Do you know that mice, rats, squirrels, and different rodents could cause HUGE injury to your motorhome, RV or camper? The truth is, only in the near past a buddy of mine had her journey RUINED as a result of a mouse chewed her gas line.
That will help you keep away from the identical drawback, we’ve put collectively this information on the BEST mouse deterrent for campers to guard your van from rodents, and different ideas and residential treatments you would possibly need to strive too.
Don’t neglect to seize your FREE motorhome upkeep guidelines under to ensure you get all of your checks achieved.
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Mice in your motorhome- the issue
Till you’ve found a mouse in your motorhome or campervan, it’s troublesome to clarify the injury they’ll do.
We discovered mice in our motorhome a few years in the past, after we’d been wild tenting in Scotland. That they had eaten into ALL the dried meals (together with the pet food) and had destroyed my folding yoga mat to make a nest beneath the fridge.
To say it was a multitude is an understatement.
The injury {that a} mouse can do to your motorhome
Nevertheless, it seems we bought away evenly.
Lately, I met a buddy of mine known as Leah up in Scotland and we had been planning a route across the North Coast 500 with our motorhomes.
We bought barely an hour north of Edinburgh, and he or she mentioned she may scent diesel. Once we stopped, diesel was POURING out… and we found {that a} mouse had chewed by means of her hose.
Sadly, this meant she needed to be towed again south and missed out on the whole journey. 🙁
We need to aid you keep away from this trauma.
We’ve rounded up the most effective deterrents to maintain mice, rats, squirrels, snakes and different rodents out of your motorhome, campervan, caravan or RV, plus some pure or dwelling treatments which you’ll choose up from anyplace.
How do mice and different pests get into your van?
Because the temperatures drop, the animals begin in search of someplace heat to make their nests… and your van is the PERFECT place (particularly if there’s meals saved inside too.)
Mice have two high skills- they’re small they usually’re nice at climbing. This implies they’ll and can discover entry factors into your camper, even in the event you suppose it’s too excessive off the bottom for them.
They’ll enter by ducts, exterior vents, holes in roofs, flooring or partitions, tubes, aerial holes and the most typical possibility is that they climb the tyre into the engine bay.
Different pests and bugs can get entry by way of:
- Actually tiny openings between panels or exterior (resembling the place pipes go by means of)
- Cracks within the flooring or air flow holes
- By doorways, home windows or hatches left ajar
How are you aware in the event you’ve bought mice or pests in your motorhome?
The Biscuit take a look at!
In case you’re shutting down your van for the winter, and need to know if any unwelcome ‘company’ have moved in (I don’t imply the in-laws!), then put a chunk of biscuit on the ground of your van if you depart it.
If it’s nonetheless there if you come again, you may be moderately certain you’re secure from pests and rodents in your van.
If it’s not… 😱
Shutting down your motorhome/ camper for winter?
Seize your FREE winter shutdown guidelines right here
What’s one of the best ways to maintain mice out of an RV or camper?
The simplest strategy to keep away from injury to your camper from mice or rodents is to not allow them to in within the first place.
You are able to do this by:
- sealing all factors of entry (though you’ll nonetheless want some for air flow)
- utilizing rodent scarers and deterrents
- not storing meals in your van, particularly in decrease lockers
- maintaining your camper clear inside
- Not storing meals or leaving garbage baggage exterior your van to take to the bin within the morning!
How do I maintain mice or bugs out of my RV camper within the winter or in storage?
Most undesirable pest ‘invasions’ occur over winter or when your van isn’t getting used usually.
It doesn’t at all times should be in storage. Leah’s van was broken after she wild camped subsequent to a loch in Scotland!
However the majority of rodents discover a approach into automobiles which aren’t getting used so much. To assist cease this, you may match issues like exterior vent covers, seal up filling factors and even placing a canopy in your van will help.
How do you retain mice from climbing into your van?
It at all times surprises me simply how HIGH these critters can soar and climb. Tyres, standing, awnings- you identify it, they’ll climb it.
If you wish to cease mice from climbing up your tyres, you may wrap rings of sheet metallic round your tyres, jack stands or anything you don’t need mice to climb up! Make the rings a few foot tall and no mouse will be capable of scale it.
What’s the finest mouse deterrents for campers and motorhomes?
