Barn find with occupant

[Stephenorf]

I just pulled a 1968 Galaxy 500 out of a field where is has been sitting for a long time. The car is complete and all the windows & doors have been closed for years. It has a living occupant, as is evident by the piles of droppings and the various gnawed items. I pulled it onto my propoerty yeaterday, and today confrmed there is some living thing still in the car as I heard some scurrying in the trunk (btw, there are no keys, so I am not able to open the trunk at the moment). What is the best way to kil the rodent? I don't want it to get out and get into my workshop or relocate to another car on my property. I have some mouse traps, but was wondering if anyone has experience "evicting" these types of squatters.

Thanks in advance,
Stephen

[Anteek29]

Cover with a tarp, weight down the perimeter then set off a gas bomb underneath or stick an exhaust hose underneath attached to a running gas engine?

[dmsfrr]

Put a small dab of peanut butter on the trigger of the mouse traps, set them and place them in the car with the doors & windows closed.

[Stephenorf]

Originally Posted by Anteek29

Cover with a tarp, weight down the perimeter then set off a gas bomb underneath or stick an exhaust hose underneath attached to a running gas engine?

Yeah, that's a good idea. I'd have to wait for a non-windy day. ANd I'm not sure what kind of 'gas bomb" to use. I suppose I could idle my pickup truck nearby and run a hose to the car. The main thing I want to accomplish is to kil the varmints where they are, and not let them escape to setup shop somewhere else on my property.

[Stephenorf]

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

Put a small dab of peanut butter on the trigger of the mouse traps, set them and place them in the car with the doors & windows closed.

Right, I baited a mouse trap and left it near the back seat. The bottom cushion is pulled out, so should be easy access for the vermin to get to. I didn't use peanut butter, and I have the doors open to try to air it out a little. I'll set some more traps with PB and then shut the doors. I have no idea if it is just one nasty rodent in there or a whole family. By the size of the turd piles all over the place I wouldn't be surprised if there was more than one!

PS, I'm also a little temtative to root around in the car thinking whatever it is might try to bite me! LOL..

[Stephenorf]

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Update: I loaded up a bunch of traps, put them in the car and closed the doors. How long till I get my first victim?



The car is pretty messy after those mice have been living there for some time. When I parked the car ~ 8 years ago there were no rodents and the car was faily clean on the inside.

[50fordcoupeman]

30 cal machine gun too agressive??

[Stephenorf]

Originally Posted by 50fordcoupeman

30 cal machine gun too agressive??

I'm the meanest, roughest, toughest hombre that's ever crossed the Rio Grande - and I ain't o namby-bamby!

Now what in tarnation is living in that car!

[50fordcoupeman]

Good one. I like your sense of humor!

[miker98038]

Pull the car outside. Put the barn cat in the car. With water. When the cat starts to loose weight, let the cat out and put the car in the shop. One way another, they’ll be gone.

I don’t know about the smell from the cat shxx. Good luck.

[bobss396]

Try a couple of glue traps. They work great with field mice. Bigger glue traps need to be nailed to a piece of 2 x 4 or the rats walk away with the trap.

[Stephenorf]

Critter uodate: 2 confirmed kills (one in a rat trap, one in a mouse trap), 4 suspected as 4 out of 6 traps we gone this morning. I imagine the crutters sprung the traps and got caught, but the trap wasn't lethal, so they dragged the trap off into the trunk area. Evidently theres a whole family of rats living in the trunk area of the car.

I set out 3 more rat traps and reloaded the 1 rat trap and 1 mouse trap. I also put out 2 new "Tomcat" plastic mouse traps...but they seem pretty weak, so we'll see if they actually do anything.

Unfortunately I don't have a key to the car, so I can't open the trunk. I'm going to wait until I think there are no more living rats in the car, then I guess I'll drill out the trunk lock.

[Anteek29]

Bet the critter family is holed up in the trunk! They know you don't have a key.

[CrownVic55]

Just a thought. I bought a 68 Galaxie 500 XL with a 428 new in 68. Paid extra for a "single key locking system". After two or three years, I discovered that the trunk lock had no tumblers in it. Could be opened with a flat blade screwdriver or a dime. Cheap way to make a single key system. Might try to open yours with a screwdriver in case it is a "single key locking system".

