Turns out the "mouse" living in my van was actually a chipmunk. We caught it using glue boards with peanut butter. (Thanks, Ginny!) No evidence of more than one as of yet. However, the saga continues! Last week we drove down to VA to visit my parents during school vacation. On the way down we turned on the AC and a terrible stench filled the van!! EWWWWW! Very obviously chipmunk urine and droppings within the vent system. I called our Toyota dealership and they said it's a common problem. For $75 they'll clean it out for us. UG!!

By Ladypeacek on Monday, April 26, 2004 - 09:59 am:

Gotta hate that! Especially when its something cute like a chipmunk, lol! Good luck!

By Eve on Monday, April 26, 2004 - 10:28 am:

Well, atleast you know what is was and it's going to be taken care of! I'm sure that did not make for a fun drive! PU! LOL! ;)

By Mommyathome on Monday, April 26, 2004 - 12:14 pm:

A Chipmunk???!!! LOL Oh my goodness At least you found the problem and now it can be taken care of.

By Karen~moderator on Monday, April 26, 2004 - 04:16 pm:

A guy who used to work for my company lived in the complex across the street. He used to leave his car in the office lot. He went over a week without moving/driving it once and squirrels got up into the car and chewed up the electrical system.

At least you've discovered what it is. When are you going to get it cleaned?? :-)

By Bea on Monday, April 26, 2004 - 04:35 pm:

They are cute critters, but they get into everything. Good luck.

By Trina~moderator on Monday, April 26, 2004 - 04:39 pm:

This Wednesday morning at 9 a.m.! That's the soonest opening they had. I was worried we'd have to wait a week or more. LOL!

We use our van daily, and it's always parked in the garage at home. I commuted 45 minutes several days last week and the little critter didn't care. One day it was down pouring and I drove through a deep puddle. I heard it squealing! LMBO!

Don't know if it will do any good, but I bought one of those ultrasonic rodent thingies that emits sounds they don't like. It's plugged into the wall in the garage. Hopefully it will deter anymore Chip and Dales who are contemplating moving in. LOL!

By Emily7 on Monday, April 26, 2004 - 05:51 pm:

I am glad that has never happened to me. When I saw the topic, I thought it was someones last name Van Critter. I hope you have alot of fabreeze until your appointment. Or those air fresheners that you put in the vent cover thing. A cat got locked in my Moms car once. She ended up just getting a new one.

By Tink on Monday, April 26, 2004 - 08:14 pm:

Emily7, a new cat or car? LOL

By Emily7 on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 12:51 am:

Well it wasn't our cat...a very nice car.
\But I think who evers cat it was needed a new one after my Dad realized what happened

By Tink on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 01:02 am:

LMBO!

By Coopaveryben on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 01:02 pm:

My parents got the ultrasonic sound thing for their workshop, they had a family of squirrells living in the roof. The baby squirrells came out and all, they were hanging out in a tree out of sound reach staring at the porch...I felt sorry for them...my mom has no sympathy, she threw a birds nest out of her hanging baskets last year with baby robin eggs in them...so heartless.

By Tink on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 03:45 pm:

Oooohhh! Poor babies! I am such a sucker for baby animals, even rodents! My grandparents use one of the ultrasonic things and they swear by it. Good Luck!

By Dana on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 07:38 pm:

These are the first reports of the ultrasonic things working. Good to know.