Field Mice and Replacement Hoses

[andrewh]

As we were recently camping in northern Arizona, we were visited/invaded by the local field mice. The end result was that, while we were outside, my dog tore a section of the dashboard open to show us what he had found. The photo shows the damage that he did to the dashboard, as well as a picture of him relaxing on the couch (to show that he is too cute and fluffy to stay mad at...). Frustrating, but we always try to look at the good side of things. If he hadn't done this, the mouse problem could have gotten much larger very fast. We caught one large mouse and two babies, but heard they multiply very quickly.

My first question on this is what are some of the best solutions for discouraging mice from entering into the vehicle? I've started sealing any open areas in the engine compartment, where wires and anything else enter the cab. I've heard that peppermint soaked cotton-balls seem to keep the mice away from the area. Please let me know what has worked for you and what other strategies there are for preventing mice from entering.

The next question is regarding parts replacement for the doggy damage. Where can I look for and purchase the hoses/tubing/ducts that were ripped? I've tried looking around online but keep coming up with harder/solid rubber hosing that appears to be more for the engine compartment than for the interior/dash area. We are removing the torn leather area and replacing with a laminate that would match the radio and driver console area, so that isn't too much of a concern.

Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions. As always, any and all help is appreciated. Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!

[westend]

Copperhead wrote:
I would consider something like Mouse Free.

http://www.mouse-free.com

If you want to use a product like this, you can save some money by using light oils and menthol, that is what the formulation is and DIY will save considerable money over the $200/gal Mousefree wants.

[Copperhead]

That's right! I have a standing agreement with the local conservation officer near me that if he happens upon a bull snake, rat snake, etc and doesn't know what to do with it, bring it on over to my place and put it in my pole barn. It is a welcome guest. Had a bull snake one year that I could always count on being in the hay pile on one corner of the barn. I didn't bother him and he wasn't scared of me. But he must have moved on.

[down_home]

Mice. Rats will chew their way through even thin metals. Certainly plugging up holes with foam from Lowes etc that rats and mice don't like at all. Mice can get in a hole about as small as a pencil, and if need be enlarging it.
Most effective way is an animal. Ferrets, cats. Ferrets like to make nest of fabric and so on too though.
In enclosed storage they make a lot of sense, outside, of the rv but you do have to take care of them to an extent, like even barn cats.
The cat is perhaps the better choice in most weather.
A rat snake or other type will work but most people are not in tune with them.
Farmers know, and won't harm the snakes in the barn except the poisonous ones.
Baited Traps might get most or even all but not necessarily.
I have two of the plug in whatchamacallits, in our huge basement at home. So far no rats but one snake did crawl in while I was doing some cleaning with door open.
Poisons work well but we don't want them in the walls when they die.
Those with Warfrin do not harm humans and most others. The mice and rats go looking for water. So have some water, nearby, but not in the rv. Warfrin is a blood thinner, prescribed for humans.

[grampscamper]

We had mice for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I’m not sure how long they were in there but I don’t think more than a few days. I had bounce sheets, cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil and Irish Spring soap graded up in plates all over our 5th wheel. There were droppings in the soap and some of the cotton balls were gone. I assumed to be used for nesting. I set 6 traps and got 3 mice the first time. Just got another the other day. Hopefully I got them all now. I’ll keep checking.
I agree with drsteve. Seal up all the holes and set traps. My RV is stored an hour away from home. I’ll take a drive every couple of weeks and check for mice.

[jerryjay11]

Lowes and Home Depot also has mouse repellant. It comes in little packets and so-far-so-good. I also use sticky traps though some people may think it is inhumane, but it won't poison your pets. Not sure how effective the plug-in noise maker thingies are though I have two in the camper as well.

[drsteve]

The forum is full of posts from people who found mouse nests in their rigs constructed of dryer sheets and lined with peppermint soaked cotton balls. Best way to deal with mice is to seal the coach, and set traps for the ones that still find their way in.

[Copperhead]

I would consider something like Mouse Free.

http://www.mouse-free.com

[mat60]

Do dryer sheets help keep mice away also?

[tinstartrvlr]

Whiskey River wrote:
Dress up the hole the pooch dug into the dash. Laminate the picture of the pup relaxing on the couch and glue it over the hole...

:B great idea!

[Whiskey_River]

Dress up the hole the pooch dug into the dash. Laminate the picture of the pup relaxing on the couch and glue it over the hole...

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

NMDriver wrote:
It is a little bit tedious to check them regularly but I keep snap traps under the hood. Poison works but they may die in a hard to access place or crawl out for your pet to munch on.

And the new "Second-Generation" poisons will also kill the animal that munches on the nearly-dead or dead rodent.

[newman_fulltime]

give Arizona rv salvage a email with pics of needed parts

[NMDriver]

It is a little bit tedious to check them regularly but I keep snap traps under the hood. Poison works but they may die in a hard to access place or crawl out for your pet to munch on.

[Scottiemom]

That poor doggie had a hard job but looked like he was up to it! Man. Sorry for the damage, but it looks like what he pulled out was a nest. Like you said, probably a good thing it was found. I like your idea of fixing it. . . I was thinking something similar.

I don't know if any of the surplus RV sites would help or not.

Johnson's

Bontrager's

They both do mail order off the internet.

Good luck.

Dale