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WasserPigeon's avatar
WasserPigeon
Explorer
Oct 14, 2020

RV sale pending, but we found evidence of mice...

Hi everyone! My family and I are in the process of hopefully purchasing a used 5th wheel soon to live in full time. It seems to be in pretty decent shape for a 2006. HOWEVER...when we went back to look at it yesterday we found mouse droppings. The mouse droppings were under the kitchen sink, in the bottom of the tv cabinet, and potential signs of nests in the air vents on the floor. So far, this is the best RV we have been able to find within our budget. We are worried about potential issues arising from the mice (i.e. electrical issues, allergens, etc.), but we really like the RV otherwise.

Is it still worth it to buy this RV, or should we just keep looking? If there's any possibility it would still be worth our time/money, would anyone have any suggestions regarding how to proceed with the price, taking care of the problem, looking for other potential issues, etc.? Thanks in advance!
  • smarty's avatar
    smarty
    Explorer II
    Oct 14, 2020
    Thoroughly check all electrical functions of the rig before purchasing it to insure the mice have not eaten thru any electrical wiring. This is especially important if the rig sat unused for a period of time.
  • mbopp's avatar
    mbopp
    Explorer
    Oct 14, 2020
    We had 2 mice in a campground this year. I didn't want to use poison and have them die in an inaccessible place so I used the old fashioned spring traps.
  • BurbMan's avatar
    BurbMan
    Explorer II
    Oct 14, 2020
    We have owned 4 different trailers and parked them in the yards at 3 different homes over 20 years and never saw mouse #1. I would pull out bottom drawers, look in cabinets, etc and see if you see any chewed wiring or other signs of damage.
    If there's no damage, then you just need to get rid of the mice. If you plan to move the trailer after you buy it, there's a fair chance you won't have mice problems in the future.
  • TenOC's avatar
    TenOC
    Nomad
    Oct 14, 2020
    Buy it.

    Go to Home Depot or Lowe's and purchase a box of mouse poison bait. Get the ones that are green blocks about the size of your thumb. Then remove the bottom drawers and drop these poison bait blocks behind the drawer where your pets cannot get to them. Also place them around the water heater and fuse boxes. These places are usually protected so pets would not be able to get to the poison.

    The poison in these bait blocks are basically blood thinner. After the mice eat the bait and start bleeding internally they become thirsty and most often will go outside in search of water to die.

    If you do not like the above solution, get a number of bang-them-on-the-head mousetraps and baited with peanut butter. Then you can strategically place the bang-them-on-the-head where you see droppings.
  • magicbus's avatar
    magicbus
    Explorer II
    Oct 14, 2020
    If that is the only issue you have I would say buy it and just make sure you get rid of the little buggers... every time they come back :W.

    Dave
  • midnightsadie's avatar
    midnightsadie
    Explorer II
    Oct 14, 2020
    most rv,s sooner or later have mice. speak to the seller ,either drop the price a little ,or have them pay for a extreminator. we use peppermint oil and a product called fresh cab. works for us.
  • craig7h's avatar
    craig7h
    Nomad II
    Oct 14, 2020
    Mice in campers is an on going problem all over. Those little folks want to get in out of the weather and a camper is one of the best places.
    A 5th wheel does not have as much wiring as a Motor Home so thats a plus. It sounds like this camper is what you are looking for, I would ask the seller about it. The answer will most likely be they knew nothing about it. You might what to ask seller if they would either pay or take money off for a pest control company come and take care of the problem.

    Mice can get into the smallest places, when winterizing mouse precaution is part of the plan. I use alot of mouth balls, make sure all of the entirety points are blocked off. I also have the sonic pest things plugged into my outlets.

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