There are a number of issues you are able to do to discourage mice from selecting your van. The primary choices are:
- Sprays with important oils (like Peppermint)
- Ultrasonic Pest Repellents (Battery, plug-in or 12v variations)
- Humane traps
Sprays with Important oils
Peppermint oil is the most typical type of rodent deterrent we’ve heard of, and is the most effective pure treatment too.
Mice apparently hate the scent of peppermint, in order that they received’t go close to the van.
Lavender has additionally been identified to have an analogous impact, as does eucalyptus, chilli oil and mint.
use Peppermint Oil to repel mice
An important issues is the energy of the mix- the stronger the scent, the extra poor Mr Mouse doesn’t prefer it.
Nevertheless, with important oils, you must think about
- Your well being circumstances
- Pets you’ve
Some folks can react badly to important oils, so use a bit to begin with and construct up. Additionally, ensure you put them someplace a pet can’t drink or chew them. ]
To make use of Oil with cotton balls to repel mice in your van
Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and put throughout your motorhome or RV. In case you put them in a jar, make certain the lid xis off.
In fact, you’ll must replenish and exchange the oil/ cotton wool pretty usually.
To make use of oil with spray- for exterior use
In a 400ml spray bottle, add the peppermint oil drops and water. Make this as potent as you would like. You’ll be able to add approx. 10-15 drops to 400ml for a robust combine. Shake nicely to combine collectively.
Spray onto across the parameter of your van on the bottom exterior. This may create a scent barrier that the mice won’t need to cross. Do that as soon as per week or after heavy rain.
However in the event you spray round your van beneath, this could assist with not having it dilute/wash away with rain.
Use the Oils and Spray for Inner use
Create a weaker spray (use 3-5 drops of peppermint oil per 400ml). You don’t need it too sturdy, particularly in the event you’re travelling with canine.
Spray this onto areas the place there’s an inlet or gap into the van.
CAUTION: Don’t spray onto something the place there’s going to be direct heat- this spray is oil primarily based and flammable!
In case your van goes into storage for winter, you might most likely make a stronger mixture of the inner spray and depart it there while you’re not utilizing your van.
Does peppermint spray actually maintain mice away?
Apparently so! Many individuals have used this spray with success- so it’s value attempting.
Greatest mouse deterrent for campers- pre-made sprays
In case you don’t need to make your individual, you should purchase pre-made sprays
Ultrasonic 240v pest repellents
These are extensively offered, however have very combined critiques they usually’re not the most effective resolution to maintain mice away from motorhomes or RVs.
For a begin, they require energy, which will likely be a continuing drain in your motorhome leisure battery.
Subsequent, they don’t work immediately, however work over time, by emitting completely different frequencies of ultrasonic waves to annoy the nervous system of bugs and rats. This makes the pests really feel uncomfortable in order that they transfer away.
Intermittent modifications in ultrasound frequency stop them from creating immunity and flexibility.
They’re presupposed to be imperceptible to people, however many individuals have reported feeling complications or listening to high-frequency noise.
They can be utilized exterior or inside (relying on the mannequin), so may be fitted into engine bays or beneath the van.
12v or Battery operated Rodent Scarers
It’s additionally potential to purchase 12v or battery-powered variations of those rodent scarers. These may be simpler to suit, however you must bear in mind to vary the batteries or that there’ll nonetheless be a drain in your battery.
Personally, we used these in a storage just a few years in the past and didn’t have nice success, however be happy to attempt to see in the event that they be just right for you. That is the best rated one on Amazon.
Mothballs
One other scent mice don’t like is mothballs, so contemplating placing a few of these round your van.
Different scents rodents don’t like embrace; vinegar, clove oil and cayenne pepper.
Do dryer sheets maintain mice out of camper?
Apparently so! Within the UK, we don’t use dryer sheets as a lot as they do in America, however many individuals have urged them as an amazing resolution to repel mice in your RV or motorhome. Once more, you’ll want to interchange usually to keep up effectiveness.
Humane Traps
When you have an present drawback with mice or rodents in your van, you would possibly need to use a humane entice to catch them.
Lastly- the BEST mouse deterrent for campers, motorhomes and RVs…?
Get a cat.
I’ve by no means ever heard of a motorhome or RV proprietor who travels with a cat who’ve a cat who has an issue with mice of their van. Co-incedence? I feel not…
Many due to Leah for her images and ideas when penning this submit. Observe her on Instagram
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