How do you make an opossum leave your engine bay?

[SpeedLu]

So I noticed the other day that my engine was unusually dirty, which I chalked up to just having more dirt/pollen in the air than usual. Today I planned on cleaning the engine bay and I opened the hood up to find this little fella! Guess he's been crawling up there at night and using my Coyote as a cozy apartment. He's one messy roommate.

Before I could get something to catch him with, he ran back behind the engine itself and hid... somewhere. I've been watching and he hasn't left... I can't see him and have no clue where he's hiding. How should I get rid of him? :shrug: I don't want to start the car out of concern for getting guts all over the engine bay. :eyebulge:

edit: changed image host, pictures should now show

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[TomcatDriver]

I don't know about opossums, but rats will eat electrical wiring. You do NOT want things living in your car. They don't like mothballs, so you could use that. I've heard of people leaving mothballs or a strong smelling soap like Irish Spring in a sock under the car to keep critters out. If it thinks your car is home it may be more persistent. You might just want to trap it and move it to somewhere more appropriate.

For your immediate concern, try a hose.

 

[16Fastback]

Never had this happen but I would get in the car and lay on the horn to see if would scare it out of there,make sure if in the garage to leave the door up.pics not showing up due to photobucket ban using on web sites.

 

[undearth]

Peppermint oil will keep them away

 

[Vegas5OH]

id just start it

 

[Zodiac]

Damn that's the first I've heard. I've heard of snakes, cats, rats, squirrels but never a possum. I'd be worried what he's done to the car. I would definitely try the horn to try and scare him off. I would try the hose if you know what you are doing and don't spray on wiring. You could even call local animal control/pest control to get help/advice. Last resort would be to start it. Also fun fact possums are basically immune to rabies due to their low body temps.

 

[JCFoster]

I had a female coon and she loved getting under the hood during thunder storms. I tried all kinds of stuff from rubber snakes, pepper spray, shock mat and nothing deterred her. She never ate any wiring, but I had to replace two engine covers and the hood insulation.

One day the obvious happened and she ended riding to work with the wife and ran off. She spotted her one day by a limp she had and had made a new home.

 

[LSchicago]

Start it up, and hit the highway. He will be gone.

 

[whalesalad]

1. Start
2. Track mode
3. Line lock
4. ...
5. No more possum issue

 

[Wriggly]

Possums are pretty harmless. Won't eat your wiring and they are not carriers of Distemper or Rabies like Raccoons. If you scare them too badly they tend to do what their name suggests.

 

[w3rkn]

Picking him up with a leather gloves and showing him a new neighborhood, might also work...!

 

[tcman54]

Don't be mean to him, animals have been here way longer than we have, they are just trying to survive.

Like some said maybe a strong smelling soap or moth balls to deter him.

TC

 

[TomcatDriver]

Don't be mean to him, animals have been here way longer than we have, they are just trying to survive.

Like some said maybe a strong smelling soap or moth balls to deter him.

TC

Humans are animals too. We've been here (in some form) just as long as any other critter.

 

[Silver Bullitt]

I just shoot them and raccoons with a 9mm. Works every time.

 

[DropTopBob]

Not five minutes ago I read an article on Carscoops.com about rats eating under hood wiring insulation made from soy products. The featured car in the story is a 2017 Mustang but all vehicles so equipped are vulnerable. The article provides several preventative solutions.

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