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Old 10-19-2017, 12:07 PM   #1
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What to do about mice intrusion?

I am currently living in my Hurricane, on a friends property. Property is out of town in the canyons east of Lompoc, CA. I’m experiencing mice getting into RV and could use some suggestions on deterring them from staying in RV from the experienced people here.

I’m using Botanical Rodent Repellent in the lower compartments, closets, drawers, under the sink, under the dash, and in the water pump area. Also have been using standard mouse traps in various places with peanut butter bait. I’ve dispatched 5-6 so far, but am still thinking one or two are in the coach. I’m trying to stay away from poison, due to other animals and possibility of getting one dead in a wall or something.

I found a “chase” between the accelerator area and the doghouse cover that I need to fix, but haven’t come up with anything to do about the slide gaps (top and Bottom). I also figured out that leaving the grey water hose connected thru the bottom of the sewer compartment wasn’t good. Leaves a hole for them to travel thru.
Any other ideas?
Thanx

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Old 10-19-2017, 12:20 PM   #2
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I had a mouse in the garage and set up standard traps with peanut butter bait as well. After I set the last trap I saw the little bugger standing on the first trap's trigger eating the PB looking back at me...sigh (it was a tiny thing; not enough weight to trigger the trap).
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Old 10-19-2017, 12:23 PM   #3
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I agree!
Traps with peanut butter always works!
(Either that: or a big old cat! )
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Old 10-19-2017, 12:43 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wrpt58 View Post
I am currently living in my Hurricane, on a friends property. Property is out of town in the canyons east of Lompoc, CA. I’m experiencing mice getting into RV and could use some suggestions on deterring them from staying in RV from the experienced people here.

I’m using Botanical Rodent Repellent in the lower compartments, closets, drawers, under the sink, under the dash, and in the water pump area. Also have been using standard mouse traps in various places with peanut butter bait. I’ve dispatched 5-6 so far, but am still thinking one or two are in the coach. I’m trying to stay away from poison, due to other animals and possibility of getting one dead in a wall or something.

I found a “chase” between the accelerator area and the doghouse cover that I need to fix, but haven’t come up with anything to do about the slide gaps (top and Bottom). I also figured out that leaving the grey water hose connected thru the bottom of the sewer compartment wasn’t good. Leaves a hole for them to travel thru.
Any other ideas?
Thanx
My brother in law was just telling me about a trick someone showed him in terms of the grey water hole.

He said get an old school rubber toilet plunger. Take the handle out of course, make a slit completely through it on one side, so it can be opened and wrapped around the pipe, and then trim/widen the upper hole where the handle attached until it's wide enough for your hose.

Then, when you have your hose hooked up for grey, you wrap it around your hose and tuck it into your grey hole clogging it up.

Now, I don't know if all compartment holes for the sewer hose are the same size and if the plunger will always be enough, but might be worth a look to solve that one problem.
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Old 10-19-2017, 01:12 PM   #5
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I'll give it a look. Thanx.
Even using a garden hose, the concept is still valid.
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Old 10-19-2017, 01:13 PM   #6
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Had a horrible problem with mice (and Chipmunks) when i lived in Oregon. Used traps, poison, that all helped but never completely eliminated the problem. Then, even though I really do not like cats, got one at the suggestion of a friend. Problem eliminated! No more mice no more chipmunks. I even learned to tolerate the cat. NOTE: Do not feed it. If you have mice in your rig there are plenty more to feed the cat.
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Old 10-19-2017, 01:46 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by Halibut214 View Post
NOTE: Do not feed it. If you have mice in your rig there are plenty more to feed the cat.
I agree. Once they get the taste of fresh meat: "Kibbles & Bits" just won't cut the mustard for them anymore!
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Old 10-19-2017, 02:45 PM   #8
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If you can stand the smell of peppermint oil; I have become a firm believer in peppermint oil. When we are camping I put a dropper of peppermint oil on some cotton pads and drop them around the coach. I mix some peppermint oil with water and spray the wheels. I have watched chipmunks go right up to the coach and then retreat. We don't store ours much, but when we do, it's in our son's pole barn. It's an 60X 35 ft X 16 feet high barn. I put a dropper of peppermint oil on about 8 cotton pads and put a few in the engine compartment and the rest through out the coach. Even in that large barn you can smell the peppermint weeks later. I put out traps with peanut butter, plus poison. with the smell of the peppermint oil, those traps are never touched.
Two years ago; chipmunks got into our engine compartment and chewed up some wires. That was expensive. I started using the peppermint oil. I have trapped 11 chipmunks this fall from behind my pole barn. Can't tell you how many mice I trap a year. They don't go near the MH. Can you tell; I believe in Peppermint oil!!
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Old 10-19-2017, 02:58 PM   #9
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Baits like peanut butter etc will attract mice, try to find all areas where they are getting in such as a sewer hose which is basically bridge into your RV.
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Old 10-19-2017, 03:50 PM   #10
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U tube or Google the bucket mouse trap. You can set it outside before they get inside.
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Old 10-19-2017, 04:03 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wrpt58 View Post
I am currently living in my Hurricane, on a friends property. Property is out of town in the canyons east of Lompoc, CA. I’m experiencing mice getting into RV and could use some suggestions on deterring them from staying in RV from the experienced people here.

