Tips to keep mice and bugs out of trailer during winter storage

[Freon-FRF]

Looking for some input. We live in northern Illinois and plan on parking trailer at the in-laws during the winter. In laws live on 2 acres outside of Austin Texas. This was if I was to head south and west in the winter I can drive through the snowing conditions here to pick up trailer in Austin. Dropping it back off when I head back home. My concerns are mice, spiders and other insects making their way into the trailer. Does anyone have any interesting Tips to minimize this possibility.

 

[SeaDog-FRF]

There are tons of ideas out there to stop mice which may or may not work my advice is to take a weekend and go around the bottom of your rig and seal every hole that is 1/4 or larger to slow the mice down and while your at it remove all food sources that are not in sealed container or cans (remove all boxed items) then keep our fingers crossed good luck

 

[Theo-FRF]

Shawn Woods' YouTube channel "Mousetrap Mondays" is a great source for information on the efficacy of the various mouse deterrent rumors. He actually tests the various myths and records video of the results. This tends to weed-out all the false info.

Of the many deterrents I have heard about, one of the only ones that Shawn has found to be effective is the use of mint oil. HERE is the video of his test.

He proves the following to be absolutely ineffective:

• Dryer Sheets - mice used them for nesting;
• Mothballs - mice ignored a whole box of them;
• Irish Spring Soap - mice actually ate it;
• Fox & Wolf Urine (!) - mice ignored;
• Food Seasoned w/Peppers - mice ate it.

So, regarding rodents, you might want to pick up some mint-based repellent.

 

[JCR]

cat litter

 

[Georgetown377]

In addition you should remove anything mice may use as nesting material such as blankets, clothing, cardboard boxes. Also if mice have made inside in the past then you would need to sanitize to remove urine trails which contains a pheromone to let other mice know “ Hey coast is clear, come on in”. Because as mice travel they constantly urinate.

 

[JWallet]

Tried them including mint oil......checked inside several times a week....still got mice. Going to avoid this and going into inside storage this winter.

Shawn Woods' YouTube channel "Mousetrap Mondays" is a great source for information on the efficacy of the various mouse deterrent rumors. He actually tests the various myths and records video of the results. This tends to weed-out all the false info.

Of the many deterrents I have heard about, one of the only ones that Shawn has found to be effective is the use of mint oil. HERE is the video of his test.

He proves the following to be absolutely ineffective:

• Dryer Sheets - mice used them for nesting;
• Mothballs - mice ignored a whole box of them;
• Irish Spring Soap - mice actually ate it;
• Fox & Wolf Urine (!) - mice ignored;
• Food Seasoned w/Peppers - mice ate it.

So, regarding rodents, you might want to pick up some mint-based repellent.

 

[oxcamper]

We close up our camper for 5-6 months each winter and have had good success with the following:
1. all outside vents covered with stainless steel steel wool
2. combination of peppermint oil on tea bags (tea bags are just convenient, could use paper towel instead) and cab fresh packs in closets, cabinets and on counter
3. take out drawers in the kitchen, bath, and bedrooms to prevent nice cozy mouse nest spaces.
4. foam seal openings for pipes in bathroom and kitchen and water heater as best as possible.

sounds like a lot of work, but believe me its easier than scrubbing mouse poop and pee out of every nook and crany in the spring.

Cab Fresh can be hard to find at times, it's available at Menard's, TSC, and some ACE hardwares.

 

[TitanMike]

I have been pretty successful over the years on keeping pests out of my trailer.

The first place I start it making sure that everything under the trailer is TOTALLY sealed. No holes in belly cover anywhere. HVAC tape around the edges of the coroplast and Good Stuff Foam at all openings, especially around the black/gray tank drains (including the top of pipes which is hard to see).

I also use a product like this (either Ortho or Black Flag) that leaves a "bug barrier"

I spray it around the inside of the skirting to make sure they can't work their way around the edges of the skrim that covers the areas outside of the frame rails.

Makers claim it leaves a "barrier" that bugs are either killed when they cross it or just don't want to cross.

I took a screen off one of my house windows I always leave open during summer months and sprayed it with the Black Flag product. When dry I replaced it and the window sill had a plle of dead flies outside after a couple weeks.