Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Jayco RV Owners Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-13-2012, 11:04 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: New Brighton, PA
Posts: 131
Unhappy MICE - Help!

Okay Gang, been a while since we've been online here. Our Camper is sitting on a permanent site at a very nice campground. This Saturday we went out to camp for the day and came back on Sunday. Low & Behold, we have Mice Droppings on our kitchen counter Sunday morning. No signs the day before. This is the only place we found evidence of the rodent.

We keep things perfectly clean & all food is stored containers. Not sure how they got in, esepcially since we've been told that the underneath of our TT is sealed off. Realizing it only takes a 1/2" of space for them to find their way in. So we're looking for sugestions.

We currently put traps up (Kitchen sink, Pantry, near all drains) along with Balsam Bags as recommended by the campground owners. We are going to put Steel Wool in all the floor drains. The campground also recommends this product that is sprayed underneth (has a vaseline look to it). Run us about $300 to have done, suppose to work.

We're reacing out to you guys for recommendations. Not sure if the cridder is still in the trailer or if it will return. Don't want to take any chances.

As always, you guys are great for suggestions..

Thanks in advance everyone.
John & Janine
2012 Jayco 308RETS
__________________
John & Janine
Pazzo the Maltese
New Brighton, PA.

2012 Jayco Super Lite 308 RETS
2014 Georgetown 328TSF
2013 Jeep Rubicon w/Mods
308rets is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2012, 12:46 PM   #2
Moderator Emeritus
 
Rustic Eagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
John,

There are numerous ways to deal with mice in a TT, but I have to question spending $300 as a possible solution.

I have always had good luck with a couple standard spring loaded traps baited with peanut butter, unless you run across a smart mouse like I did recently. Just for grins, check this out: http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...-One-Man/page3

Bob
__________________

2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
Rustic Eagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2012, 01:18 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: New Brighton, PA
Posts: 131
Bob,

I couldn't agree more.. Not in a big hurry to drop $300 if I can avoid this. After 20 years of camping, first time mouse experience.. Great story by the way in your other thread. I did set up 4 spring loaded traps - One in the Pantry, under the sink near the hot water tank, one on the kitchen counter and a fourth in the bathroom vanity for GP!

Heading up tomorrow to check on the situation.. I'll keep you posted..

John
__________________
John & Janine
Pazzo the Maltese
New Brighton, PA.

2012 Jayco Super Lite 308 RETS
2014 Georgetown 328TSF
2013 Jeep Rubicon w/Mods
308rets is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2012, 04:31 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
tinlizzie23's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Luray, VA (central Shenandoah Valley of VA)
Posts: 1,430
I'll have to agree - $300 is way too much. In the house and in the 5er, we have always used spring traps and peanut butter with excellent and permanent results.
__________________
2003 Ford F-350 V-10 Crew Cab 4WD Long Bed
2004 Jayco Designer Medallion 29 RLTS 5th wheel
Bill, Gayle, Teddy (Jack Russell terrier), and Honey (Beagle)
Retired at last !

Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.
tinlizzie23 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2012, 05:43 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Jagiven's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,739
I can’t tell you how they are getting in. But this is what I would do to try to stop future mice attacks (sometimes it feels like a war against mice). I would spend a few hours looking over ever possible nook and cranny. From the inside I would look at every penetration hole in the floors and walls, ie electrical and gas penetrations. You may need to remove the false walls in the trailer to get to them all. When you find one I would use a clear pure silicone caulk and fill the gap. From the outside I would do the same on the under carriage and walls. Do not over look where your shore power connection. There you do not want to use caulk. There you could use a Stainless Steel type steel wool, to fill the gap behind the cover, this also allows you to coil the power feed wire back in during off seasons.

Best of luck with your counter attack.
__________________

2012 Jayco X23B
2020 Ram Laramie 3500 SRW Air ride 50Gal fuel tank.
2007 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab (sold)
Equal-I-zer 4-Point Sway Control
Jagiven is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2012, 07:55 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: New Brighton, PA
Posts: 131
Thanks for the input everyone. Jagiven - Steel wool is on my list of things to buy. I plan on using it everywhere a pipe comes up throught the floor. I will be checking the entire undercarriage, even though it's enclosed, I'm sure there's a spot somewhere they could be getting in.

The only place we had evidence was on the kitchen counter. I'm thinking they may be coming up behind the stove. Heading to Campground tonight to see if my spring loaded traps worked. I'm hoping it's only one since it's so early in the season and really haven't had any cold weather yet.

I'll keep everyone posted..
Thanks..
__________________
John & Janine
Pazzo the Maltese
New Brighton, PA.

