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Old 05-05-2015, 08:07 PM   #1
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Got Mice?

I have been battling mice getting into the trailer during storage. I use sticky traps and works great, but just when u thought you got them all, their back. Tried irish spring soap, herb mixture, copper brillo pads..
Any thing that works? Or Any ideas where they are getting in at?

Thank you


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Old 05-05-2015, 08:22 PM   #2
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The MFR's usually do a poor job on brand new RV's sealing up the penetrations on the underbelly. Since I started crawling under our RV's every two years armed with a can or two of Great Stuff, we have not had another instance of mice in our campers. I also go inside the camper at the same penetrations and spray down, just to really make it hard for them to get in.

On our one camper, I had to shoot the whole perimeter of the top of the black water tank to achieve a mouse-less camper.

They may start to chew to re-open the opening, but that's where persistent maintenance pays off. My wife hates small turds in our camper!
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Old 05-05-2015, 08:26 PM   #3
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Thanks,
I was also assuming the holding tanks. Thought i sealed them up well on the interior with Great Stuff.
What was the easiest way on the underside?


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Old 05-05-2015, 08:46 PM   #4
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Same Great Stuff, but I had to use 2 1/2 straws just to get the right angle on the can to spray the foam out of the can.

I also learned quickly to tape the straws together. The first time I tried it, the straws separated and I wound up with more foam on my clothes than in the desired spots on the camper. That stuff can get kind of nasty on your clothes and/or skin.

Even in areas where they used black tape on the underbelly around the penetrations, you have to coat it good with the foam to leave no openings. It's amazing how small of a hole those little furry things can get through.
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Old 05-05-2015, 08:46 PM   #5
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I did the same thing with Great Stuff foam and it worked awesome. From what I have read, a hole the size of a pencil eraser those buggers can find their way in.

We have sealed up ours well and this year added dryer sheets all over the place throughout the camper and we had nothing atleast that I know of....
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Old 05-05-2015, 08:46 PM   #6
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get 2-3 old mugs or glasses. Put 2-3 cotton balls in each one. Now put 5-6 drops of essential oil of peppermint on the cotton balls. You need to use essential oil ( homeopathic shop) it will not work with food grade peppermint oil. Not only does it make the RV smell good, but mice hate it.
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Old 05-05-2015, 08:54 PM   #7
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That's a good suggestion as opposed to moth balls that some people use.

I also take our small plastic garbage can in the camper (about 24" high) and fill it up about 1/4 with water when we close it up for the winter. I set it near a couch but not right up against it. Mice seem to like water once in a while. If there happens to be one that gets into my camper (has not happened for 5 years now), they eventually get into the garbage can but cannot get out because its too slippery, and they can't get good leverage to jump. They eventually perish by drowning.
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Old 05-05-2015, 09:26 PM   #8
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While the "sealing up the points of entry" approach is always a great start, they are enterprising little b@$tard$ and a good second line of defense is the Rat Zapper:

Amazon.com : Rat Zapper Classic RZC001 : Home Pest Control Traps : Patio, Lawn & Garden

It works on mice as well as rats, I bagged two of them this past winter in my Wrangler TJ that lives outside. Interestingly enough, I had it inside the XLR for several months without catching a thing, so I was starting to think that it didn't work. But then I put it in the Jeep and had two within a matter of days. So I guess the XLR guys did a pretty good job of sealing my underside! At any rate, the Rat Zapper works, it uses batteries, is reusable, and doesn't have springs to snap back and catch your fingers.
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Old 05-05-2015, 09:48 PM   #9
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I successfully used a similar trap recently. A 5g bucket with wire, pop can, peanut butter, and wooden ramp. Water, anti freeze, or simply nothing all work well (I used water). This would work well for long term storage as it can trap many times over without need for reset.

Bucket Mouse Traps |
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Old 05-06-2015, 01:31 PM   #10
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I guess I'm old fashioned. I just get a little used kitty litter and toss it under the camper. There's not enough of it for a human to smell but the mice can certainly sense there's a predator around and stay away.

Granted - I only worry about mice in the camper over the winter when I'm not using it.
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Old 05-06-2015, 01:42 PM   #11
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I use four used gojo hand cleaner tubs then fill with a little bag of mice poison.
Cut a nice mouse hole in the bottom.
Yet to have a mouse in the camper or signs thereof and I live on a farm.



Put a heavy rock in there to keep it upright .
I put these under the camper.
They keep getting empty I keep filling them.


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Old 05-06-2015, 01:55 PM   #12
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I hope mice can read......
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Old 05-06-2015, 02:06 PM   #13
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We use mouse magic or fresh cab, it works great. We use it in Our sheds and a couple of cars we store in the winter. It keeps the mice from nesting in our lawn tractor. Haven't had a problem with the camper in years.


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Old 05-06-2015, 02:12 PM   #14
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I expect to get flamed, but need to ask that people please do not use rat/mouse poison. Most every one works by causing the rodent to bleed to death internally. This takes some time so while they are dying, they become very thirsty and go in search of water. If they run across your yard and are eaten by an owl or a hawk, then you not only killed the mouse, but also the bird. I see way too many secondary poisonings.
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Old 05-07-2015, 10:06 AM   #15
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Flybob - very good point. I'm against killing them altogether which is why I try to naturally keep them away rather then killing them once they arrive.

Cat urine is a fantastic deterrent that makes my camper VERY uninviting and allows the animals to live on and do their thing.
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Old 05-07-2015, 10:17 AM   #16
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The best thing to do is place a high power 600W work light(s) in the RV at various places. Then crawl underneath and plug up all light sources with caulk, foam, etc. If you can see light, you have a hole.

Obviously this works best at dusk/night.

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Old 05-07-2015, 10:47 AM   #17
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I am new to RV, but in my garage we found droppings and responded by using these plugins. Didn't see anymore droppings. Since I run 110 ac when parked to keep batteries topped off - I plug these into the wall outlets. Without 110, I would use a little cigarette-lighter 12V inverter to plug into. Done't know how this will work, but haven't seen any mice or droppings yet. Also, no ants or bugs..... here is where I got mine:
Amazon.com : HDE 6-Pack Ultrasonic Electronic Indoor Mosquito/Rodent/Pest Repeller Wall Plugs : Patio, Lawn & Garden
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Old 05-07-2015, 11:09 AM   #18
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Interested in how well the cat litter works, so take a couple of scoops and put them in a container then put under the camper?
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Old 05-07-2015, 12:02 PM   #19
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No cats. No litter. If I did, I would certainly give it a try.
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Old 05-07-2015, 12:36 PM   #20
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My previous hybrid was torn up by mice. They made nests with the Great Stuff foam in my oven. They ate and made nests (and died) in the front bunk mattress. They chewed threw the canvas in seral places (had to order a new front canvas and mattress).

Solved the problem with one of these. And it only costs me a couple pounds of cat food a month.
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