Critter repellent (Winter storage)

[Kashmir]

Ok folks, I've used search and can find nothing on this.
I have my 04 Jayco fifth wheel at a permanent seasonal campground.
Last winter at least 7 (that I know of) campers had damage from raccoons.
Seems in all of the cases, the raccoons got under the covers and dug into the roof near the a/c unit or one of the vents. ALL seven of these campers were totaled by the insurance companies for damage inside.

What can I do that would be effective to repel these varmints?

[Kashmir]

Nothing?

[2naEagle]

Well my thinking would be to make sure everything is sealed up good and to make sure that there is no food or even a smell of food in the trailer (not even caned food).
At my hunting camps I would clean, take out ALL food, spray with Ortho Home Defense, and put up Hot Shot No Pest Strip.

[oldmanAZ]

So, "...raccoons got under the covers..." Did the raccoons damage units NOT covered?

[Kashmir]

As far as I know, no campers that were uncovered were disturbed.
The seven I actually know of all had covers. Seems the critters wanted out of the weather, the started to dig into the roofs and eventually made their way inside.....

I know the next suggestion will be to not cover the camper....I’m not positive I can leave this uncovered for five months of not being there.....

[DocBrown]

Originally Posted by Kashmir

I know the next suggestion will be to not cover the camper....I’m not positive I can leave this uncovered for five months of not being there.....

Help us understand why not?

I've had occasion to drive by our favorite CG during winter months. Only a few of the seasonal folks cover their units. Those with the really big units do not cover them.

[Kashmir]

I guess I can’t answer “why not”....
I’ve just always been of the thinking that campers should be covered over the winter.
(Full disclosure, I’m still fairly new at this. Only in my fourth year owing campers)

[oldmanAZ]

Seems like as long as some other folks cover theirs, the uncovered ones will be safe?

Kinda' like not having outrun a bear, just being able to outrun whoever else is running from the bear.

[bankedtime]

Try this, have had good results

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...epellant-10-oz

[Iraqvet05]

For raccoons, I’d try coyote urine or the scent from a predator. Check the hunting section at Walmart or a sporting goods store.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Kashmir

I guess I can’t answer “why not”....
I’ve just always been of the thinking that campers should be covered over the winter.
(Full disclosure, I’m still fairly new at this. Only in my fourth year owing campers)

40 yrs and never covered our units.

[Bandit12]

I got some paperwork form our county fairgrounds that I filled out and returned to them to reserve a spot in a covered building for the winter. I plan on dropping of the TT sometime around the middle to end of Oct. The rates they gave me were $2.25 per for unsecured and $3.50 per foot for being in a secured, locked building. I figure as long as it is under cover and I have it locked up, that's good enough for me. If I remove my spare tire carrier, the over all length of my TT is 25 feet. That comes out to $56.25 per month, less than $2 per day. I'm going to winterize it first of course, remove the propane tanks and battery, take all food out of it, and probably put some moth balls around the inside. The deal they make is you pay thru Jan when you drop it off and the balance when you pick it up in the spring. You might check with some various facilities on your area to see if they offer something similar.

[Bandit12]

I used to cover my pop up when I had it. This was from one single storm here in California.

[Campingteacher79]

I use Bounce dryer sheets all over my trailer. My camping season's done, I'm back up north and my trailer isn't. I've been told they repel mice, and I've never had any issues with terrible beasts of any size getting into my campers.

thanks!

Kevin

[eagleback]

Originally Posted by Campingteacher79

I use Bounce dryer sheets all over my trailer. My camping season's done, I'm back up north and my trailer isn't. I've been told they repel mice, and I've never had any issues with terrible beasts of any size getting into my campers.

thanks!

Kevin

Same here but the walmart brand lavender dryer sheets are a upper michigan cabin standard but in your case being outside you need to place moth balls in containers.

[John from Central Florida]

Originally Posted by Kashmir

What can I do that would be effective to repel these varmints?

We tried mothballs once in our old popup. We left them in there for a few months when in storage with the camper closed up. No varmints, but we were left with a pretty nasty stench from the mothballs that we could never get rid of.

Maybe you and your neighbors should hire a former Navy SEAL. Your problems should be over in no time...

[DocBrown]

Originally Posted by Kashmir

I guess I can’t answer “why not”....
I’ve just always been of the thinking that campers should be covered over the winter.
(Full disclosure, I’m still fairly new at this. Only in my fourth year owing campers)

I've never covered our trailers. I keep them waxed and the only issues I've had have been faded decals.

[Kashmir]

Well yeah, but all you have to do is jump in the DeLorean and go back in time to fix your issues....

[RogerR]

I think the best repellent for rodents is filling the holes with metal ( copper or stainless scrubbing pads, aluminum screen wire, etc.) held in place with lots of spray foam or silicone caulk. You have to spend some quality time under that beast to find them all.
I also went inside and checked every cabinet, hot water heater and pump spaces, under beds and put more screen wire and foam there. Then I went out side and put barriers behind the refrigerator vents and covered all the water heater and furnace openings with screen wire wasp screens. Last, I made sure my main power cable was fully latched.
Threw in a few Fresh Cab bags and several mouse sticky boards for good measure.

[Kashmir]

I’m not concerned with small holes and spaces. I can get those taken care of.
My campground had seven campers that had raccoons dig through perfectly good roofs and destroy the interiors.