How to Stop Rats Eating Your Car’s Wiring
Rat Mat protection for electric, hybrid and stored vehicles, supplied and fitted by BTP.
Rodent damage to vehicles is rising
Rats and mice getting into vehicles is nothing new, but it is happening more often and costing more to put right. Aviva reported a 28% rise in claims for rodent damage to vehicles in a single year, with the average repair close to £2,500.
One of our customers had £11,000 of damage done to her electric Vauxhall Corsa. The car was off the road for four months, and her insurer made it clear they would not cover the same damage again unless the car was protected. That is how we came to fit our first Rat Mat.
BTP Environmental Services supplies and fits rodent protection for vehicles across southern England.
Permanent protection: the Rat Mat
Traps and bait only work if a rodent chooses to go to them, and the rules on permanent baiting are now much tighter. Neither of them stops a rat walking up to your vehicle.
The Rat Mat works on the same principle as an electric stock fence. Interlocking floor tiles carry a low-energy pulse. A rodent stepping onto them gets a small, harmless jolt, turns round and learns to stay away. Nothing is poisoned or killed, so it is a humane and sustainable answer, with no risk to pets, wildlife or the environment from rodenticides.
You park on it and drive on and off as normal. It can be fitted as a perimeter, which is a ring of tiles around the vehicle, or as a full mat under the whole vehicle. We measure up, supply, fit and test it, and advise which layout suits your vehicle and building.
Want more detail? Watch our full Rat Mat explanation on YouTube.
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Motorhomes, classics and stored vehicles
The vehicles most at risk are the ones that sit still. That includes motorhomes and campervans laid up over winter, classic and performance cars in storage, horseboxes and seasonal vehicles. Weeks without movement give rodents time to move in, and the damage is often only found when the vehicle won’t start.
If your vehicle is worth tens of thousands of pounds, protecting it costs a small fraction of its value, and far less than one wiring repair.
We also fit Rat Mat protection for fleets, dealerships and vehicle storage businesses. It can also be used to protect doorways and vulnerable points on buildings.
What does it cost?
Perimeter protection for a typical car starts from around £1,600 + VAT, supplied and fitted. A full mat under the whole vehicle, or a larger vehicle such as a motorhome, is typically £3,000 to £4,500 + VAT. Every quote depends on the vehicle size and where you are.
You may see parts of the system online for a couple of hundred pounds. That is usually the power unit alone. A working system also needs enough tiles, edging and connections to surround the vehicle, fitted and tested properly.
Start with the basics
Before spending money on any product, deal with the reason the rodents are there:
- Proof the garage or building so they cannot get in.
- Remove food. Bird seed, pet food and grass seed stored in a garage are common attractions. If they must be kept there, use metal bins, as rats will chew through plastic.
- Clear clutter and nesting material from around the vehicle.
- If you already have rats or mice, get the infestation dealt with properly.
We can help with all of this, and it is the first thing we look at on a survey.
Why rodents chew wiring, and the signs to look for
Rats and mice have teeth that never stop growing, so they gnaw to keep them worn down. A parked car offers a warm, dark engine bay, soft insulation for nesting and wiring that is just the right thickness to chew. Soy-based wire coatings are often blamed, but that has never been proven – rodents chew all kinds of wiring.
Signs to look for:
- Droppings on the engine cover, battery tray or under the bonnet
- Gnaw marks on cables, hoses or plastic trim
- Shredded insulation, leaves or fabric packed into corners of the engine bay
- Warning lights, misfires or electrics that stop working
- A musty smell from the air vents
- Footprints or smears in dust on the engine or wheel arches
Frequently asked questions
Will a Rat Mat work on any car?
Yes. It is assembled around the vehicle from tiles, so it fits any car, van, motorhome or trailer. We measure the vehicle and build the mat to suit.
No, but it needs a flat, dry surface and a power socket within reach. A driveway or carport works fine. Indoors gives the longest life.
Is it safe for people and pets?
The mat gives a brief, unpleasant pulse – similar to an electric fence – and is designed to deter, not injure. Children and pets should be kept off it, and it comes with a warning sign. Ask us if you have specific concerns.
No. The energiser draws very little power, less than a typical phone charger over a day.
Can I move it to another vehicle?
Yes. The tiles can be lifted and re-laid, and we can adjust the mat if you change cars.
Most cars are done in a morning. We supply and fit, so there is nothing for you to assemble.
Do you supply Rat Mats for buildings?
Yes. The same tiles can protect plant rooms, cable runs and other rodent-prone areas. Ask us for a quote.
Worried about Rodents in your car?
Tell us what you drive and where it’s kept, and we’ll give you a straight answer on whether a Rat Mat is right for it – and what it would cost.