Animals can cause Michiganders problems with their homes, property, and automobiles. One squirrel caused a Michigan woman thousands of dollars in repairs to her car.

Small Animals Can Be Cute, But Also Bad News for Your Vehicle

I don't know any Michigander who hasn't experienced, or knows someone who's had, a small animal use their vehicle as a home.

👇BELOW: Most Deadly/Dangerous Animals In Michigan👇

You can't tell me you have never had a cat nap on one of your tires or a kitten up near the engine. Small animals will seek out the warmth of a vehicle. I know of a few cats no longer with us because the vehicle owner didn't notice a cat on a tire or trying to escape the running motor, and accidentally ran them over.

Squirrels, chipmunks, and mice all use vehicles for several reasons. Squirrels and chipmunks will often store nuts and acorns under the hood of a vehicle that is not driven much. Squirrels, chipmunks, and mice will chew on plastic parts and wire harnesses, and can cause all kinds of damage. They will often make a nest and live on the vehicle engine. I have all three of those animals that cause damage to my tree stands.

Read More: Dead Animals With Get Well Balloons Popping up on Michigan Roads

Michigan Squirrel Caused Thousands of Dollars in Damage to Woman's Car

According to FOX 17, Kathy Marshall had a check engine light pop on when she started her vehicle. Marshall set up an appointment to get an oil change, and the mechanic discovered a squirrel was living under the hood of her SUV.

The squirrel made a nest in Marshall's car and chewed up the vehicle's wire harness. The vehicle is an older model, so locating a wire harness will cost between $2,000 and $3,000.

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A good way to avoid this problem is to look under your vehicle's hood for leaves, acorns, nuts, or animal droppings. Spring and Fall are a couple of the best times to check. You can pepper-spray your vehicle's wiring, and the animals will leave it alone