The very idea of having mice or other rodents taking up residence in your RV is unpleasant, to say the least. Trust me, I had mice in my RV, so I know the feeling. Depending on how you personally feel about these creatures, it can be anything from a nuisance to a reason to prevent you from even setting foot inside an RV.
RVs are notorious for being short on space. They also have poor ventilation which means that you’re probably breathing the spores created by rodent feces, something that can produce extremely serious health problems.
In short, you want to get rid of any rodents that are inside your RV and do everything you can to make sure that they never come back. Personally, I recommend the Tomcat Mouse Bait. Ever since I started using it 3 months ago, I haven’t seen a live mouse since.
As is the case with most things, a little bit of effort in preventing the problem can go a long way. It’s also much better than being forced to combat a problem that’s capable of quickly getting out of hand – mice are notorious for reproducing at shockingly fast rates.
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What Causes Mice in an RV?
There are a number of different issues that can cause mice to get inside your RV. It’s important to address each and every one of them individually to ensure that you don’t end up dealing with this problem repeatedly. The truth of the matter is that you don’t want to deal with a single rodent that gets into your RV. You certainly don’t want to be stuck dealing with an entire family of them, nor do you want a situation where you no sooner get rid of them than more move in.
There are a few key points that can be causing them to get inside, and those are the areas that you need to focus on. Check out the list below.
1. You leave food items easily accessible to them
This is one of the biggest issues when it comes to rodents getting inside your RV. If you leave food items inside the RV while you’re not actually staying in it, you’re far more likely to have a problem with rodents because they can smell the presence of food, even from outside. It basically serves as a giant beacon that calls them to the RV and they’ll likely keep trying to find a way in until they succeed.
When you’re not in the RV, take all food items out of it. It’s best to give it a thorough cleaning afterward as well. At the very least, store your food items in an airtight container with a lid that snaps shut.
2. You fail to thoroughly clean the RV after each use
This was briefly touched on in the above paragraph, but it’s worth going over it again. The importance of thoroughly cleaning your RV after each use cannot be stressed enough. This is especially true if you spend a lot of time in the RV and you tend to keep snacks inside or you cook a lot. It’s also true if you have kids or pets. The presence of food that has found its way underneath couch cushions or onto the floor is notorious for calling mice. While you’re making sure to clean up, don’t forget about the pet food because it will call them just as quickly as anything else.
3. The RV is parked in an area where the grass is high and rodents are likely to dwell
Mice have a tendency to spend time in areas where they can be concealed. If you are parking your RV at the very back of your property where the grass tends to get higher or there is a lot of shrubbery, you’re probably going to have a harder time keeping mice out of it. Consider parking it in an area where there’s more foot traffic.
It can also help if you have a driveway that’s been paved and is durable enough to handle an RV. Mice aren’t quite as likely to frequent these areas, as they prefer to be where they can come and go undisturbed.
4. The RV has been left unattended for some time
If you leave your RV sitting unattended for a long period of time, you can almost bet you’re going to be combatting a rodent problem. This is one of the worst things you can do. Even if you only use the RV once or twice a year, go out and walk through it every couple of days. Spend some time dusting or vacuuming.
Open the windows to ventilate the RV, but be sure that you’re not creating access points for rodents when you do.
5. Your RV hasn’t been properly secured against rodents
Make sure that you pay special attention to access points. Specifically, pay attention to the areas where pipes come into the RV, such as under the sink or in the bathroom. Do the same for the ventilation system and if your RV has slide-outs, make sure that there are no access points where rodents can get in.
If the seals aren’t airtight, they will find a way inside. Obviously, you’ll want to do the same for doors and windows.
Why Is It Bad to Have Mice in Your RV?
There are countless numbers of reasons why it’s bad to have mice in your RV. For starters, it’s disgusting. There is also the larger concern associated with potential health problems caused by their presence. Below is a list of reasons why you definitely don’t want to have a rodent problem inside your RV.
- They urinate and defecate on everything they touch
- They carry numerous diseases which can be passed to humans
- They breed with remarkable speed
- They also carry fleas which can cause disease
How to Get Rid of Mice in an RV
Getting rid of mice in an RV isn’t really much different than getting rid of them in your home. There are a few things that you can do if you already have rodents occupying your RV, but the biggest part of getting rid of mice actually involves preventing them from getting inside in the first place.
Here are a few things you can do if you notice a problem. By the same token, there are some pointers on preventing them from getting inside so you won’t have to deal with a rodent problem.
- Set traps under sinks and along baseboards to catch mice
- Use caution if you use poison- it can easily kill a pet or child
- Use steel wool to plug up even the smallest holes where pipes
- Make sure all seals, windows, and doors are airtight
- Examine the underside of the RV and plug any holes as necessary
- Check your RV on a regular basis for the presence of mice
- Do not leave your RV sitting unattended for any length of time
- Clean thoroughly and often
Helpful Products for Getting Rid of Mice in an RV
Fortunately, there are several different types of products that might help keep mice away from your RV in the first place. Some of them are designed specifically for such purposes and others involve things that many experienced travelers practically swear by. Even if some of these solutions sound a bit odd to you, there certainly isn’t any harm in trying, especially if the solution is something that isn’t potentially harmful to anyone else.
Some of the more interesting things that people claim will work include the use of rope lights and even placing cotton balls doused in peppermint oil or shards of Irish Spring soap underneath cabinets, in bathrooms, and in areas where mice would tend to nest, such as the hot water heater.
It may or may not work for you, but anyone that’s ever experienced a rodent problem in an RV (or otherwise) will probably tell you that it’s worth trying. In case you’re interested in products that are designed specifically to deal with the problem, here are a few of the best:
1. Tomcat Mouse Bait
What It Does:
This is a bait that is great to use when your RV is parked. There is also a spray version of this product, which can be sprayed inside the RV as well as around seals, doors, windows, and even underneath. It’s meant to deter mice from getting inside.
Pros:
- easy to set up quickly and easily
Cons:
- not safe for use around children or pets
- it has a strong odor
Click here to get it on Amazon.
2. Stay Away Rodent Repellent
What It Does:
The product repels rodents when the granules are placed around the area where the RV is parked. Some people even place them underneath cabinets.
Pros:
- easy to find
- affordable
Cons:
- not safe to use around other animals
Click here to check out how much it costs on Amazon.
3. Ultrasonic Mice Repellent
What It Does:
This system doesn’t repel mice with the use of chemicals, but with sound. You simply plug the units into your electrical outlets and they are supposed to produce an ultrasonic sound that cannot be heard by people or pets, but that mice hate. The idea is to drive any existing mice out of the RV while simultaneously preventing new ones from getting inside.
Pros:
- no chemicals involved
- no repeated treatments required
- easy to set up, plug in and go
Cons:
- needs to be plugged in, only works when electrical power is hooked up to the RV
