with rats / mice or whatever rodents are taking a liking to our new Toyota car insulation and A/C filter foam!

Any local knowledge of a viable deterrent to this problem would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for reading.

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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2026 9:01am

John123456

Super helpful member

Posts: 2286

1689 helpful points

Location: Benidorm

Joined: 27 Feb 2021

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2026 9:01am

I haven't experienced this problem but perhaps this may help:

Rodents eating car wires is a common, costly issue in Spain, driven by modern car manufacturers using eco-friendly, soy-based insulation that appeals to rats, mice, and pine martens. To stop them, protect your engine with ultrasonic deterrents, apply capsaicin (hot pepper) tape, or spray a mixture of peppermint oil regularly.

To protect your vehicle's wiring from further damage, you can implement the following solutions:

Commercial Sprays: Apply a specialized anti-rodent spray (such as Liqui Moly Marder Spray or Wurth Rodent Repellent) to wires and plastics. These leave a bitter, sticky film that animals dislike.
Rodent-Deterrent Tape: Visit an auto parts store in Spain and ask for "rodent tape" or "Honda tape". This is an electrical harness tape infused with capsaicin (chili pepper extract) that stops them from chewing.
Check Your Insurance: In Spain, if your policy includes a todo riesgo (comprehensive) includes coverage for unexpected animal damage, your insurer may cover the repair or replacement of the wiring loom.

No doubt a forum member with first hand experience may have better solutions.

Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2026 11:32am

Just me

Posts: 31

11 helpful points

Location: Rojales

Joined: 18 Jul 2024

Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2026 11:32am

Hi,also had this problem in belgium and people advice me to try toilet blocks with lemon sence.I put 1 in the rear 1 on the left and 1 on the richt side in the engine compartment and it seems to work.

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Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2026 11:13pm

Badger1234

Helpful member

Posts: 741

374 helpful points

Location: Los Balcones

Joined: 8 May 2025

Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2026 11:13pm

You could do a Jasper Carrot.

Get a shotgun and blow it's bleeding head off.

Sorry. I couldn't resist.

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Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2026 12:10pm

Durango

Posts: 70

25 helpful points

Location: Catral

Joined: 23 Jul 2021

Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2026 12:10pm

MORF wrote on Wed Jun 17, 2026 11:48pm:
Hello everyone,
I ask if anyone can shed some advice?

Read more...

I originate from out back Australia and now reside in the campo area of Catral, where we have just purchased a new Toyota Car, after being parked in driveway of the villa, we have noticed vermin damaging & eating the insulation of the car under the hood / bonnet area.
Photos attached of damage to engine insulation under bonnet.
I already have placed rat poison and have a “so called vermin deterrent” that continues putting out a noise that is supposed to deter rats / mice etc.
ALL to no bloody success whatsoever, these palm rats or whatever is eating into the car insulation & has already eaten the A/C filter.
Does anyone know of a way to STOP these critters from eating their way through the cars parked in our driveway?
I mentioned about my origin back in outback Australia, as never in Australia have I encountered such problems with rats / mice or whatever rodents are taking a liking to our new Toyota car insulation and A/C filter foam!
Any local knowledge of a viable deterrent to this problem would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for reading.

Go to Big Reds animal charity and rehome a couple of mature cats who’ll will live on your property , rodents rats palm rats will die. We have feral cats who’ll we feed on Alannia Costa Blanca we have no rats, rodents, mice , cockroaches, snakes they hunt all and kill them .