2012 Jayco Super Lite 308 RETS
2014 Georgetown 328TSF
2013 Jeep Rubicon w/Mods
308rets is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2012, 08:42 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
The Hawk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Stockton, CA
Posts: 130
When we bought our Greyhawk the deal said that to keep out rodents put toilet bowl cleaner tablets that you hang in a standard toilet in each of the lower storage compartments and the smell will keep them out. Does it work, I guess, have not had any problems with the little critters.
__________________
Jim and Sharon
Jayco 2011 Greyhawk SS31
Stockton, CA
The Hawk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2012, 09:48 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Calgary
Posts: 524
I'm not sure about using traps as you have to check them out almost daily. I suggest using poison that come in those plastic bags. If they have been chewed through then you know you have a mouse and once they eat the stuff they leave or they dry up with no smell. I had one just this last spring but after I cleaned up there was no sign of mice and I don't know where they came in but they or it is gone and I ill try to find and seal an opening but I will place my poison packs around my unit which also includes my storage areas.
__________________
2007 Jayco Eagle 325BHS
2010 Dodge 3500 Laramie
Kipor 2000 Generator
Albertaguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2012, 10:59 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
The Hawk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Stockton, CA
Posts: 130
Poison work but where do they die, in the rig could get some rotten smells.
__________________
Jim and Sharon
Jayco 2011 Greyhawk SS31
Stockton, CA
The Hawk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2012, 11:15 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Calgary
Posts: 524
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Hawk View Post
Poison work but where do they die, in the rig could get some rotten smells.
Usually when they eat this stuff they leave the area and die somewhere else, but if they do die in the area then they shrivel up with no smell and all you have to do is remove the corpse. I have not had to remove the corpse from two incidents I have had in the last 5 years. One solution is to have the whole underside spray foamed but then I guess you have to consider the cost.
__________________
2007 Jayco Eagle 325BHS
2010 Dodge 3500 Laramie
Kipor 2000 Generator
Albertaguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2012, 12:11 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: New Brighton, PA
Posts: 131
ULTRASONIC Pest Control - Hmmmm.. Has anyone tried these?

They plug into an outlet and life is good - so they say! $24 bucks for a two pack made by Victor Pest Reellents! Not harmfull to pets (unless you have a pet mouse, gerbal or guinea pig. LOL!). One small sensor works up to 400 Square feet.

I may give it a shot along with the spring loaded traps. For $24 what do I have to loose!

Thanks again,
John
__________________
John & Janine
Pazzo the Maltese
New Brighton, PA.

2012 Jayco Super Lite 308 RETS
2014 Georgetown 328TSF
2013 Jeep Rubicon w/Mods
308rets is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2012, 12:18 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Jagiven's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,739
I tried ultrasonic in my shop. The instructions said to change the frequency periodicly, which I did and did, and still had them in the shop. My dog has been a much better mouser than anything.
__________________

2012 Jayco X23B
2020 Ram Laramie 3500 SRW Air ride 50Gal fuel tank.
2007 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab (sold)
Equal-I-zer 4-Point Sway Control
Jagiven is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2012, 12:18 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Jagiven's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,739
One more thing, dont forget your wheel wells
__________________

2012 Jayco X23B
2020 Ram Laramie 3500 SRW Air ride 50Gal fuel tank.
2007 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab (sold)
Equal-I-zer 4-Point Sway Control
Jagiven is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2012, 07:41 PM   #14
Junior Member
 
Matt B.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Jackson Michigan
Posts: 7
I bet the toilet bowl cleaner works well. My wife puts dryer sheets in the drawers, cabinets and storage areas to prevent mice. We've owned a travel trailer since 2003 and have been lucky enough to not have mice. I don't know if it's a result of the dryer sheets, but my wife is convienced. You can get a lot of toilet bowl cleaner or dryer sheets for $300.
__________________
2012 Jayco Eagle 314 BDS
2001 Chevy 3500 Duramax
GO BLUE!!
Matt B. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-15-2012, 06:30 AM   #15
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: New Brighton, PA
Posts: 131
UPDATE!

Ran out to camp last night and low and behold the little rodent returned. Ate the Peanut Butter off the trap on sink counter top (sneaky)! Looked at the trap under the sink and yes, he ate that too (sneakier)! UH, open the pantry door and the spring trap got him.. Teach you to mess with me.. LOL!

Spent two hours cleaning counters, drawers, pots and pans! Set up 3 new traps (Ortho Style), put Steel Wool in every floor opening (sink drains, water lines, etc..) that I could find. Also put steel wool at the Power Cord opening. This time of year I can only hope that it was just one curious mouse, but you never know! Especially with the amount of droppings we had.

By the way, the Balsom Balls don't work. I had them right next to the traps and the mouse still ate the bait!
__________________
John & Janine
Pazzo the Maltese
New Brighton, PA.

2012 Jayco Super Lite 308 RETS
2014 Georgetown 328TSF
2013 Jeep Rubicon w/Mods
308rets is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2012, 03:52 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Greater Cleveland Area
Posts: 113
I have had my best luck with peanut butter and the old fashioned spring trap.
__________________
2018 28BHS
2019 RAM 1500
Equal-i-zer
smoothy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2012, 04:28 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
Grumpy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Where ever the boss says we're going.
Posts: 15,948
Fresh Cab. Used by grain farmers in their combines.


http://www.earth-kind.com/
__________________
DISNEY LOVERS
Grumpy is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:27 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.