Question about storage
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: St-Redempteur,Qc.
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 8,755
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Can't see a downside to recirc closed (mice), windows cracked (moisture). Thoughts?
Instead of mothballs, saw a rodent repellent in the store, mint based. Apparently they hate the smell. Would rather be greeted with that in spring than the formaldehyde odor of mothballs. Perhaps more friendly to your lungs as well.
Also consider using one of those renewable dessicant bags. Jumbo version of the do not eat packages everything ships with. Absorbs moisture, then you microwave and reuse. Amazon. Probably last a whole storage season before needs renew.
Instead of mothballs, saw a rodent repellent in the store, mint based. Apparently they hate the smell. Would rather be greeted with that in spring than the formaldehyde odor of mothballs. Perhaps more friendly to your lungs as well.
Also consider using one of those renewable dessicant bags. Jumbo version of the do not eat packages everything ships with. Absorbs moisture, then you microwave and reuse. Amazon. Probably last a whole storage season before needs renew.
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 234
From: Mid-Atlantic
Yeah I guess you can really drive yourself crazy, like I said I'm good at overthinking things. I've never considered what any of the HVAC settings are before in the 18 years I've been storing the car and never had an issue with mold or mice in the car. I did have a mouse get in the airbox two years ago so there is always a first for everything. I seal up the airbox and exhaust now to alleviate that problem.
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Guy I know does this. He still had a car full of mice last winter lol. But even though mice get into my garage, I have rarely had any sign they got under the hood of the S2k, which I took no precautions with in terms of mice. Seems hit and miss there but I think having the traps near the wheels has to help some. I mean that is likely the place they are climbing up onto the car.
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 2,479
Can't see a downside to recirc closed (mice), windows cracked (moisture). Thoughts?
Instead of mothballs, saw a rodent repellent in the store, mint based. Apparently they hate the smell. Would rather be greeted with that in spring than the formaldehyde odor of mothballs. Perhaps more friendly to your lungs as well.
Also consider using one of those renewable dessicant bags. Jumbo version of the do not eat packages everything ships with. Absorbs moisture, then you microwave and reuse. Amazon. Probably last a whole storage season before needs renew.
Instead of mothballs, saw a rodent repellent in the store, mint based. Apparently they hate the smell. Would rather be greeted with that in spring than the formaldehyde odor of mothballs. Perhaps more friendly to your lungs as well.
Also consider using one of those renewable dessicant bags. Jumbo version of the do not eat packages everything ships with. Absorbs moisture, then you microwave and reuse. Amazon. Probably last a whole storage season before needs renew.
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 986
Likes: 10
From: 12m SW of Glen Rose, Tx
Small rodents can get in through the exit vent for the positive cabin ventilation anyway. Located on the rear wall of the trunk. I know this from experience.
Last edited by Gregg Lee; Nov 10, 2021 at 07:15 AM. Reason: clarified wording
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 252
Likes: 11
From: Columbia, Maryland
My two cents.
From the RV world, most of the rodent things you hear are generally of little help. Mint stuff, Irish Spring soap, steel wool in openings. Most say they eat the soap and use the materials to help make nests!
The mice killers they eat are problematic because they then leave in search of water and are often eaten by other birds and animals that can be injured.
I'm in Maryland and randomly, rare winters, mice visit our house. Built another house in a new development in Virginia and was overrun in November with mice "moving in" from the cold so consider that.
I do all the stuff on the lists, batteries of all on tenders (can put several on one tender, use jumper cables to connect them), high pressure in tires, on boards/insulation in garage, roof unlatched, windows down 1/2", full fuel tank, fresh oil change (get the contaminates and acid out).
I put a mothball or two at the intake, one or more in each exhaust and one on a board in the floor. May have to replace in Jan-Feb as they dissolve over time.
I put regular, old-school, cheap mousetraps baited with chunky peanut butter wedged in them all around the perimeter of the garage. Sticky traps OK but kind of nasty, would rather them just be dead than dragging the sticky around suffering.
I have zero problems with the moth ball smell after a week in spring with the roof open so no biggie, just don't put it on any actual carpet or car surface.
From the RV world, most of the rodent things you hear are generally of little help. Mint stuff, Irish Spring soap, steel wool in openings. Most say they eat the soap and use the materials to help make nests!
The mice killers they eat are problematic because they then leave in search of water and are often eaten by other birds and animals that can be injured.
I'm in Maryland and randomly, rare winters, mice visit our house. Built another house in a new development in Virginia and was overrun in November with mice "moving in" from the cold so consider that.
I do all the stuff on the lists, batteries of all on tenders (can put several on one tender, use jumper cables to connect them), high pressure in tires, on boards/insulation in garage, roof unlatched, windows down 1/2", full fuel tank, fresh oil change (get the contaminates and acid out).
I put a mothball or two at the intake, one or more in each exhaust and one on a board in the floor. May have to replace in Jan-Feb as they dissolve over time.
I put regular, old-school, cheap mousetraps baited with chunky peanut butter wedged in them all around the perimeter of the garage. Sticky traps OK but kind of nasty, would rather them just be dead than dragging the sticky around suffering.
I have zero problems with the moth ball smell after a week in spring with the roof open so no biggie, just don't put it on any actual carpet or car surface.