Refrig vent and critters

[dcavaiani]

Can mice squeeze in thru the vent openings in the side removable panel behind the fridge?

[mike837go]

Probably, some mice are darned small.


But, how would they scale the vertical side first? Toeholds are tough to come by...


Be much more concerned about the power cord, tires, tongue jack and stabilizers as paths to the RV. Then they have full run of the framework, suspension parts, wiring, plumbing and propane lines. Where these lines enter and exit the cabin, is where we have to close any gaps.


Not just mice. Insects just love to settle into quiet places out of the full sun or rain...


And don't get me started on wire-munching chipmunks!

[dcavaiani]

Mike,

Helpful and funny too! Thanks! The vertical scaling issue makes sense. I just thought that maybe the design of the vent holes would make it impossible for a mouse to contort in order to enter ...

[mike837go]

If there is a hole, with better conditions or food on the other side, a mouse will get through. Even if it has to chew the hole wider.


Then it will set up housekeeping. Invite the spouse and raise a family.


I keep bait stations of industrial strength Coumadin throughout my barn/shop.

[dcavaiani]

Mike, I like your vertical toehold logic. I keep my camper shined with Turtle wax regularly. I think I will add a bit more right around and on the vent itself ;-)

[mike837go]

Plus, keep the grass and weeds around the RV really short. Watch for signs of insect/critter activity in the area.


You don't want anything other than your family setting up housekeeping in your RV.

[Grumpy]

They can slip through a opening as small as a quarter. They do make critter guards for the fridge vent.


http://www.amazon.com/Camco-42149-Fl.../dp/B0024E6UE0

[Northern Jay]

Yes indeed mice can climb the side of your TT. I have seen deer mice climb the tongue jack as well. Pest resistant expanding foam is your friend. I have foamed every hole/access point. The mouse got into the interior of our TT by going in the fridge vent and then down the propane line. We were NOT impressed as it was our first outing last fall. I am also going to mod the shore power cord to be removable as the can climb that as well and can get in past the door.
Happy Camping

[gloryb]

My brother-in-law was a pest control technician. He said a mouse could get in an opening no more than the thickness of its skull as it could squeeze itself down. It was either an 1/8 or 1/4 of an inch in height. That's not a very big thickness!

[Wanderer]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

They can slip through a opening as small as a quarter. They do make critter guards for the fridge vent.


http://www.amazon.com/Camco-42149-Fl.../dp/B0024E6UE0

Thank you for this, I've been wondering what I could purchase to prevent the issue I had on my last trailer.

[denn888]

Originally Posted by dcavaiani

Can mice squeeze in thru the vent openings in the side removable panel behind the fridge?

Post #7 is the picture of the screens I installed on my fridge vent

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...tml#post329304

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by denn888

Post #7 is the picture of the screens I installed on my fridge vent

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...tml#post329304

I also installed the screen for the furnace vent, also keeps the mud dobbers out

Don

[Hohenwald48]

I've heard that any hole 1/4" and up was fair game for a mouse. I've also had them chew tunnels in expanding foam. I've been told they won't chew thru steel wool but can't confirm that.