I’m using Botanical Rodent Repellent in the lower compartments, closets,
Thanx
hi...A BIT more information...Peppermint oil will deter, not only mice but bugs in general.. Also...STEEL WOOD tucked in any holes (making sure it does not interrupt slide operation, etc) ... works very well ... mice cannot eat it ! This fix was recommended by our State of KS Health Inspector, as neither are poisonous .
Not sure if anyone else recommended this...as a bug and mouse deterrent...Irish Spring Soap and Dryer Sheets !!!

that is all I got !!
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Old 10-19-2017, 04:24 PM   #12
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This is the first that I've heard of the peppermint oil solution; Thanks!
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Old 10-19-2017, 07:25 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
This is the first that I've heard of the peppermint oil solution; Thanks!
I have a spider repellent spray, and peppermint is one of the main ingredients.
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Old 10-19-2017, 07:32 PM   #14
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Spider repellant??
For them: I prefer to use a brick!
Look up "Arachnophobia": you'll see my picture... crying like a little girl!
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Old 10-20-2017, 07:27 AM   #15
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Thanx all for the ideas. I'll give the peppermint oil a try for sure. I also found a site that sold spray foam that contained rodent repellent (Cayenne, spices) that they said coupled with the use of Copper wool would block out the rodents along with unwanted air leakage. it was IPF PUR Foam, i think.

I've been thinking on the use of either steel or copper wool, too. The copper doesn't rust is it's only benefit over the steel. I can also install some sheet metal plates over the holes and foam inside the cavity.

BTW, the Botanical Repellent I've been using is "Fresh Cab Botanical Rodent Repellent", and up to now has been pretty effective.

I'll start working all these things together and see how it goes.

Thanx
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Old 11-02-2017, 12:01 AM   #16
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Smile

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
This is the first that I've heard of the peppermint oil solution; Thanks!
Me too. I thought of renting a few cats for a couple weeks but......
I'm sure I will need to do rat inspection often myself.
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Old 11-02-2017, 12:05 AM   #17
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Talking

Quote:
Originally Posted by JamieGeek View Post
I had a mouse in the garage and set up standard traps with peanut butter bait as well. After I set the last trap I saw the little bugger standing on the first trap's trigger eating the PB looking back at me...sigh (it was a tiny thing; not enough weight to trigger the trap).
Sorry JamieGeek I know it's not a laughing matter but.... I had to laugh at this one.
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Old 11-04-2017, 10:15 PM   #18
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For the Record: We've "mouse-proofed our lawn tractor, storage shed, and the snowthrowers with peppermint oil-laced cotton balls.
We'll let you all know how it works!
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Old 11-04-2017, 11:20 PM   #19
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Definitely agree with the peppermint oil on cotton balls. Had a serious mouse problem in my antique cars stored in a garage. Peppermint kept the mice and other bugs away.
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Old 11-05-2017, 12:40 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tupelo Kid View Post
Sorry JamieGeek I know it's not a laughing matter but.... I had to laugh at this one.
You weren't the only one to laugh.... Just the first to SAY it...
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