It’s being called the rat epidemic on Vancouver Island: long-tailed rodents snacking on car wires and causing hundreds of dollars in damages.
The most recent occurrence was reported in Courtenay.
Phillip Round was heading out one day when his car’s warning light came on.
When he popped the hood of the vehicle he noticed the damaged wires, but was amazed by the culprit behind it.
“I had heard that there was an issue with rats locally eating car wire, but I garaged the car every night and everything seemed fine so it was just something completely out of the blue,” Round said.
The small creatures had chewed away at the wiring of his Toyota RAV4, disabling its all-wheel drive.
To make matters worse Round had to wait six days to get the wires reconnected in his car.
“There were massive numbers of these problems, they describe it as a rat epidemic,” Round said.
Several auto repair shops in Courtenay have been dealing with the issue.
Seeco Automotive has even posted photos of the guilty parties on Facebook.
Finneron Hyundai sees the problem in at least two or three vehicles a week.
“It seems to be more of a seasonal thing, this time of year they’re looking for a warm spot,” said Ryan Hamilton, Finneron Hyundai’s service manager. “They’re looking for cars that have been running all day and they’re nice and warm to make a nest and somewhere to sleep right?”
But Round wondered – why was this issue popping up now?
After some research he discovered that more automotive manufacturers use wire covers made out of a product that’s economically and environmentally friendly, but also attractive to rats.
“The wire looms and protective covers are soy-based product so the rodents seem to really enjoy snacking,” Hamilton added.
One thing that rats apparently don’t like? Fabric softener sheets.
Round wrapped Bounce sheets around vulnerable wires to try to eliminate any further damage.
“It’s a tip that a lot of people are suggesting, don’t know whether it works or not but so far so good,” he said.
Hamilton also suggests rat traps in the car port, domesticated cats and keeping perishable food items out of the garage.
With a report from CTV Vancouver Island’s Gord Kurbis