[Stephenorf]

Originally Posted by CrownVic55

Just a thought. I bought a 68 Galaxie 500 XL with a 428 new in 68. Paid extra for a "single key locking system". After two or three years, I discovered that the trunk lock had no tumblers in it. Could be opened with a flat blade screwdriver or a dime. Cheap way to make a single key system. Might try to open yours with a screwdriver in case it is a "single key locking system".

Yes, that would be an easy solution. I had an old Mustang one time where the tumblers in the trunk were so worn down that you could use a key from another Mustang to open the trunk (I found that out ard way when I accidently locked my own set of keys in the trunk, and some old timer suggested I try a key from any other Mustang...and he was right!).

I'll give that a try once I think all the critters are dead. I have visions of all these rats moving fast and scurrying around when I open the trunk. I don't want anythigt to do with that nightmare.

Update: I tried a trunk key from a 1968 Mustang and it wouldn't budge.

[Lanny]

Put some peas in there.
When the critter comes out to take a pea...shoot him



.

[JimNNN]

If you don't want a dead animal smell in your car for the next few months, use a live trap...they're cheap.

[Stephenorf]

Got another one. It cleaned off two of the rat traps but was unlucky on the third.

[bobss396]

Victor makes some newer plastic snap traps that work well. I had baby rats in my yard last summer... I bagged 4 of them in 2 days. One within minutes of setting the traps out. In all I got 7 of them.

[rotorwrench]

I'd pull the back seat cushions out of the car and see if there is access to the trunk through there. Picking some of those old Ford locks is possible but a person needs the right picks to do the job. Ford liked the double sided keys starting back in that era but I'm not sure about 1968. I keep a pick set that has double sided rocker type picks for old Fords so I know they are out there.

[51504bat]

I've had good luck baiting rat traps with hard salami - the kind that comes in a 2" or so diameter roll in the deli. Its greasy so it attracts the rat but its a tight fit in the trap so it isn't easy for the rat to take the bait without springing the trap. Many times I can reuse the piece of salami more than once. And I only use Victor brand traps. Others such as Tom Cat don't seem to work as well. Happy hunting.

[Stephenorf]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

I'd pull the back seat cushions out of the car and see if there is access to the trunk through there. Picking some of those old Ford locks is possible but a person needs the right picks to do the job. Ford liked the double sided keys starting back in that era but I'm not sure about 1968. I keep a pick set that has double sided rocker type picks for old Fords so I know they are out there.

Hi, there is some access throught the back seat, but not enought to fit a body through. Plus will all the rat turds and gross stuff in there, I don't think I'll be squirming around too much on the floor of the car any time soon.

Yes, the 1968 has the 2-sided key. I don't know how to pick locks, but I might try to learn! Otherwise I might drill out the lock.

I also heard that the door key should be the same as the trunk key, I could take a door key to a locksmith to have a new key made, and then use it to open the trunk. I'm leaning toward this solution.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Stephenorf

Yes, the 1968 has the 2-sided key. I don't know how to pick locks, but I might try to learn! Otherwise I might drill out the lock.

I also heard that the door key should be the same as the trunk key, I could take a door key to a locksmith to have a new key made, and then use it to open the trunk. I'm leaning toward this solution.

The door and deck lid will have different keys. If you have a locking glove box, the key code should be inscribed on the cylinder.

Could this car be referred to as a RAT ROD ...

[Stephenorf]

Originally Posted by 51504bat

I've had good luck baiting rat traps with hard salami - the kind that comes in a 2" or so diameter roll in the deli. Its greasy so it attracts the rat but its a tight fit in the trap so it isn't easy for the rat to take the bait without springing the trap. Many times I can reuse the piece of salami more than once. And I only use Victor brand traps. Others such as Tom Cat don't seem to work as well. Happy hunting.

I have the big Tomcat rat traps, and it seems the pin is too tight and allows the rats to eat the PB without springing the trap. I'll try your idea of using a nice juicy piece of salami. I might even put a little dab of mustard near the trap for those fancy Ratatouille types...jk

[Stephenorf]

Update: Kill count is at 4 as of this am. That's for the dead rats I've been able to recover. I'm afraid there may be more dead rats in the trunk as I have a bunch of missing traps and I suspect that more than one wounded rat has manaed to crawl back into the trunk to expire.

[KULTULZ]

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Originally Posted by 51504bat

I've had good luck baiting rat traps with hard salami -

What if the little varmints aren't Italian?

Many times I can reuse the piece of salami more than once.

You are cheap ...

