Uninvited guests

[Taurus2415]

I was getting the camper ready for our trip last weekend and found one of our kitchen towels all chewed up and being used for nesting material. I also found mouse droppings in that drawer and on the bathroom floor. I have read everything on this forum about critters and haven't seen anything that keeps those little buggers out. The thing that disturbed me more was finding their nest in the heat vent under the fridge. Grrrr.

We have been very diligent about keeping edibles in plastic containers but didn't expect the towel thing. If anyone has found methods that work to keep mice and such at bay please feel free to share.

[tinlizzie23]

Our camper is stored at home outside, but we keep Decon mouse bait pellets in the garage next to the camper. Never have a mouse problem. Don't know if the pellets are the reason, but they disappear, so mice must be attracted to them and not to the camper. Then they go elsewhere to die.

[Paintinfool3]

well get the muddobber screens for furnace and water heater inlets and outlets i think in our last camper they came through the furnace inlet then through the vents also check any water pipe runs through the floor and put stainless steel wool down through and around those openings and fill with caulk to hold it in hope that helps

[nylyon]

Past 2 years, mine has been critter free but in the winter months I equip it with 10 or so traps bated with peanut butter, several live traps too. I try to avoid the poison's as they are really nasty and inhumane. Mine is parked in the driveway and traps checked every couple days.

[clutch]

We use decon. If you can put some bright lights in your trailer when it's dark and then walk around the outside you can find where they are getting is sometimes. A little spray foam or steel wool will help eliminate the problem.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Mouse-Free! This stuff works as advertised. Spring 2013 we had mice in our brand new camper. Fall 2013 I sprayed it with Mouse-Free. Our daughter parks her 22FB right next to our camper and she had no mice. Spring 2014, we had no mice and she had one chew her sewer hose...so YES it works!

[fastercat]

bounce sheets for dryers, they have worked 10 years of harsh winters for us and never a tird or critter anywhere.

[Mpking]

My new to me pop up came with passengers. I chased them out with a broom. Placed sticky traps. Placed some mouse repellent (little bags sold at Lowe's) and sprinkled gopher and rodent poison around the camper. I found all the dead bodies the next day on the ground.

[Plowtoy]

Originally Posted by fastercat

bounce sheets for dryers, they have worked 10 years of harsh winters for us and never a tird or critter anywhere.

Yep, fabric softener sheets for the dryer does the trick, also leaves that fresh clean smell in the camper. I use about 12 sheets and place them all throughout the camper.

[dmward]

+1 on the fabric softener sheets (Bounce or whatever).

Using them since 2006 in a PUP and hybrid over winter. No critters.

[33 RLDS]

What if a mouse/ chipmunk eats that Decon poison then my cat eats the mouse? I guess the poison is not for everyone.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Just to let everyone know...we thought the Bounce dryer sheets worked too. They did not as the mice just used them for nesting materials.

[Mpking]

Originally Posted by 33 RLDS

What if a mouse/ chipmunk eats that Decon poison then my cat eats the mouse? I guess the poison is not for everyone.

Nope, it's not for everyone. That was a major concern about our Dog. We kept track of how many bodies we found, and when the number added up, we removed the remainder of the poison.

[Taurus2415]

Quick update. I initially put out a few mouse traps and got three mice. Then I found a hole where they were chewing wood and filled it (and a few other spots) with the expanding foam insulation. After more reading I decided to try peppermint oil. I put several cotton pads soaked with oil on aluminum foil. I haven't seen any evidence of mice since. A nice side-effect is the oil keeps my camper minty fresh.

[Jimw606]

I read somewhere, that Irish Spring soap, placed around the trailer would keep the mice out.
We have used it on our trailers, and it has worked for us.
Just open the box's and place them around the trailer.

[Maxi]

I heard dryer sheets that you put in your laundry works. I haven't tried it though. I sprinkled my kitchen with peppermint oil this morning to keep flies away.

[Little Shack]

I'm not sure if the dryer sheets work...they make things smell nice though! I have them tucked under the tubs, in closets, under the beds and benches, in case they make a difference. Even stuck one in the vent exhaust for the over the stove fan when I opened it up one day and got squeaked at! I have heard moth balls work too. I hate the smell, but if the trailer is stored for awhile I may try those. Just remember having a hard time getting rid of the moth ball smell years ago from some stored clothing. I am trying them in our trapline cabins though and will let you know when we head back this fall whether they made any difference in the amount of mouse mess I have to clean up. I am going to try cedar moth balls in the trailer too. They smell good to me, but maybe mice don't like them??

[jddave]

I used the Irish Spring Soap[original scent] when I had mice building their nest in my seldom used Pontiac under the hood.Mechanic said to shave the soap with a cheese tool and put on the firewall ledge near front/ This worked great- never saw a mouse again so I will use it this winter in camper.

Pam & Dave
Oshawa Ontario

[cekkk]

The Decon works, but you may lift a pillow or couch cushion and find them all! The rodents can crawl back into a wall, etc., and croak and smell. As for humane, well, they ain't human! Try your best to screen or otherwise shut off any possible openings or access points. I've seen suggestions of placing repellants, even drier softeners around the tires and jack stand. This would work best if the camper is in an enclosed, dry structure.

[Gma-n-Gpa]

if you use moth balls try putting them in a glass pint or quart jar the odor is the same but since the math balls are NOT on the carpet/seats/etc you won't have the lingering smell

I am not saying moth balls work or not, just suggesting a way to control the left over smell