Suggestions on material to use in blocking possible entry holes?
Anyone tried spray repellent that is a mixture of pepper oils?
Reviews of various sonic-wave electronic devices so far aren't very encouraging and I don't know what kind of effect that would have Maggie.
Had sprayed the perimeter of the rig with the bug spray and the next morning found a dead mouse under the 5er near the perimeter. Maybe that had an effect? That's the only one I've seen so far.
Any suggestions?
Terry and Jo said
08:18 PM Mar 2, 2011
Betty,
Just a couple of things for you. If you want to completely block off the access points, steel wool is good. Hopefully, they won't try to chew through the wood next to the steel wool. Also, I've heard, but never tried, putting out dryer anti-static sheets (Bounce, perhaps) to help keep the little critters at bay. Those might need occasional replacement though.
Last option would be a cat, but with some of the ones we had, that ain't guaranteed. We had one that just wanted to play with them. Maybe that's why we now have dogs.?
Terry
Roz said
06:49 AM Mar 3, 2011
While camphosting in Maine, those around us voiced some problems, but we had none. I credit that to some paradichlorabenze (mothballs) we placed around each tire, landing gear jack and where our connectionhoses and cables entered the coach. They need replacing every few weeks, but what a small chore and expense!
Were I a mouse, I would seek another RV to attack for that reason alone!
53 Merc said
09:14 AM Mar 3, 2011
If possible block all access using copper wool or chore girl scrubbers. Steel wool will rust and is not really as effective as the coarser copper. Finding all access is going to be a hard and time consuming job. I have heard of using bounce dryer sheets, Irish Spring Soap bars, mothballs and other things as a deterrent. Can't swear to those item's effectiveness. I have had better luck with keeping a few mousetraps armed and ready in out of the way places, like under cabinet drawers, in the underbelly storage, etc. Hopefully Maggie will turn into a ratter.
adeline and ed said
09:51 AM Mar 3, 2011
We to keep a few traps armed with peanut butter in the under belly etc. We also try to keep anything like bird seed or dog food in sealed containers.
I tried the sonic thing when we had a house. I think it attracted them for a 10 mile radius judging by the number that i trapped. If i'm gone for a period i will set some traps on vinyl areas like the bath room floor
Luvglass said
10:27 AM Mar 3, 2011
Maybe we've just been lucky, but we have never had a mouse or bug problem in the 5 years we've been out. We regularly keep bird and animal food in the basement compartments, some in sealed containers, but not all.
The Bear II said
12:39 PM Mar 3, 2011
Peanut butter and traps to get rid of them once they have gotten inside.
Peppermint Oil or Mothballs to prevent them from entering.
Or get a big old nasty tom cat.
I went over every inch of the bottom of our 5th wheel and filled in any gaps with copper scrubbers. We still had one more mouse come in and the trap got it. None since so it's possible the mouse was still in the 5th wheel and just wasn't hungry enough to try a trap before.
"Hmmm, I'm so hungry...hey that smells good... I'm going to try some of that brown stuff" "What's was that click ?" BANG....lights out.
maintguy62 said
07:12 AM Mar 5, 2011
I have found from my customers, most things sugested here are not fool proof. I have found from one customer that a little device you plug in gives off a noise only mice can hear works wonders. So if you have elec. available try it.
TDCDintheRV said
09:07 PM Mar 5, 2011
Last summer we had a mouse problem in the 5th wheel, DW hates mice (they come she leaves). My brother sugested a product called "Mouse Magic" he has some collecter cars that he stores in a pole barn that is not mouse proof. This product has worked for him in his cars. We set traps and caught 4 mice, then sealed up the bottom as best we could and put mouse magic in the basement area and under kitchen sink cabinets. We have not had a mouse problem since, the active ingredients in this product are peppermint oil and spearmint oil. We bought this product at ace hardware.
-- Edited by TDCDintheRV on Sunday 6th of March 2011 12:30:29 AM
BruceandTrisha said
06:39 PM Mar 8, 2011
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups worked great for catching our pesky mouse - he must have had a chocolate addiction like me!
