When people think of the biggest threats you can face as an RVer, most people think of severe storms, hail, and towing dangers. In reality, however, one of the biggest threats is much smaller and furrier: mice.
That’s right. Mice are considered one of the biggest RV threats because of the multitude of ways they can damage your rig. Therefore, it’s important to know how to keep mice out of your RV so that you and your family remain safe (and healthy).
Recognizing and Addressing Mouse Infestations
To take the measures necessary to keep mice out of your RV, it’s important to understand why exactly they’re so dangerous.
Health Risks Associated with Mice
Mice are known to carry parasites, viruses, germs, and diseases that are dangerous to humans and animals alike.
While it’s unlikely you’ll run into an aggressive mouse that tries to bite you, biting isn’t the only way they can spread diseases. Once they enter your RV, mice urinate and defecate in your RV, leaving behind waste that’s infested with parasites. Not to mention, mice tend to carry fleas, ticks, and mites.
Here are some of the most common and dangerous diseases that mice are known to carry:
- Typhys
- Hantavirus
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis
- Plague
- Leptospirosis
Because mice can get into your rig through even the smallest holes, you’ll need to remain proactive and hypervigiliant.
RV Damage a Mouse Can Do
In addition to the health hazards associated with mice and other vermin, these pests also jeopardize your RVs’ well-being. Mice can damage nearly every part of your rig, from your flooring to your ceiling and electrical system.
Here are just a few examples of damage mice can inflict:
- They can infiltrate the engine compartment and chew through wiring.
- They can create holes in your ceiling, flooring, or walls.
- They can eat away at your roof, resulting in water leaks.
- They can get inside your walls and chew through electrical wires.
- They can contaminate your food sources, resulting in food waste & food-borne illness.
- They can damage your furniture and other personal belongings.
On top of the actual dangers that mice pose to your RV, if your spouse is anything like mine, they will refuse to live in a camper that’s also housing a mouse. Therefore, if you want to keep the family together and sane, keep mice out of your camper!
Signs of a Mouse Infestation
If you’re worried about an “invasion of the mice,” here are a few signs to watch out for.
- Mouse droppings – When mice poop, they leave little droppings behind. If you find these droppings inside your camper, you almost definitely have a mouse infestation.
- Small holes – Another surefire sign of a mouse infestation is if you see little holes, roughly an inch or two round, in your camper. Mice dig/chew holes in your walls, floor, and ceiling, creating travel paths they can use to navigate your camper.
- A dead mouse – If you find a dead mouse in your camper, there are probably a few of its living friends nearby.
- Small holes in food packages – Mice have razor-sharp teeth that they use to chew through food bags and containers. If you notice tiny holes in your food packages, you probably have mice to thank for it.
- Noises in the night – One of the more disturbing signs of a mouse infestation is the sound of chittering, scratching, and tiny footsteps in your camper. This is especially true at night, which is when mice are most active.
Essential Steps for Preventing Mice Invasions
Now that you know more about the dangers of mice and how to know if you have an infestation, let’s look at how to keep mice outside, where they belong.
Inspect and Seal Potential Entry Points
Your first order of business is to inspect your rig’s exterior and check for potential entry points. This includes checking your roof, siding, and slideouts for holes or gaps. Most important of all, check your camper underbody for holes in your insulation where a mouse could crawl through.
If you notice any holes in your siding or roof, use silicone caulk to seal them. For your RV underbody, use spray foam insulation or steel wool to seal off potential entry points.
Maintain Camper Cleanliness
The fastest way to attract mice to your camper is to leave food and crumbs lying around. Mice have an incredible sense of smell and can sense food from miles away.
Therefore, always clean up after yourself when you cook, which should include washing dishes, wiping up crumbs, and storing your food in glass or plastic containers.
Use Natural Mouse Deterrents
Natural mouse deterrents can be a great way to keep mice away from your camper. Natural deterrents are also more eco-friendly and less dangerous to humans or pets if they accidentally touch or consume them.
Here are a few of the best natural mouse and rodent deterrents:
- Irish Spring soap
- A mixture of water and apple cider vinegar
- Peppermint oil spray
The best way to implement these preventative measures is to soak cotton balls in them and disperse them around your RV’s perimeter. Additionally, while it isn’t as natural as soap, vinegar, and peppermint oil, fresh cab pouches are another excellent deterrent.
Think About Where You Park
While mice can enter an RV no matter where you park, they’re far less likely to if you park on concrete, asphalt, or another type of solid surface. Field mice feel more at home traveling on grass and dirt, so parking on concrete might just save you from an infestation.
Use Electronic Mouse Repellents
If natural deterrents aren’t doing the trick, you can also use electronic ones. Electronic deterrents prevent mice from entering your camper by emitting ultrasonic sound waves that deter mice. These devices can also potentially deter other rodents, but their main purpose is for repelling mice.
Be Wary of Misconceptions
In addition to the to-dos, you’ll also want to brush up on the what-not-to-dos. As an RV owner, it’s just as important to know about the pest control measures you should avoid.
For instance, there are many misconceptions about certain items that are supposed to be mouse repellents but actually aren’t.
For example, mothballs and dryer sheets have long been considered a mouse deterrent. However, they don’t give off enough of an odor to keep mice and other animals from entering your RV. So, save yourself the disappointment and opt for one of the tactics above instead.
Handling an Existing Mouse Infestation
If you started being proactive too late and you already have a mouse or rodent problem, here’s how to handle it.
Humane Trapping Options
If you’re like me and want to get rid of your RV rodent without killing it, consider using a humane trap to catch mice. The best humane trap is a sticky mouse pad that traps the mouse once it steps onto the pad, but doesn’t kill it. You can then take the pad and mouse several hundred yards away from your camper and release it back into the wild.
You can also use motel mouse traps as another no-kill option. Motel mouse traps are like tiny mouse houses that you place food inside to lure the mice. Once the mouse enters, the entrance shuts, trapping the mouse inside until you release it back into the wild.
Traditional Mouse Traps
If, however, you want to get rid of your mouse problem once and for all, setting up a traditional mousetrap is the way to go. Traditional mousetraps have an apparatus that snaps down on top of the mouse when it sets foot on the trap, killing it.
For maximum effectiveness, set up mouse traps near any mouse holes, inside your pantry, or near entry points. Just be sure that everyone in your household knows about the traps so they don’t accidentally step on them!
Final Thoughts
Regardless of which method you prefer, it’s important to tend to your mouse infestation early, before they can reproduce and multiply. A female mouse can have between five and ten litters of mice per year, consisting of five or six mice each time! Therefore, it’s crucial to address mouse problems quickly, whether that means keeping mice out with deterrents or eliminating mice already in your RV.
In addition to protecting your RV while you’re using it, it’s essential to keep your RV free of mice while it’s in storage. Consider using Neighbor, a peer-to-peer RV storage marketplace, to find safe, affordable, and mouse-proof storage (like an indoor, climate-controlled facility) near you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Mouse Repellent for Campers?
Cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil or apple cider vinegar are the best natural deterrent for mice. However, sticky pads and mousetraps are the best way to get rid of mice already inside your RV.
How Do I Keep Mice Out of My RV in the Winter?
You can use the same methods in the winter as in the summer. However, in the winter, it’s even more important to seal all your entry points, as mice will be looking for somewhere warm to stay.