[Stephenorf]

Originally Posted by bobss396

Victor makes some newer plastic snap traps that work well. I had baby rats in my yard last summer... I bagged 4 of them in 2 days. One within minutes of setting the traps out. In all I got 7 of them.

I'm going to buy some new traps this afternoon. The ones with the plastic trays seem to be more sensitive and don't let the rats feed for free. So far I got 4 that I know of. The evidently the small Victor mouse traps just injur the rats and they crawl off with the trap attached to them.

[51504bat]

I always use the large Victor brand rat traps. The smaller mice traps only injure a rat if at all. And always tie a wire to the trap so the rat can't drag it away and die somewhere where you can't get to.

[Stephenorf]

Update: I think I must have go them all. I rebaited the traps yesterday afternoon, and when I checked this morning, they were all untouched. So either the rats are all on diets, or they have all been killed.

Next Step: Open the trunk and start cleaning out all the rat turds and other vermin waste. PU....I recon this is going to be a messy, stinky job.

[rotorwrench]

I'm not sure on the 1968 models but Ford used the same key for the trunk that was also used for the glove box. Ignition keys should operate the door locks. The trunk key is likely H50 type secondary double sided keys for 5 pin locks . This link is to the type of rocker picks but a full set is very expensive and the success rate is only around 80%. I've worn blisters on my fingers trying to open some locks but my success rate is not far from the 80% range. https://www.lockpicks.com/grand-mast...-pick-set.html

It may be less expensive to consult a local lock smith. I purchased both picks and jimmy sets when I started unlocking my own projects years ago so they weren't so expensive back then.

Drilling the lock is an option but you are going to have to put on the respirator and rubber gloves one day to take seats & carpets out and hose up all the crap with the shop vac anyway. The latches have 3-bolts holding them if I remember correctly. most Ford cars are the same in that time frame. Get an extension or a stack of them long enough to reach the latch from the back seat area and take the screws out. The trunk lid should open with the latch free from the bracket. The lock can then be rekeyed with an H50 blank by a lock smith.

[Stephenorf]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

I'm not sure on the 1968 models but Ford used the same key for the trunk that was also used for the glove box.

Is that right, for 1968 the glove box key and trunk key are the same? That glove box lock is a sinch to remove...two philips head screws. Thanks for the tip!

[Stephenorf]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

The lock can then be rekeyed with an H50 blank by a lock smith.

Are you sure it is the H50 blank? Home Depot states that the H50 is for the ignition and door locks.

"H50 Blank Ford Motor Company Key is a nickel-plated brass, precision-milled replacement key. The key is used for ignitions and door locks in compatible Ford vehicles."

Thanks!
Stephen

[KULTULZ]

Should be H51 for the glove box, deck lid and tailgate.

[Stephenorf]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

The door and deck lid will have different keys. If you have a locking glove box, the key code should be inscribed on the cylinder.

Here is the glove box lock. "FB0293" is the key code?

[Stephenorf]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

Could this car be referred to as a RAT ROD ...

Nice, yeah, now that you mention it I've always wanted one of them bona fide rat rods! Unfortunately it has the rat rod smell to boot. Not sure if I need to take the carpet/seats out if that will help, or if I need to spray the whole thing down with bleach or what. Now that the rats are all (presumably) dead, I have the doors open to help air it out a little.

[KULTULZ]

I would take all of the soft trim out if there is an odor and let it breathe somewhere dry and blast it with LYSOL/FABREEZE. That odor can really permeate seat covers/padding.

Don't forget a nose guard as the dropping dust is a killer.

[rotorwrench]

I remember the square key being for ignition on those cars with the oval for the trunk. My memory isn't what it used to be so I could be wrong.

Rodents like to pull the stuffing out of seats and make nests. They pee on near everything they can crawl over. The back seat may be the only one to pull out fast to clean under it. I'll guarantee it was a mouse house under there. The trunk is a good second if there is a lot of old boxes or stuff like that in there.

[Stephenorf]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

I remember the square key being for ignition on those cars with the oval for the trunk. My memory isn't what it used to be so I could be wrong.

You are correct, the square key is for the ignition, and the oval ket is for the trunk. I'm guessing the oval ket is also for the door and glove box. I guess we'll find out tomorrow as I'm taking my glove box lock to the local locksmith to have a new key made.

[Stephenorf]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

Rodents like to pull the stuffing out of seats and make nests. They pee on near everything they can crawl over. The back seat may be the only one to pull out fast to clean under it. I'll guarantee it was a mouse house under there. The trunk is a good second if there is a lot of old boxes or stuff like that in there.

