Marten damage: garage is best protection
INCREDIBLE NAUGHTERS Martens cause around 40 million francs worth of damage in Switzerland every year. And they are particularly fond of cars. How can you protect yourself? The slender and agile animals love the engine heat of cars that have just been parked. They make themselves at home in the engine compartment and mark their territory with scent marks. The problem: martens are [...]
The slender and agile animals love the engine heat of cars that have just been parked. They make themselves at home in the engine compartment and mark their territory with scent marks. The problem: martens are loners. If the car is parked in the area of a competitor and the latter detects the foreign scent, it will bite and gnaw at anything that smells like a rival.
Water hoses and power cables are popular
From May to June, the territorial behavior of the small predator is particularly pronounced. Its sharp teeth perforate water hoses and power cables - such repairs can quickly cost a four-figure sum. According to Axa figures, martens cause around CHF 40 million worth of damage in Switzerland every year.
Controversial methods of protection against martens
Various methods are recommended to keep martens away: A wire mesh under the car, as martens don't like walking over wire, human, cat or dog hair as a deterrent, toilet stones, mothballs or even scented sachets placed in the engine compartment. Markus Peter, responsible for technology and the environment at the Swiss Automobile Trade Association (AGVS): "The effectiveness of these products is controversial."
A space in a garage offers optimum security
The easiest way to prevent marten damage is not to park the car outside overnight, but to rent a closed garage space. If this is not possible, Markus Peter recommends installing a professional electrical protection device. There are various makes available on the market, but they all work on the same principle. The price of such a device is manageable at around 200 francs and installation takes around an hour. Little effort for a lot of safety.
