A Ford Explorer owner was slapped with a huge repair bill courtesy of some uninvited passengers. The gross and expensive experience could happen to anyone\u2014even you.<\/p>\n
TikTok creator Shira McManus (@shiramcmanus1983) posted a video explaining that the little buggers infiltrated her car\u2019s engine bay. Then she shared a tip from her mechanic to help prevent it from happening again by using a common household item. But does it really help to keep vermin at bay? And is it safe to use?<\/p>\n
“This might be the most random video I\u2019ve ever posted. But we just spent $2,000 fixing our Ford Explorer that\u2019s brand new,” McManus says in the video. Then she reveals the root of the costly repair: “Because rodents got in and chewed a bunch of wires.”<\/p>\n
Then she pulls dryer sheets from a box resting on the outside lip of her engine bay. According to her, dryer sheets deter pests.<\/p>\n
“So the mechanic told me if you take dryer sheets and wrap them inside the engine bay and around where the battery is. That it will prevent rodents from coming in and chewing the wires. So now you know,” McManus continues.<\/p>\n
Do Dryer Sheets Repel Rodents?<\/p>\n
McManus\u2019 mechanic isn\u2019t the only person to suggest using dryer sheets to keep rodents<\/a> away. But the efficacy is debatable. Candor Pest Control<\/a> writes that “dryer sheets are often considered for their potential to repel mice in storage containers like totes and boxes.”<\/p>\n However, in the same post, the business notes that the scent is what ultimately keeps away rodents like mice, rats, and squirrels. Consequently, their effectiveness fades along with the scent, so you\u2019d need to replace them at regular intervals.<\/p>\n AAAC Wildlife Removal<\/a> agrees that dryer sheets aren\u2019t the best way to repel rodents.<\/p>\n “Dryer sheets might keep your laundry fresh, but they won\u2019t keep mice out of your home,” the company reports.<\/p>\n In comments on McManus\u2019 post, some warned her against putting dryer sheets in her engine<\/a>.<\/p>\n “No way! One comes loose from vibration or wind and gets caught in a belt or other moveable part and you’re gonna have a big problem,” one wrote. McManus replied, “Ok removing them asap!”<\/p>\n Several others cautioned that dryer sheets are a “fire hazard” as well.<\/p>\n Why Do Rodents Like To Chew Wires?<\/p>\n The idea that a rat or mouse would find wiring appealing may seem bizarre. So what makes them want to chomp on wires?<\/p>\n According to pest control company Coastal Spray<\/a>, it all boils down to the biological nature of these creatures. “Instinct, necessity, and dental health,” are the main reasons why rats gnaw on wiring, the business says.<\/p>\n The malleable materials used in crafting wires present a perfect way for rodents to keep the growth of their incisors in check. Once they reach the metallic portion of a cable or wire, they tend to stop, leaving its insides exposed. This can cause power outages, malfunctioning wiring, or even an electrical fire.<\/p>\n Obviously, keeping rodents out of your vehicle is crucial.<\/p>\n Engine Bays Provide Shelter<\/p>\n The primary reasons any critter seeks refuge inside a vehicle are simple: protection and warmth.<\/p>\n The nooks and crannies inside an engine shield them from the elements. Plus, rodents instinctively like to burrow in small spaces to avoid predators.<\/p>\n The heat from the engine can also provide a relatively pleasant habitat, Cobb Tire notes. The company adds that rodents often use wiring harnesses as nesting materials.<\/p>\n Many Americans have dealt with rodent damage in their vehicles. Cobb Tire<\/a> says that 29% of US drivers have had their vehicles damaged by rodents biting through internal components.<\/p>\n