Got an old car that’s been sitting in your driveway or garage for a while? It’s probably time to sell it for cash. Junk cars are not only public nuisances but also health hazards. They may leak automotive fluids, and wildlife often targets them for nesting. Although you may think raccoons and squirrels are cute, encouraging them to linger in your yard exposes you and your family to diseases spread by ticks and fleas. Here’s what you should know about dangerous junk car nesters.

4 Pests That Take Up Residence in Old Cars

1. Rats & Mice

Field mice may seem innocuous, but females give birth to almost 10 litters a year. Once they settle into a spot they like, it’s challenging to displace them. Rats and mice may start off nesting in a junk car, but they migrate into your house once the weather turns cold or food gets scarce, bringing fleas and disease with them. 

2. Squirrels

Squirrels can be deceptively destructive, chewing through walls, grates, and wiring to locate their nests. Squirrels and mice also attract larger predators, like owls, hawks, and coyotes. To keep them in the trees where they belong, remove attractive nesting targets, such as junk cars.

3. Raccoons 

Raccoons are cute and destructive. If a family of raccoons has ever invaded your attic or crawl space, you’ve seen the harm they cause firsthand. They can chew through plastic, wiring, wood, and metals. Raccoons also spread Lyme disease and rabies. Call a pest control service to eliminate them if they’ve established residence on your property.

4. Opossums

Like rats and mice, opossums love chewing on wires. Keeping opossums out of old cars preserves the condition of any parts you may have been hoping to sell for refurbishment or scrap. Opossums don’t live in giant colonies like rats, but they’re very territorial. If there’s one in your car, it may try to move into your garage or attic next. 

Cash for Junkers in Ham Lake, MN, offers residents of the Twin Cities cash for junk cars. You can dispose of dangerous vehicles by contacting their knowledgeable professionals. Because the disposal process is quick and transparent, you’ll know you’re getting a fair price. For more information on junk vehicle removal, call (763) 218-3149, or visit them online to learn about their service areas.