TXRVr said
05:07 PM Mar 15, 2011
I will second the suggestion for using Peppermint Oil. Buy some cotton balls and put a drop or two on as many of them that you wish to use. Place them in the back of cabinets, drawers, and anywhere else you think mice may scurry around. Replace with a new cottom ball when the scent disipates. Peppermint oil isn't cheap, but it works.
It is not recommended to use moth balls inside living space. The active ingrediant naphthalene, is a registered carcinogen. Putting them in outside storage areas instead of the expensive peppermint treatment may be ok.
And if for no other reason, peppermint smells better than moth balls.
Froggi said
03:42 PM Mar 16, 2011
Put me into the peppermint oil group...I had heard it and suggested it to an RVer in another forum who was storing her rig. Not a problem.
Then I used it in mine while in storage for almost a year in Colorado Springs. Again, not a problem.
May have just been lucky but I'll take my luck with a peppermint smell anytime!
CaptainRandy said
11:42 AM Apr 3, 2011
Howdy
Jackie and I will be receiving a new Montana FL Fifthwheel May 1st and locating it in Pinedale, WY - with Jackie and I will be 3 miniture dachshunds and 1 katt. With winter temps getting down to a -30F in this part of the world next winter will be interesting. At least we will have the summer to gear up for it.
We have not picked out a tow vehicle yet - still plowing thru all the specs/opinions/ prices etc, all suggestions along this line are appreciated.
We are not new to RVing having a 23' Winnabago for 5 years - it was our hurricane plan while we lived on our 35ft sailboat in St Petersburg, FL for 11 years - I was a sailboat charter captain and sailing instructor down there for 7 years & sailed Central America for 2.
While crusing on the sailboat in Central America we found it almost impossible to keep roaches and mice from sneaking aboard, they would either climb across the dock lines or simply jump from the dock to the boat. Since we had our 3 miniture dachshunds with us we did not want to use any form of poison or traps - we had very good sucess using the fly trap type sticky square type material - just place them in any compartments the pest may hide or eat and at entry points. They get stuck and are not able to crawl to a space that not accessable & die stinking up the vessel as is the case with poison.
BTW -sailboats are horrible for getting mold & mildew & sweating during the colder months as they have little or no insulation in the hulls or ceiling - good ventlation is a must & we used an ozone generator ( available thru the harbormasters office) every two months or so that removed what mold/mildew we had and made the boat smell so much better - these units (about the size of a shoebox) should be available through apartment cleaning businesses/carpet cleaners - I used one on a townhome I moved into that had a smoker living in it - unit was set in place, plugged in overnight and cigarette smell was gone!!
Captain Randy
__________________
Randy & Jackie
Penny and Paul said
12:22 PM Apr 4, 2011
Aye Cap'n,
Don' ye be fergettin' that ozone be bad fer rubber. Thar be lots o rubber in are laand boats!
Arg!
Sorry, I couldn't stop meself!
_Chris_ said
12:55 PM Feb 7, 2012
Hi all, I heard about something called Mouse Free from a friend and decided to try it out on my RV last summer. Have not seen a mouse since! Plus it’s easy to apply, you just spray the product under the RV. It doesn’t even smell bad it smells like peppermint! So far so good! Here’s the website if any one wants to have a look, http://www.mouse-free.com
EDIT by Moderator: Activated link Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Tuesday 7th of February 2012 01:09:39 PM
Delaine and Lindy said
06:13 PM Feb 8, 2012
The only place we have ever had a Mouse issues is at home base. We live far, far into the woods. We use wooden Mouse traps with cheese.. And it keep them out, we also use the dryer sheets in the basement area. Can't use them inside, Delaine has a issue, she is very sensitive to and Chemicals. I also each year spray around the stick house and the RV for bugs... I really don't believe its possible to keep a mouse out of a 5th wheel or RV if they want in other that trapping them. Good Luck.. Happy Trails....
capndan77 said
02:14 AM Feb 10, 2012
We have used a combination of products with nary a mouse to be seen for two years. One is an environmentally friendly product called "Fresh Cab" that we bought at Tractor Supply for $12.95 per 4 pack and placed in the basement and engine compartment. The other was Bounce fabric sheets in all the cupboards, drawers, etc which added a nice fragrance to the motor home. We live in rural northern Michigan, notorious for winter rodent invasions but have not had any in the coach. One or combination must be doing the job.
