We are curious. Do mice find there way into motor homes? If so, are there any proven methods to keep them out? A cat is not in our future. Thanks as always for your answers.

In the last 7 years we have never (to our knowledge) gotten a mouse in our RV. We have not seen a mouse or signs of a mouse. Biggest danger is an rv that sits idle for periods of time and gives them time to investigate the available condo with free rent. If you are going to let it sit then I would think putting moth balls around anything that touches the ground would be a good place to start. The problem with putting poison in the rv is where they will die.

We had three get in this August, it was a big surprise since we have a cat.  The cat killed one and we killed two more with traps armed with peanut butter.  We still do not know where they got in.

I have heard that if you put cayenne pepper around openings, that will keep them out. That is if the opening that they are getting is amoung the ones you coat with pepper.

We have not had this problem with mice and we are now full timing it.

southwestjudy & Bob & 2blackdogs

Mice and Ants, given enough time you will deal with both.  We full-timed for three years before either got in and we have now dealt with both.  Ants can come through the smallest holes, a tiny gap in a slide gasket can let them in.  Mice can squeeze through a hole smaller than an dime.

You are right Bill, eventually one or all of the pests will get in. Ants can be worse than mice cause it is almost impossible to get them to move out. Maybe we will get an ant eater as our next pet

I'm knocking on wood but in 3 plus years of fulltiming we've not had mice. BUT we've had ants! ...looking for water they say. Best way to get rid of them we've found is to sprinkle ant killer powder around any thing touching the ground--wheels, sewer hose, electric cord etc. Then we put those little black ant houses inside in strategic spots. No ants for a year. BUT we have been carrying around ladybugs for a couple of years. I think they hibernate then pop up for a little life then sleep...or are they reproducing somewhere inside. In Iowa two years ago we were caught in a swarm of the critters and they've never completely left. They are the new kind that like to bite to let you know they're around. We  just consider that we're giving them a ride now...no problem!

Lady bugs are terrible, not as bad a 3 years ago but the other day I was outside and turned over a board and it was completely covered with them. They were herding or something.

To get rid of the ants - sprinkle a little cornmeal where you see the ants - they will eat it and blow up - no more ants....hard to believe this really works -- its kinda like the soap in the bed trick to prevent leg cramps. 

Afraid I will need to do some tests on that one I think I would rather put something down that repels them rather than feed them.So what keeps the remainder of the ants after the corn meal has been consumed from coming on in?

-- Edited by Tmcblane at 10:10, 2006-11-24

We put moth balls (two or three) on the top of each tire, when we are parked for extended periods of time, and have not had a mouse at all !  I was told by a vet friend that mice have sensitive noses and the smell from the moth balls should discourage their climb up the tires, which is the most common way they enter the rigs.

Moth balls also repel "snakes"...YIKES...I'd rather have 10 mice in my unit than to even see a snake within 10 miles of where I am!!! I did see, at the Tampa Bay RV Super Show, that a couple has developed a product called "critter covers"...or something like that. Anyhow, they are flexible things to put around any place where wires or pipes come into the unit. When we get a MH, my first purchase will be these things. ALSO...I read on another forum that if you put black walnuts, with the green peeling taken off but don't crack the walnut open, in the backs of cupboards and drawers, it is a natural repellent for ants. Never tried it...just read about it.