We are contemplating getting a new camper within the next year or so. We are limited to the length of what we can put in our driveway.The options so far are to:#1 Possibly putting a concrete pad by the side of the house #2 Rent a space, (not a preferred option)#3 Keep it at my sisters. However, she lives in the country with all kinds of rodents, mice etc.If we do decide to keep it at my sisters, are there any suggestions that can be done to keep the wildlife outside and not have it being a big chew toy for the little furry critters that live there?

We've been storing travel trailers and PUPs next to our house on a gravel pad for the better part of the last 20+ years, including my dad's '77 Jayco for most of that 20 years. Our property adjoins a creek that has lots of wild growth on either side. Mice live there and we have mice that also get into our shed and make homes inside our lawn and snow equipment. We've even had mice in our garage, which is attached to our house (they went after bird seed we were storing in there!). The trailers sit next to the garage. That said we have never had any rodents or insect infections in our trailers. I think the key is keeping the pad area free of weeds and never leaving any food, especially unsealed, inside the trailers.

:BSteel wool in every crevice or opening on the under side of the coach.& pack a 44 for the real big ones !! :E

We do the steel wool thing also. Keep your eye out for mouse droppings under cabinets and in storage areas. If you need to, Loew's makes a good mousetrap made out of plastic and shaped roughly like a shoe. It works well. We used peanut butter for bait. Check the trailer often, especially before winter when they're looking to nest out of the weather and at least monthly after that.

If we put rat bait/killer inside, would it possibly lure them inside the camper?

I swear by this stuff. 5 years running p, zero mice.http://www.earthkind.com/products/featured-fresh-cab-rodent-repellent

Mice/rodent proofing a camper | Good Sam Community

32 Replies

samhain7
Explorer
Apr 30, 2015
Because you used peppermint oil once with no mice does not mean it works...
In fact, using it for two years doesn't mean it works...
fthomas137
Explorer
Apr 30, 2015
For what it's worth, the peppermint oil previously mentioned is truly magic when it comes to mice. I've actually written a post on my site that talks a little deeper and I'd be glad to answer more questions in regards to this.

You can see the post here: http://www.bestrvliving.com/general-rv-topics/keep-mice-out-of-your-rv/
Cheers!

Frank
westend
Explorer
Apr 28, 2015
Mice, rats, and squirrels will get into any enclosed structure if there is food present, the residue from food, or it makes a suitable shelter. The best defense is to make sure there are no ways to get in (seal all the holes), take all food out, and clean up the food prep areas. Traps and bait should be placed outside the trailer, you don't want a rat crawling into a wall and decaying.

One of the best deterrents is a cat. Even letting a cat live close to the RV or inside awhile so the cat's scent remains, will notify the rodents that a predator is present or has been in the area.
camperforlife
Explorer
Apr 28, 2015
Best defense is plugging the entry holes. The year I had the most problems I figured out it was because I left it plugged in and they used the cord as a highway through the cords entry port. Now I make sure the hole where the cord enters the trailer is plugged anytime the cord is in use.
Doug33
Explorer
Apr 25, 2015
rbpru wrote:
some years they hold their prom in my sink.

LOL
rbpru
Explorer II
Apr 24, 2015
I have found it is the luck of the draw. Some years no mice, some years they hold their prom in my sink.

I suspect the dryer sheets I used to repel them this year; made fine winter nesting.
TomS1345
Explorer
Apr 24, 2015
If you put bait inside the trailer you will attract the mice inside. I would put it outside of the trailer. Also get expanding foam and plug up anywhere there is even the tiniest opening under the trailer. ie places where pipes or wires enter the trailer.
RDMueller
Explorer
Apr 24, 2015
I'm still trying to picture how a mouse gains access to an RV. As far as I know they can't really jump and assuming there are no trees/shrubs/etc. next to the coach, the only way up would be via the tires or the tongue jack (assuming a TT). I can't imagine any way a mouse could climb the smooth steel sides of the tongue jack, so that only leaves the tires.

So, if the mouse climbs a tire, now what? Can't get to the frame. Maybe could make it to the axle, but then where from there? I understand that they do get in, I just can't quite see how?!?!
mowin
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
samhain7 wrote:
Check out the dryer sheets as an option. Lots of stories about the mice using them to build a nest...

Yep. Our first winter with our tt, I added enough dryer sheets to keep a heard of mice warm all winter.

Our tt also had a fabric underbelly and squirrels chewed 11 holes through it and had enough nuts stored under there to keep them fat and happy for many yrs.
samhain7
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
Check out the dryer sheets as an option. Lots of stories about the mice using them to build a nest...