Get Rid of a Pesky Cat From Your Car's Engine Compartment

by taloskriti

32K58

Intro: Get Rid of a Pesky Cat From Your Car's Engine Compartment

I live in a neighbourhood infested with stray cats. I am not annoyed by them when they mind their own business, but last week it came to my attention that they are using the engine compartment of my car for shelter. And I can't allow that for several reasons.

First, my father already has had an accident with a stray cat trapped under the engine hood. Unfortunately the cat was shredded to pieces by the fan blades of the Ford Ranger he drives. It is a large car with lots of empty space for a big cat to hide. My car on the other hand is smaller (I drive a Fiat Panda 2003 edition) and I thought until now that I got away with all this because the engine compartment is more crowded and doesn't allow much free space.

But a small kitten can take advantage of that fact!

STEP 1: Gather Some Materials

For this instructable you will need

an empty aluminium soda can
some sulphur
a clothes pin
a spoon and
something to fasten the can inside your engine compartment (glue for example).

I decided to use sulphur and not liquids (citronella, essential oils, vinegar etc) because it will last longer and will not evaporate. Plus the stench makes it unbearable for my nose, let alone the cat's! You can buy powdered sulphur in agricultural supply stores.

Tip : Handle sulphur always wearing a respiratory mask and elastic gloves. It is not caustic, but you don't want the stench on your hands, believe me!

STEP 2: Prepare the Can

Pierce some holes to the can using the pin.

Start from the upper of the can and make 4 rows of holes, encircling the can.

The holes amplify the distribution of "rotten eggs" smell of sulphur inside the engine compartment.

STEP 3: Spoon Some Sulphur in the Can

Using the spoon add some sulphur in the can.

I used two spoonfuls. It should be enough.

STEP 4: Install It in Place

Find a suitable place to fasten the can. My choice is shown in the above picture.

Consider avoiding the battery and any moving parts like belts and fan blades.

Failure to do so may damage your car. Please use common sense.

Periodically check the level of sulphur inside the can and refill if necessary.

8 Comments

Mjtrinihobby 8 years ago

Great instructable. You got my Vote.

zach krueger 7 8 years ago

um... do cats normally camp out under your hood?

zach krueger 7 8 years ago

oh wait nevermind

mtairymd 8 years ago

I feel your pain but I'm wondering how the inside of your car smells when you turn on outside ventilation?

taloskriti 8 years ago

Good question. I haven't noticed any sulphur smell because I almost never use the outside ventilation. I don't know why but it gives off a nasty smell of "air-conditioning gone bad". I had this problem before I installed the can with the sulphur. I suspect mould growth inside the air vents from water condensation. I have to deal with this problem eventually. Maybe I will have it cleaned or something.

Josehf Murchison 8 years ago

I just toot the horn, scares the behebes out of them.

What kind of sulphur did you use?

The powdered sulphur I get from the feed mill doesn't smell.

taloskriti 8 years ago

I used ordinary powdered sulphur. I buy it from agricultural supply stores. Farmers in my area sprinkle it in vineyards, vegetable plantations etc to eliminate plant diseases. My house is surrounded by vineyards (I live in a rural area). When the season arrives for the farmers to sprinkle sulphur, it is picked up by the wind when weather conditions allow it and the air smells like hell sometimes for a whole month! Awful days!