I live next to a 1/2 mile square wooded field, and mice/rats have always been a problem in the yard and shed. However, our terrier mix loves them.Yesterday, I noticed the dog crawling under the RV. She has never done that before. I looked under the RV and saw her trying to crawl into the engine compartment. I opened the hood and looked in there. There are leaves piled in there where no leaves could possibly blow. Uh oh. I raked out all the leaves I could and, leaving the hood open, put a drop cord with a 40 watt light bulb shining back there all night.Today, I bought an 1156 socket and attached it to the end of a 3 foot long wooden dowel, so I can actually push it back into the compartment. I wired it through a 3 amp fuse to a pair of clamps so I can attach it to the battery terminals. I now have the hood open so the area is open rather than enclosed, and permanently lit. I hope that will discourage the little boogers.I have the RV permanently plugged in and have a Trik-L-Start charging the battery the lamp is hooked to. I should have no problems with killing the battery.I will post back if the dog loses interest in the underside of the RV.

The same thing happened to me some years ago. I cleaned up the stuff and what ever it was never came back. I never did do anything to discourage them.

I don't know what the winters are like where you live, but here in northern AR I would not leave the hood open because of the ice and rain storms. If you close the hood and leave the light on it will provide a warm place for the rodents and they will move right in. If you didn't have dogs, you could put out antifreeze and/or rat killer around the MH and that would help with your problem, however, dogs like these things as much as the rodents do and you will end up killing them also. I have heard that rodents do not like Irish Spring bar soap. The person who told me this shaves up several bars and puts the shavings around the tires of his stored vehicles several times a year and claims to not have a rodent problem.

An 1156 bulb will draw around 2 amps - hope your trickle start is a lot bigger than that.

no light, thats heat and they love a cozy place for the winter, get some peppermint oil, and put drops every where. close up all holes a mouse can get thru a hole the size of a dime. get two more dogs. and a steak bone for the one you have.

I have read that a bright white LED light discourages them, worth a try. Would draw less current and put out a lot less heat. :)

Rodent control attempt | Good Sam Community

Bobbo
Explorer II
Oct 30, 2014
It looks like JaxDad was probably right about the vermin being a squirrel. I just, umm, "excised" a young squirrel in my back yard that looks like it had taken up residence in the area. I suspect it tried under my hood, then moved elsewhere when I disrupted its comfort zone. It is no longer a possible nuisance. (And yes, it is squirrel season here, and I do have a hunting license.)
Bobbo
Explorer II
Oct 21, 2014
I haven't started the rig yet. I know about damage to wiring. When we bought our S&B house 5 years ago, squirrels had nested in the attic for YEARS. I had to replace a lot of the wiring in the attic because it was gnawed bare. I tried everything to eliminate them for 2 years, then bought a pellet gun. Now, if I see 1 squirrel a month, it is a busy month. That doesn't mean it couldn't have been a squirrel though. The engine was definitely full of leaves and sweetgum balls.

Apparently, the open hood and light have done the trick. There is no additional detritus in the engine, and the dog has lost interest in the RV.
John_Joey
Explorer
Oct 20, 2014
Have you started up your rig? You may have wires which are now chewed on and will short out.

For me, I would start it up and drive it around some every day or so. Maybe park in a different location on the property when you get back. Critters like things that don't move around.
JohnG3
Explorer II
Oct 20, 2014
nm1oqrz wrote:
When I put my riding mower away for the winter I put 2 bars of Irish Spring soap under the hood and on top of motor, as I heard that it will keep mice away. Spring time came and while getting the mower ready I checked the Irish Spring and of the 2 bars 1 was completly gone, execpt the wrapper, and the other was about 1/4 gone, so I thing that I fed them instead of chase them off.
Happy camping nm1oqrz

Or you had the cleanest mice in the county.
JaxDad
Explorer III
Oct 19, 2014
Dog Folks wrote:
Bobbo wrote:
OP here, I live in Memphis, TN. The RV is under a carport so rain/snow is not an issue. The Trik-L-Start is 5 amps, and I put an 1141 bulb in the socket so it draws a little less current. I may look for an LED to replace the 1141 though.

That geographic area has only three general types of rodents:

Norway Rat
Roof Rat
House Mouse

NO pack Rats.

Lights will do no good, other than make you feel better.

Rats won't make nests out of leaves, the only thing that will carry leaves to a nesting site is a squirrel.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Oct 19, 2014
I have no idea about the configuration under your hood. If it were me I would definitely check the air cleaner. I been there.
nm1oqrz
Explorer
Oct 19, 2014
When I put my riding mower away for the winter I put 2 bars of Irish Spring soap under the hood and on top of motor, as I heard that it will keep mice away. Spring time came and while getting the mower ready I checked the Irish Spring and of the 2 bars 1 was completly gone, execpt the wrapper, and the other was about 1/4 gone, so I thing that I fed them instead of chase them off.
Happy camping nm1oqrz
09FLSTC
Explorer
Oct 19, 2014
Double post delete.
09FLSTC
Explorer
Oct 19, 2014
I too am curios why the light/heat source. I'd freeze them out long before I'd try and make them comfortable. We use two cats and never let them get comfortable. Keep them as feral as possible.
Cool_Canuck
Explorer
Oct 19, 2014
Victor Rat Trap. End of problem with rodent chewing on truck wires.

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