It is that time of year again (at least for a good portion of the country). Time to start thinking about storing your RVs, campers and trailers. It is also the time of year when the mice are trying to find their way in. Anywhere and everywhere possible they are seeking shelter as the weather changes.
Traps
Placing traps inside your RVs, campers and trailers can help to catch mice that make their way all the way in. You can choose between traps that contain poison and non-poisonous traps. Snap traps seem to work the best in my experience but, any sort of trap is better than none.
Eliminate Access
If you have an holes that could allow a mouse to possibly gain access to your RV, camper or trailer now is the time to plug the holes. A mouse can easily fit through a dime sized hole so it is important that you look very carefully. Be sure to check all around the exterior of your camper, trailer or RV. Don’t forget to check the underside as well.
Make it Unappealing
Remove any clothing, towels, and paper products. These items can be used by the mice to build nests. It is also very important to remove any and all food from your trailer, RV or camper. Sealed plastic containers can be helpful for storage but, they will only truly slow them down a little bit. Mice can chew through the plastic containers and get to the food. Don’t forget to seal up the firewall if applicable.
Lighting
Mice prefer to move around in the dark. If you add lights to the outside it will help keep them away. This can be something as simple as outdoor rope light under your RV, camper or trailer.
Storage
Where you store your camper, RV or trailer is just as important as everything else you do to keep them out. Storing your RV, camper or trailer near grassy fields or wooded areas encourages mice to use it as a shelter. Parking your camper, RV or trailer on a gravel or cement parking spot will minimize the chance of mice trying to inhabit your RV, trailer or camper.
Scent
Mice hate strong scents. You can use the following as preventatives.
Mothballs
Line the outer perimeter of your trailer, RV or camper with moth balls. Don't put them inside as the smell is hard to get out but leaving them outside is still effective.
Dryer Sheets
Inside, lay out a bunch of dryer sheets. Be sure to change the dryer sheets every couple weeks to keep the scent strong enough.
Peppermint
Another great way to keep mice out is Peppermint Essential Oil. A few drops on a cotton ball and leave them around the inside of the trailer, camper or RV.
Irish Spring Soap
Irish Spring Soap has a strong scent that deters mice as well. Just put a few wrapped bars inside the RV, trailer or camper.
Doubling or even tripling up on these scents will help make sure that mice find your RV, trailer or camper unattractive.
Keeping mice out of your RV, camper or trailer is important whether you are using it or storing it. Once they have invaded it will be extremely hard to get them all out due to their rate of reproduction. Using as many of these tips as you can to help keep your trailer, camper or RV free of mice gives you the best chance possible at remaining rodent free.