"Nest" on top of cabin air filter

[Tadem]

Found this on top of my cabin air filter. this is new to me car and I just started going though all of the basics.
this was on top of air filter when I removed it. air filter itself was dirty as it gets.
Im concern that its some type of rotten nest.
But this thing is very clean, uniformed and looks like its insulation, no smell or poop was found.
did anyone ran into this before?

 

[RET2]

Found this on top of my cabin air filter. this is new to me car and I just started going though all of the basics.
this was on top of air filter when I removed it. air filter itself was dirty as it gets.
Im concern that its some type of rotten nest.
But this thing is very clean, uniformed and looks like its insulation, no smell or poop was found.
did anyone ran into this before?

View attachment 3400869

Anyone or everyone? Just kidding but not that unusual.

 

[gasman4u]

Is taking a deep dive with a bore scope an option? If so, check out what you can see towards the inlet side of the filter. If not, I'd keep a sharp eye on that. Idk what it could be aside from a nest, but if there's no droppings I'd be hard pressed to say it's mice.

 

[Kinnada]

looks a lot like the rat nest i had in mine. there were a bunch of telltale seed husks mixed in there as well. definite urine odor on the material. cleaned mine out, put a few glue traps under the hood and some of that peppermint oil stuff. haven't had them return yet.

 

[TheComedian]

looks a lot like the rat nest i had in mine. there were a bunch of telltale seed husks mixed in there as well. definite urine odor on the material. cleaned mine out, put a few glue traps under the hood and some of that peppermint oil stuff. haven't had them return yet.

Or if you consider the size of the inlets possibly a mouse that has chosen the filter as its winter camp.

 

[lx200inAR]

Might want to try something like this. This is the HVAC inlet under the plasic cowl between the windshileld and the hood. Your airfilter is directly under that and there is no netting/screen from the factory.

 

[76lcmike]

recommend granpa gus rodent spray and packets. on amazon.
see this all the time.

 

[Chris Carrera]

Found this on top of my cabin air filter. this is new to me car and I just started going though all of the basics.
this was on top of air filter when I removed it. air filter itself was dirty as it gets.
Im concern that its some type of rotten nest.
But this thing is very clean, uniformed and looks like its insulation, no smell or poop was found.
did anyone ran into this before?

View attachment 3400869

That insulation is from the wheel well liners on the inside of the fender. You can also put a screen on the vents on the passenger side liners. Make sure this screen doesn't get clogged since the air intake takes air from this space

 

[hankinid]

My motto picture says get a cat. One of ours lives in the garage and we've never had a rodent issue. If my motto catches one, she tales outside and leaves it in the drive way...guess she wants us to know she's working for her food.

 

[Tadem]

looks a lot like the rat nest i had in mine. there were a bunch of telltale seed husks mixed in there as well. definite urine odor on the material. cleaned mine out, put a few glue traps under the hood and some of that peppermint oil stuff. haven't had them return yet.

thank you.

 

[sdnative]

Might want to try something like this. This is the HVAC inlet under the plasic cowl between the windshileld and the hood. Your airfilter is directly under that and there is no netting/screen from the factory.

Is that opening there on 13+ as well? I haven't seen that or an obvious intrusion path, but may need to remove some of the plastic. I have minor rodent damage to some of the interior leather but no nests that I have found. Still trying to figure out how they got in and out of the interior. Truck was parked in the garage with the window partially down so possibly there.

 

[lx200inAR]

Is that opening there on 13+ as well? I haven't seen that or an obvious intrusion path, but may need to remove some of the plastic. I have minor rodent damage to some of the interior leather but no nests that I have found. Still trying to figure out how they got in and out of the interior. Truck was parked in the garage with the window partially down so possibly there.

Pretty sure that’s how all the 200/ work. This is the inlet for the “outside” air for the HVAC. If you look close you can see the flap that is the part that you have to make sure is in the right orientation to change out the air filter from the glove box. You definitely have to pull the plastic cowl to see it.

 

[Bryanmc]

That insulation is from the wheel well liners on the inside of the fender. You can also put a screen on the vents on the passenger side liners. Make sure this screen doesn't get clogged since the air intake takes air from this space

I’ve just discovered the same “nest” in my air filter. Can you give any more direction on where this is coming from and how to stop it?

 

[bloc]

I’ve just discovered the same “nest” in my air filter. Can you give any more direction on where this is coming from and how to stop it?

Something is living under the plastic cowl cover and crawling into the hole two posts above to make what you are seeing in yours.

 

[Bryanmc]

Thanks! Covered the hole with some chicken wire temporarily. Will get something plastic soon.

 

[Sandroad]

Thanks! Covered the hole with some chicken wire temporarily. Will get something plastic soon.

Mice will chew through plastic. Get metal like hardware cloth.

 

[gasman4u]

Mice will chew through plastic. Get metal like hardware cloth.

hardware cloth FTW

 

[KLF]

Might want to try something like this. This is the HVAC inlet under the plasic cowl between the windshileld and the hood. Your airfilter is directly under that and there is no netting/screen from the factory.

LOL... came here to post this, since it's my photo, of my '15. I found a similar mouse nest on my filter, and this was my solution. Yes, that is 1/4" hardware cloth, painted black and zip-tied in place. No issues since.

The other (easier) option is to just always park with the HVAC in Recirc mode so this opening is blocked off.

Now I just wish I could figure out a way to keep them off the top of the engine. Bastids have chewed through 2 knock sensor harnesses now, and I spotted another nest under the intake when cleaning the engine the other day. Argh....

 

[Sandroad]

LOL... came here to post this, since it's my photo, of my '15. I found a similar mouse nest on my filter, and this was my solution. Yes, that is 1/4" hardware cloth, painted black and zip-tied in place. No issues since.

The other (easier) option is to just always park with the HVAC in Recirc mode so this opening is blocked off.

Now I just wish I could figure out a way to keep them off the top of the engine. Bastids have chewed through 2 knock sensor harnesses now, and I spotted another nest under the intake when cleaning the engine the other day. Argh....

Well nothing is foolproof because mice are so ingenious, but they do like to return to the scene the crime again and again. So far, knock on wood, I have not had a return episode using this:

Amazon.com

 

[KLF]

Well nothing is foolproof because mice are so ingenious, but they do like to return to the scene the crime again and again. So far, knock on wood, I have not had a return episode using this:

Amazon.com

Had an exterminator at the house a few years ago for ants. He told me the ONLY thing that works for mice is snap traps. I've also had good luck with a bucket trap. He confirmed my suspicions that all the urban legend solutions do not work reliably: peppermint oil, moth balls, dryer sheets, ultrasonic devices, etc.