If you’ve ever dealt with an animal stuck in your car, alive or stinkily not, you know how unpleasant the experience can be. At the shop, we occasionally found critters homing in the engine bay, wrapped in suspension components, tucked away in undercarriage covers, or trapped inside the dash. Animals cause damage to plastic components, writing, and more via chewing and other “lifestyle” factors. In any case, no one wants to injure a critter by turning on their car. If you have a car parked outside, here’s how to prevent animals from mistaking your vehicle for home.

Start and drive the vehicle regularly

How can animals tell the difference between a car that’s sitting for months on end and an abandoned garden shed? At a minimum, you must regularly start and drive the vehicle. At least take it around the block. This “status change” will be felt by local wildlife, and they’ll stay away. And anyway, it’s better for the car. It might also help to change where you park once in a while.

Remove food and bedding materials

Ensure the car is clear of crumbs, food wrappers or containers, and anything that might attract a hungry critter. Additionally, remove items that could be used for bedding, like paper napkins, towels, or clothing. There’s nothing more inviting to an animal than free food and blankets.

Keep in mind that parking close to food and bedding sources might also tempt animals to hunker down in your car. Avoid parking near trash bins, wood piles, or heaps of fallen leaves.

Use a harmless deterrent

Some folks swear by natural peppermint oil. You can moisten a cotton ball with peppermint extract and deposit the scented cotton under the hood (away from moving parts) or in the inner-facing lip of the wheel rims. Inside, you can toss scented cotton in the glove compartment, under the front seats, and in the trunk. Others use dryer sheets to similarly deter animals.

Make a bunch of noise

Animals are fearsome of humans. If they know you’re around, they feel unsafe. Loudly open and close the car doors, trunk, or hood of a car parked outside before turning on the engine. Honk your horn, even. You can do this between drive cycles, too. Hopefully, anything hiding will scurry off.