Any tips on mouse-proofing one's fifth wheel?
Suggestions on material to use in blocking possible entry holes?
Anyone tried spray repellent that is a mixture of pepper oils?
Reviews of various sonic-wave electronic devices so far aren't very encouraging and I don't know what kind of effect that would have Maggie.
Had sprayed the perimeter of the rig with the bug spray and the next morning found a dead mouse under the 5er near the perimeter. Maybe that had an effect? That's the only one I've seen so far.
Any suggestions?
Just a couple of things for you. If you want to completely block off the access points, steel wool is good. Hopefully, they won't try to chew through the wood next to the steel wool. Also, I've heard, but never tried, putting out dryer anti-static sheets (Bounce, perhaps) to help keep the little critters at bay. Those might need occasional replacement though.
Last option would be a cat, but with some of the ones we had, that ain't guaranteed. We had one that just wanted to play with them. Maybe that's why we now have dogs.?
Terry
Were I a mouse, I would seek another RV to attack for that reason alone!
-- Edited by TDCDintheRV on Sunday 6th of March 2011 12:30:29 AM
It is not recommended to use moth balls inside living space. The active ingrediant naphthalene, is a registered carcinogen. Putting them in outside storage areas instead of the expensive peppermint treatment may be ok.
And if for no other reason, peppermint smells better than moth balls.
Then I used it in mine while in storage for almost a year in Colorado Springs. Again, not a problem.
May have just been lucky but I'll take my luck with a peppermint smell anytime!
Howdy
Jackie and I will be receiving a new Montana FL Fifthwheel May 1st and locating it in Pinedale, WY - with Jackie and I will be 3 miniture dachshunds and 1 katt. With winter temps getting down to a -30F in this part of the world next winter will be interesting. At least we will have the summer to gear up for it.
We have not picked out a tow vehicle yet - still plowing thru all the specs/opinions/ prices etc, all suggestions along this line are appreciated.
We are not new to RVing having a 23' Winnabago for 5 years - it was our hurricane plan while we lived on our 35ft sailboat in St Petersburg, FL for 11 years - I was a sailboat charter captain and sailing instructor down there for 7 years & sailed Central America for 2.
While crusing on the sailboat in Central America we found it almost impossible to keep roaches and mice from sneaking aboard, they would either climb across the dock lines or simply jump from the dock to the boat. Since we had our 3 miniture dachshunds with us we did not want to use any form of poison or traps - we had very good sucess using the fly trap type sticky square type material - just place them in any compartments the pest may hide or eat and at entry points. They get stuck and are not able to crawl to a space that not accessable & die stinking up the vessel as is the case with poison.
BTW -sailboats are horrible for getting mold & mildew & sweating during the colder months as they have little or no insulation in the hulls or ceiling - good ventlation is a must & we used an ozone generator ( available thru the harbormasters office) every two months or so that removed what mold/mildew we had and made the boat smell so much better - these units (about the size of a shoebox) should be available through apartment cleaning businesses/carpet cleaners - I used one on a townhome I moved into that had a smoker living in it - unit was set in place, plugged in overnight and cigarette smell was gone!!
Captain Randy
__________________
Randy & Jackie
Aye Cap'n,
Don' ye be fergettin' that ozone be bad fer rubber. Thar be lots o rubber in are laand boats!
Arg!
Sorry, I couldn't stop meself!
Hi all, I heard about something called Mouse Free from a friend and decided to try it out on my RV last summer. Have not seen a mouse since! Plus it’s easy to apply, you just spray the product under the RV. It doesn’t even smell bad it smells like peppermint! So far so good! Here’s the website if any one wants to have a look, http://www.mouse-free.com
EDIT by Moderator: Activated link Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Tuesday 7th of February 2012 01:09:39 PM