# 2019 Toyota 4Runner - Keeping critters away **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** toyota\ **Created:** [March 30, 2020, 6:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-toyota-4runner-keeping-critters-away/162146 "2020-03-30T18:26:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WillSass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3d9bf3/32.png) [@WillSass](https://community.cartalk.com/u/WillSass)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2020, 6:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-toyota-4runner-keeping-critters-away/162146/1 "2020-03-30T18:26:18Z")
recently had engine light go on. Was due to rodent getting in to top of engine area and eating/chewing wire to a sensor. Was told to spray wheel wells with peppermint. Have seen a number of sonic/strobe light type devices. Do any of them work? Can you recommend a good one? ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2020, 7:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-toyota-4runner-keeping-critters-away/162146/2 "2020-03-30T19:33:30Z")
There sprays made specifically to repel rodents from the engine bay. No clue about strobe lights. ---
**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2020, 7:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-toyota-4runner-keeping-critters-away/162146/3 "2020-03-30T19:48:59Z")
A local mechanic at a chain shop recommends mothballs. No clue about strobe lights. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2020, 8:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-toyota-4runner-keeping-critters-away/162146/4 "2020-03-30T20:06:29Z")
Why not use peppermint oil? Christmas every day! ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2020, 8:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-toyota-4runner-keeping-critters-away/162146/5 "2020-03-30T20:10:38Z")
This is what we use. > **[Rodent Stopper 32oz Trigger Bottle | animalstoppers](https://www.animalstoppers.com/product-page/rodent-stopper-32oz-trigger-bottle)** > > Messinas Rodent Stopper can be used indoors or outdoors to discourage most mice and rats from nesting, foraging and entering buildings and other areas. To prevent further home and garden harm, apply Messinas Rodent Stopper to key areas. Messinas... Works great! Tester ---
**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2020, 9:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-toyota-4runner-keeping-critters-away/162146/6 "2020-03-30T21:17:49Z")
I’ve had good luck with mothballs myself. ---
**Author:** ![melott](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/melott/32/10827_2.png) [@melott](https://community.cartalk.com/u/melott)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2020, 9:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-toyota-4runner-keeping-critters-away/162146/7 "2020-03-30T21:25:13Z")
How do you get their legs apart? ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2020, 11:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-toyota-4runner-keeping-critters-away/162146/8 "2020-03-30T23:28:05Z")
Get a cat or two. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2020, 11:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-toyota-4runner-keeping-critters-away/162146/9 "2020-03-30T23:30:48Z")
> [@Renegade](#): > > Get a cat or two. ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/7/6/76166563e42c350c3bfb128b046e37594d774a31.jpeg) Tester ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 9:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-toyota-4runner-keeping-critters-away/162146/10 "2020-03-31T09:40:52Z")
Strobe light might encourage the mice to set up a Disco, then you will have drunk, dancing mice. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 2:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-toyota-4runner-keeping-critters-away/162146/11 "2020-03-31T14:33:12Z")
And with the munchies. ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 3:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2019-toyota-4runner-keeping-critters-away/162146/12 "2020-03-31T15:59:46Z")
The soy bean based wire insulation should be illegal and the manufacturer should warranty all rodent damage when that type wire was used.