Rodents vs. Roadsters – Small Pests, Expensive Damage

Roughly 5% of Roadsters we service now show some level of rodent activity – anything from early signs of nesting to partially rodent-chewed wiring harnesses.
Some of this damage is obvious to the owner which is why they sent it to us, and some of it only reveals itself as we service the car to resolve some failure.  We have become familiar with their favorite nesting spots and proactively investigate these prone areas.

A stored Tesla Roadster is an almost perfect rodent habitat: quiet, warm, and usually undisturbed. The PEM, chargers, and battery coolant systems radiate gentle heat, there’s no engine noise to scare animals away, and many Roadsters are parked for long periods, allowing nests to develop unnoticed. Once inside, rodents chew through harnesses, sensor leads, and even HV-adjacent wiring, which can create intermittent faults or completely disable the car.  To scavenge nesting material, we have even seen chewed and frayed seat belts.

How to Reduce the Risk

In the garage

• Keep no food in the garage – pet food, bird seed, and open trash are strong attractants.
• Store anything edible in sealed metal or heavy plastic containers, not in bags or cardboard.
• Declutter and seal gaps around doors, pipes, and vents so rodents have fewer entry points and hiding places.
• Keep vegetation trimmed and debris cleared around the parking area to reduce rodent “highways” into the garage.

For the Roadster itself

• Do not store it outside or under a carport.
• Drive it regularly – even short weekly trips introduce heat, vibration, and activity that discourage nesting.
• Keep windows up and tops properly fitted, and avoid leaving snacks or food packaging in the cabin.
• Use botanical / peppermint rodent pouches in the front trunk, rear area, and cabin, and replace them periodically as the scent fades.
• Consider rodent-deterrent tape or sleeving on vulnerable harness runs during service to make those areas less appealing to chew.
• Use traps in the garage, not inside the car, and avoid poisons that can harm pets and wildlife or leave animals decomposing in inaccessible spaces.