Yeah, I'm not looking forward to cleaning up that mess. WHen I parked the car there weren't any signs of rodents being in the car. But parked in a field for ~8 years they had their way with it. Luckily (I guess) I had already pulled the bottom part of the back seat out before I parked it. I was looking into the trunk trying to figure out how to get it open without a key. So I think the rats made the most of the trunk. I have no idea what is in the trunk, but IIRC it was pretty empty when I peered into it. Rat pee is the worst.

[Stephenorf]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

I would take all of the soft trim out if there is an odor and let it breathe somewhere dry and blast it with LYSOL/FABREEZE. That odor can really permeate seat covers/padding.

Don't forget a nose guard as the dropping dust is a killer.

Thanks, I'll probably suit up like i was going to paint. Hazmat suite with full facemask with respirator.

[Stephenorf]

Originally Posted by Stephenorf

Here is the glove box lock. "FB0293" is the key code?

The locksmith guy said that number cross references to a Mazda. He said Mazda and old Fords use a lot of the same keys I guess. I'll be dropping by his shop tomorrow. If the "FB0293" isn't right, he can make me a key from scratch, it'll just cost a little more.

[KULTULZ]

Yes, the key code. FA is for IGN/DOORS and FB for the DECK LID.

FORD didn't really get involved with MAZDA until the mid-seventies.

One of the door cylinders will have the FA CODE.

[Stephenorf]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

Yes, the key code. FA is for IGN/DOORS and FB for the DECK LID.

FORD didn't really get involved with MAZDA until the mid-seventies.

One of the door cylinders will have the FA CODE.

Thanks, that's good news. I can pull a door panel and get the number of one of the door lock cylinders and have an ignition ley made too.

[KULTULZ]

The CODE should be on one side door cylinder. Which one is according to who was assembling that day.

[Stephenorf]

Darn, I pulled the DS door lock and there's no code on it.

[Stephenorf]

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Well, thanks to some good advice on this forum I was able to take the glove box lock and one of the door locks along with the key codes to each to a local locksmith and got me a new set of keys (I didn't get any keys with the car.)



With the key codes, I got the keys made for less than $60.00. And this includes a spare set. The door key turns the ingnition, and the glove box door key opens the trunk. Yay!

The locksmith said the key code for the door key is generally found on the passenger side. Sure enough it was on the passender side on my car too.

This is a happy sight. The trunk on this car hadn't been opened in unknown years. I had to take the door panels off to get to the door locks, but I can live with that. I would have had to remove the door panel on the driver's side anyway since the door latch decided to break yesterday.








Without the key codes, if I brought him the door lock and the glove box lock, he could have made keys, but it would have taken way longer and cost 2x the amount.

[Stephenorf]

Here's what I saw when I opened the trunk. Notice a couple of the mouse traps got dragged back there somehow. I thought there might be some dead rats back there....like if the mouse trap got them, but didn't kill them immediately, they would have died in the trunk. But it looks like the mouse traps were innefective on those big suckers!



Trunk is full of rat turds. I'm going to let it air out for a couple of days. The daily highs are supposed to be in the 90s and the forecast doesn't show any rain for the next few days. I don't look forward to cleaning the car.

Here's another look toward the rear of the trunk (or is it the front...towards the back seat). There's a little pile of cotton batting that looks like they were enjoying.



Those rats didn't tear things up like I thought they would. No wires are gnawed on. The wires even still have the paper tags from the factory. I saw some of these paper tags on the headlight loom under the hood too.

[rotorwrench]

It looks like you got a grave marker in the deal.

[Anteek29]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

it looks like you got a grave marker in the deal.

funny!

[frank long island]

wear a mask and rubber /latex gloves when you clean that stuff can make you sick if using a vacuum put a sock over exhaust to catch the dust happy cleaning

[Stephenorf]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

It looks like you got a grave marker in the deal.

At first I didn't even know what that was. I wish those rats had dies befoer they got into the car. What a mess....and stinky too.

[Stephenorf]

Originally Posted by frank long island

wear a mask and rubber /latex gloves when you clean that stuff can make you sick if using a vacuum put a sock over exhaust to catch the dust happy cleaning

Thanks for the advise. I haven't started cleaning it out yet. I'm pretty ticked off at myself for letting those rats get in there. I should have been more careful with where I parked it, and should have done something to prevent the rodent infestation....dryer sheets, mothballs, fox urine...something.