Do you know that mice, rats, squirrels, and different rodents could cause HUGE harm to your motorhome, RV or camper? In truth, only in the near past a pal 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 downside, 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 may wish to attempt too.
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In the event you discover this publish helpful, you can too deal with us to a espresso on the backside of this page- we promise to get pleasure from it whereas creating extra helpful content material like this- we’d even bask in a biscuit (or two!)
Mice in your motorhome- the issue
Till you’ve found a mouse in your motorhome or campervan, it’s troublesome to clarify the harm they’ll do.
We discovered mice in our motorhome a few years in the past, after we’d been wild tenting in Scotland. They’d 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 large number is an understatement.
The harm {that a} mouse can do to your motorhome
Nonetheless, it seems we obtained away flippantly.
Lately, I met a pal of mine known as Leah up in Scotland and we had been planning a route across the North Coast 500 with our motorhomes.
We obtained barely an hour north of Edinburgh, and he or she mentioned she might scent diesel. After 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 wish to assist you to keep away from this trauma.
We’ve rounded up the very best deterrents to maintain mice, rats, squirrels, snakes and different rodents out of your motorhome, campervan, caravan or RV, plus some pure or residence treatments which you’ll choose up from wherever.
How do mice and different pests get into your van?
Because the temperatures drop, the animals begin on the lookout for someplace heat to make their nests… and your van is the PERFECT place (particularly if there’s meals saved inside too.)
Mice have two prime skills- they’re small they usually’re nice at climbing. This implies they’ll and can discover entry factors into your camper, even for those who suppose it’s too excessive off the bottom for them.
They will enter by ducts, exterior vents, holes in roofs, flooring or partitions, tubes, aerial holes and the commonest 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 outdoors (resembling the place pipes cross by means of)
- Cracks within the ground or air flow holes
- By doorways, home windows or hatches left ajar
How have you learnt for those who’ve obtained mice or pests in your motorhome?
The Biscuit take a look at!
In the event you’re shutting down your van for the winter, and wish to know if any unwelcome ‘visitors’ have moved in (I don’t imply the in-laws!), then put a bit of biscuit on the ground of your van once you depart it.
If it’s nonetheless there once you come again, you could be moderately positive you’re protected 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 best method to keep away from harm 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
- holding your camper clear inside
- Not storing meals or leaving garbage baggage outdoors your van to take to the bin within the morning!
How do I preserve 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 typically.
It doesn’t all the time 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 method into autos which aren’t getting used so much. To assist cease this, you possibly can match issues like exterior vent covers, seal up filling factors and even placing a canopy in your van may help.
How do you retain mice from climbing into your van?
It all the time surprises me simply how HIGH these critters can leap and climb. Tyres, standing, awnings- you identify it, they’ll climb it.
If you wish to cease mice from climbing up your tyres, you possibly can wrap rings of sheet metallic round your tyres, jack stands or anything you don’t need mice to climb up! Make the rings a couple of foot tall and no mouse will be capable to scale it.
What’s the greatest 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 commonest type of rodent deterrent we’ve heard of, and is the very best pure treatment too.
Mice apparently hate the scent of peppermint, so that they gained’t go close to the van.
Lavender has additionally been recognized to have the same impact, as does eucalyptus, chilli oil and mint.
use Peppermint Oil to repel mice
A very powerful issues is the energy of the mix- the stronger the scent, the extra poor Mr Mouse doesn’t prefer it.
Nonetheless, with important oils, you could contemplate
- Your well being circumstances
- Pets you have got
Some individuals can react badly to important oils, so use a bit to begin with and construct up. Additionally, be sure 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 the event you put them in a jar, make sure that the lid xis off.
In fact, you’ll must replenish and substitute the oil/ cotton wool pretty often.
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 want. You possibly can 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 outdoors. This can create a scent barrier that the mice is not going to wish to cross. Do that as soon as per week or after heavy rain.
However for those who spray round your van beneath, this could assist with not having it dilute/wash away with rain.
Use the Oils and Spray for Inside use
Create a weaker spray (use 3-5 drops of peppermint oil per 400ml). You don’t need it too sturdy, particularly for those who’re travelling with canine.
Spray this onto areas the place there may be an inlet or gap into the van.
CAUTION: Don’t spray onto something the place there may be going to be direct heat- this spray is oil primarily based and flammable!
In case your van goes into storage for winter, you possibly can 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 preserve mice away?
Apparently so! Many individuals have used this spray with success- so it’s value attempting.
Finest mouse deterrent for campers- pre-made sprays
In the event you don’t wish to make your individual, you should purchase pre-made sprays
Ultrasonic 240v pest repellents
These are extensively offered, however have very blended evaluations they usually’re not the very best resolution to maintain mice away from motorhomes or RVs.
For a begin, they require energy, which shall be a continuing drain in your motorhome leisure battery.
Subsequent, they don’t work immediately, however work over time, by emitting totally different frequencies of ultrasonic waves to annoy the nervous system of bugs and rats. This makes the pests really feel uncomfortable so that they transfer away.
Intermittent modifications in ultrasound frequency stop them from creating immunity and adaptableness.
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 outdoors or inside (relying on the mannequin), so could be fitted into engine bays or beneath the van.
12v or Battery operated Rodent Scarers
It’s additionally attainable to purchase 12v or battery-powered variations of those rodent scarers. These could be simpler to suit, however you could keep in mind to alter the batteries or that there’ll nonetheless be a drain in your battery.
Personally, we used these in a storage a couple of years in the past and didn’t have nice success, however be happy to attempt to see in the event that they give you the results you want. That is the very 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 embody; vinegar, clove oil and cayenne pepper.
Do dryer sheets preserve 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 steered them as an important resolution to repel mice in your RV or motorhome. Once more, you’ll want to interchange often to keep up effectiveness.
Humane Traps
When you’ve got an current downside with mice or rodents in your van, you may wish to use a humane lure 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 because of Leah for her photographs and ideas when penning this publish. Observe her on Instagram
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