Acorns and Wires Chewed Through Around Car Engine – Culprit?

Q: My car would not start one morning. When I opened the hood there were acorns on top of the engine and nearby wires were obviously chewed through. What do you think did it? 

A: I offer up three suspects: squirrel, rat, or mouse. Each of them will collect and feed on acorns. Why they chose the top of your engine for a dinner party is an open question. There are no effective repellents for these creatures and I can’t think of a way to exclude them from your car so I suppose trapping is the remaining option. All can be captured in a humane cage trap baited with peanut butter. Buy a model with wire mesh small enough to hold a mouse.