Keeping mice out.

[JoshuaH]

I've decided to start storing my Pop-Up outside with a good quality cover over it. I'd like to try as much as possible to keep mice out of it so I'm looking for suggestions. I plan on putting steel wool in all of the access opening in the side wall. I don't think there are any other places one could get it but maybe I'm overlooking something. I don't really like the idea of putting traps or poison inside the camper because I don't really want a mouse dying and rotting inside, and sometimes I think these attract them into the camper. Thanks for your help!

[GoPackGo]

I think the steel wool will still rust due to humidity.

[JoshuaH]

Thanks everyone for all of the good suggestions.

BTW, I never meant to imply that the cover would prevent mice from coming in, I simply bough the cover to help protect the camper from the elements. None of the steel wool that I used will be exposed.

[JohnG3]

Gonzo42 wrote:
The way the gummint would do it is to post a "RODENT FREE ZONE" sign. That'll do it.

X2

[Wadcutter]

Bama bluejay wrote:
Been reading your posts. I've been researching info on different products and discovered a product called fresh cab. Like to know if anyone has used this product and whether it was effective.

I used Fresh Cab last year. The mice chewed a hole in the bag, spread the stuff inside around, and then used the bag to make a nest.
I'm going back to using mothballs and TomCat poison. It works.

[Sluggo54]

Wool doesn't have to be steel. It is available in copper and lead,also.

[MNGeeks61]

Bama bluejay wrote:
Been reading your posts. I've been researching info on different products and discovered a product called fresh cab. Like to know if anyone has used this product and whether it was effective.

We use it every winter up north in our seasonal campground. Honestly, we've used everything under the sun - have tried peppermint oil, fresh cab (hate mothballs, they stink up everything) and mouse traps plus poison. We did have a couple of mice last year, and it was a cold winter with little snow.

I don't think there is a completely 100% way to keep them out besides making sure you fill all the cracks and holes and keep anything out of the camper that they might smell and want to eat.

The peppermint oil and fresh cab are what I use in my sheds. No mice in there, but there's also nothing edible in there.

Fresh cab has the bonus of smelling really good when you open the camper in the spring, in my opinion.

I've heard mice will not attempt to chew through the metal underbelly on some park models/destination trailers/fifth wheels (our park model has the metal underbelly, we'll see how it works this winter).

[NYCgrrl]

retiredtraveler wrote:
I've decided to start storing my Pop-Up outside with a good quality cover over it. I'd like to try as much as possible to keep mice out of it so I'm looking for suggestions. I plan on putting steel wool in all of the access opening in the side.....

NO, NO, NO. Steel wool rusts!!! Have you not used it for cleaning in your house only to see an old pad rust and break down?

We've discussed mouse issues for years and the jury is out about scents. For everyone that says mothballs work, someone else posts a picture of a mouse nest lined with them. Using something like foam and finding EVERY possible crack and crevice and sealing it is the only way. I'm not sure what to do with trailers. For pups, someone goes under the pup with a flashlight (when it's dark) and shines the light under the floor and someone inside looks for any light coming in.
Also, why do you think a cover would keep mice out? You would have to wrap the entire unit up --- no point in that. By the way, RV covers are another old, discussion area. Yeah, you can purchase an expensive breathable cover, or you can simply get an inexpensive tarp and tie it to the unit so it goes down the sides, but not underneath.
I used to put 2x4's on the roof and put the tarp over them, so the tarp was not clinging to the roof.

I have to agree with you on the use of fabric/plastic RV covers when it comes to rodent prevention. Recently saw the damage a rat did that was trapped in a public hallway with a 3"-5" bed of concrete embedded porcelain tiles. He successfully started 2 holes in the floor within the space of 3 days (the time it took to get someone to kill him) :E. Makes me shudder. Never seen any conclusive study on scents deterring rodents.

[colliehauler]

philh wrote:
Peppermint oil or oil of wintergreen on cotton balls place outside where they might want to climb into the trailer. They HATE the smell

There is a product called Mouse Magic that is just that, Peppermint oil in bags you put in the RV. This will be my first year using it.

[Bama_bluejay]

Been reading your posts. I've been researching info on different products and discovered a product called fresh cab. Like to know if anyone has used this product and whether it was effective.

[retiredtravele1]

I've decided to start storing my Pop-Up outside with a good quality cover over it. I'd like to try as much as possible to keep mice out of it so I'm looking for suggestions. I plan on putting steel wool in all of the access opening in the side.....

NO, NO, NO. Steel wool rusts!!! Have you not used it for cleaning in your house only to see an old pad rust and break down?

We've discussed mouse issues for years and the jury is out about scents. For everyone that says mothballs work, someone else posts a picture of a mouse nest lined with them. Using something like foam and finding EVERY possible crack and crevice and sealing it is the only way. I'm not sure what to do with trailers. For pups, someone goes under the pup with a flashlight (when it's dark) and shines the light under the floor and someone inside looks for any light coming in.
Also, why do you think a cover would keep mice out? You would have to wrap the entire unit up --- no point in that. By the way, RV covers are another old, discussion area. Yeah, you can purchase an expensive breathable cover, or you can simply get an inexpensive tarp and tie it to the unit so it goes down the sides, but not underneath.
I used to put 2x4's on the roof and put the tarp over them, so the tarp was not clinging to the roof.

[shadows4]

I have used moth balls, peppermint oil,poison none kept them out. Tired of cleaning up after them each spring. Spent a lot of time last year trying to mouse proof. Covered or sealed all holes, or so I thought. Found one I missed. Between top of water tank and bottom of the trailer where the water lines enter, large hole.
I fix this with steel wool and expanding foam. They make one with poison in it already. We shall see.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

I've used mothballs successfully for years, in our stored boats. But boats are opened up in the spring, so the mothball smell goes away. Not sure I want that in my RV.... so I make sure there's no food left in the RV, and then put a bunch of snap-traps around the perimeter. So far, it's worked.

[AmericalVette]

GoPackGo wrote:
Moth balls. I used to buy a box every fall for my pop-up. I would put about 5 mothballs in each dixie cup and put dixie cups in the drawers, storage compartments, etc. Basically everywhere insde my pop-up. Even left a few sitting on the floor. On the exterior, I would put a cup behind each exterior access panel (such as the water heater) and even set a couple in the battery/propane compartment. Basically, anywhere I could fit a cup.

In the spring I would open it up and collect all the dixie cups, then leave it open for a few days. Never, ever had a problem.

This sounded like a good idea, so I thought rather than buying them I'd have my porch light on all evening trying to attract enough moths. But it seems that all of the moths so far have been female. So I guess I'll just have to buy 'em after all.

[eric1514]

JoshuaH wrote:

Does it give off any kind of odor that people can smell?

Yeah, it smells just like you would think bobcat piss would smell like. I wouldn't put it in your RV, just around.