Dash Removal for Mouse Nest

After prolonged storage I discovered and removed mouse nests behind each rear wheel well, next to the spare and in the blower motor below the glove  box. Everything was throughly cleaned. But based on the smell in my 1999 Miata, the restricted airflow out of the vents and the occasional piece of insulation (i.e. mouse nest material) that blows out of the system, I’m looking for advice on whether I can realistically remove the entire from dash to get access the vent channels. I have already tried snaking a flexible lint type remover tool, and have used a high powered vacuum–all without result. My main question: is this something a body shop would take on? All and all advice would be appreciated.

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[Levi Reyes Topics- 7Replies- 101Total- 108★★★★]

Probably also best to address the pest infestation to stop from recurring.

[Joe Wall Topics- 85Replies- 630Total- 715★★★★★]

after the band clamp comes off ya gotta fiddle with the ductwork…a piece will come loose

[Guy Gleysteen Topics- 1Replies- 1Total- 2★]

Thanks very much for that suggestion. When I removed the band clamp, the blower motor housing and the AC cooler box remained firmly in place with no additional access to the vent system other then the roughly 1/2″ space occupied by the band clamp. Did I miss something here? Any additional suggestion most welcome (I did find a nest in the cold air intake box)

[Joe Wall Topics- 85Replies- 630Total- 715★★★★★]

Try this first…

 

Remove the glove box…its only a few screws on the bottom for the hinges.

 

that exposes the ductwork just to the left of the blower motor, which is held in place by a large band clamp. Memove that band clamp and a piece of the ductwork comes out, giving access to the bigger section of the system behind the radio.  Try your vacuum in there…or, try blowing air in instead of sucking stuff out

 

Also…under the hood, on the passenger side, there is a plastic panel that covers the intake side of the blower motor…there is a metal mesh screen under that plastic piece.  This is another favorite spot for critter nest…been there on a 90 that was stored in a barn for 6 years.

 

On the rear deck, under the carpet is a metal panel…remove that panel…there are a couple more smaller panels.  remove those. that will expose the top of the fuel tank…another favorite spot for critter nest..(see the comment about the 90)

Check your air intake box under the air filter…another favorite spot

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