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 > How do you keep mice out of an RV?

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zipp

Centerville,Ohio 45459

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Posted: 06/02/08 10:42am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

We had the same problem a few years ago. My wife was so upset about it, she was ready to sell. After reading all of the post here and trying all of the above mentioned, plus some, the only thing that worked was finding where they were getting in and filling it with STEEL WOOL. It takes time to find were they are getting in, but if you stick with it you will finally succed. Try this, have someone get in the comparment during the day, close the compartment door, have them move around as much as they can, to look for any light coming through. If that doesn't work, turn your compartment lights on at night. Get under the coach and look for any light leaking through. If that don't work, which this it didn't for me, just get under the thing and start looking. Maybe do a third of the underside a day. Here is where mine was, the compartment where the water line and dump valves were located. There was a broken weld, that left a small hole. I put steel wool in there and haven't had a problem since. Good luck. PS. I was thinking, if someone had the right marketing knowledge they could sell that powder that glows in the dark. When you put a black light on it after spreading it around the coach, the little creatures walk in it and there you go. This would maybe give you a clue where they are getting in.


Denny & Mighty Wife
2002 Dolphin 5356
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bingoldsby

Oregon State Parks - somewhere

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Posted: 06/03/08 02:53pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I truely don't believe any have ever gotten on the inside of my coach, but recently while parked for the month at Humbug Mountain State Park on the south coast of Oregon, I have heard some scratchings at the rear end during the night while I was in bed. (I banged on the wall)

AND JUST NOW... !!! (DRAT!!!) I got into one of my outside compartments to remove some leveling blocks and I found a nest with little micelets in it. (double drat) The nester had dug out quite a bit of pink insulating material from somewhere. I couldn't find any accesses in that compartment to places where that insulating material might be, but I suspect it came from the area of the flooring somewhere. I can see the pink stuff around the drain for the shower when I get under there. So I know there is that stuff in the floor.

I've looked very carefully inside for indications they have been inside, but can't find any - fortunately.

I'm going right away and get some traps, bait, steel wool, bay leaves, cotton balls, camphophenique (sp?), mint, and anything else of discouragement that I can think of or find. I know I will not be able to keep them out of the exterior spaces, but I surely will try to keep them from trying to make nests and homes anywhere in or on my rig.

Fooey!


Brian K7ZRZ
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Admiral

Lodi, Ohio

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Posted: 06/03/08 03:31pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

zipp wrote:

We had the same problem a few years ago. My wife was so upset about it, she was ready to sell. After reading all of the post here and trying all of the above mentioned, plus some, the only thing that worked was finding where they were getting in and filling it with STEEL WOOL. It takes time to find were they are getting in, but if you stick with it you will finally succed. Try this, have someone get in the comparment during the day, close the compartment door, have them move around as much as they can, to look for any light coming through. If that doesn't work, turn your compartment lights on at night. Get under the coach and look for any light leaking through. If that don't work, which this it didn't for me, just get under the thing and start looking. Maybe do a third of the underside a day. Here is where mine was, the compartment where the water line and dump valves were located. There was a broken weld, that left a small hole. I put steel wool in there and haven't had a problem since. Good luck. PS. I was thinking, if someone had the right marketing knowledge they could sell that powder that glows in the dark. When you put a black light on it after spreading it around the coach, the little creatures walk in it and there you go. This would maybe give you a clue where they are getting in.


Yep, I agree, YOU MISSED A HOLE SOMEWHERE. Back on your back under the rv. Check the wheel wells...that's an area that you can overlook easily. Otherwise follow every pipe, wire and tube where they enter the coach and reseal each one. Check inside under the cabinets and shower pan where the pipes and wires go through the floor and seal them up too.


2004 Damon Daybreak 2960F
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OleRVer

Orlando,Fl.

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Posted: 06/03/08 03:35pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I tried my 12 gauge, but now I have to replace the floor, wall and my girlfriend's calico cat.........

zipp

Centerville,Ohio 45459

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Posted: 06/03/08 04:14pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Hey fooey' I don't want to freak you out, but it is only a matter of time before Ben is sharing your bed. Or probably coming up through the kitchen plumbing or the bathroom plumbing.

Ozarkwoods

Bolivar, MO

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Posted: 06/03/08 05:31pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I have let loose sevaral black snakes in the coach....



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helperzack

Port St. Lucie, FL

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Posted: 06/03/08 07:23pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Pure essential peppermint and spearmint oils and mix them together. Put this on cotton balls and place them wherever the mice usually frequent. They'll leave in a hurry. They absolutely hate the smell, and no one gets hurt, including pets.

Credit to Domino T. of the Dollar Stretcher Tips


’07 Coachmen Mirada 310DS
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Don Don

Pleasant Grove, AL {Suburb of Birmingham}

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Posted: 06/03/08 07:27pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Don't know, never had any. Best to start with take all food out.





shippy

ONTARIO ( on the HIGHWAY OF HEROES)

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Posted: 06/03/08 07:59pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Never had rodents. We use camphor cubes. Get them at the local drug store. $.50 each 4 cubes does a 42 ft motorhome and lasts up to 6 months.

todder

WI

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Posted: 06/03/08 08:25pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Peppermint oil works good. We had intruders I put mint oil on cotton balls in every small area and no signs all winter after that and it was stored in our barn where there are no shortage of mice.

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