Here in No. Arizona pack rats will get into auto engine compartments and chew on wiring. My Model 3 will be parked outside for a month, does anyone know if I need to have the pack rat deterrent (flashing light) installed?
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Pack rat deterrent
- Thread starter mr.ottley
- Start date
Akikiki
A'-Lo-HA ! y'all
That's a valid question. Good prevention on your part. I wish I could help you, but I don't know.
Grab a few sets of these (better than nothing and will run continually for 30-45 days on one set of AAs) and make sure you have the cabin air intake funnel covered with chicken wire or one of the covers found on all the Tesla aftermarket sites, Amazon, eBay, etc.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081974F6M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_WIocFbPH67K6C
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081974F6M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_WIocFbPH67K6C
C141medic
Active Member
@mr.ottley First of all welcome to TMC. Secondly, I don’t understand the nature of your question? It’s in the same realm of someone asking if they should put air in their tires if they’re low. If rats are are an issue in your area and Tesla wiring is known to attract little critters, due to the plant based materials used for the coverings, why wouldn’t you just install these deterrents? I don’t think asking Tesla is going to get you very far regarding a rat issue. Good luck and may you and your car remain rat free.
My question wasn't well defined. What I really would like to know is where to install the pack rat deterrents. The underside of the car is virtually sealed although there would be access in the wheel areas. I've heard that most of the wiring is under the back seat on a Model 3 (as opposed to earlier Model S cars) but definitive information seems to be non-existent. Since it is only going to be outside for a month I'll just use a spray deterrent. Biokleen has Bac-Out which according to a mechanic works. Thanks for the replies.
C141medic
Active Member
Fwiw, someone in the mouse thread recommended this:
Fresh Cab Botanical Rodent Repellent - Environmentally Friendly, Keeps Mice Out, 4 Scent Pouches https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L236OMW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_UXodFbZANP3VG
I received a call yesterday from a Tesla technician in Cupertino. He said the wiring is well protected (encased?) in the Model 3 and that they have received no reports of rodents chewing on the wires. He did say that sometimes a rodent will climb up a wheel well, get stuck, die and produce a very unpleasant odor – here in Arizona it would probably mummify before that would happen. I had the shop that has installed the strobe deterrents on our other cars spray the undercarriage and wheel wells with the chemical deterrent which should prevent any intrusion.
