Been staying in 29 Palms CA. Having major rat infiltration issues on my 2013 Edge. Found one major area of access and wanted to share my Idea.
Ford designs with body vents. They are needed to provide venting when your close doors to decrease getting your ears popped, or in an accident of rupturing your eardrums when the air bags go off. Unfortunately they also provide a "door" much like a doggy door you may install on your house. Here is my resolution. I've attached pictures of the vents, they are located under the rear bumper cover and there are 4 of them. I've also included a picture of what you may or not find when you remove them (rats.jpg). Be careful removing them. All though I tried to be careful, maybe I didn't have the right technique, I broke clips on each one of my vents. I ordered new ones and modified them with copper screening. I designed and 3d printed a set of 8 plates to sandwich copper screen ,Not Mesh, between the paltes and attached them to the backside of the vents. This should resolve the Rat Door issue. Copper mesh is used commonly to plug holes to prevent rodent infiltration, I figure the copper screen should work fine. You could also use stainless screen.
The rats have rendered my washers unusable both front and rear and I am in the process of replacing all my lines with stainless steel mesh braided lines. I tried just repairing them but a day later they were chewed again. I am in the high desert and rat control is impossible. Just have to reduce what they can attack.
If anyone can suggest other areas where they may be coming in, It would gladly be appreciated.
If anyone wants the STL files to print the frames Let me know and I will post them up on thingverse.
have a great day
