Sealing holes in cargo area rear bulkhead

[Fostfreez]

I've recently had a problem with mice and other rodents getting into and nesting in my basement cargo area. I'm thinking they get in through the large holes in the rear bulkhead that are for utility lines. Does it make sense to stuff fiber glass insulation in these openings? Could this cause any problems? Has anyone else had a rodent problem in this area and if so how did they solve it?

Thanks,
John Foster
'04 34' FDDS

[Shadowcatche]

We have not had that problem with our trailer but have at our bricks and sticks. Yes insulation MAY help but I have known them to chew through it if they are determined enough, I vote for giving it a try. I made fitted poly (plastic) washers to fit around propane lines that travel under the trailer to seal the openings. Used a hole saw to make the washers and drilled out the center hole to fit.

[Wil Rathke]

I have used camphor balls in such areas to repel them.

[tiredvet]

Peppermint oil sprayed around the under side of your coach will keep any rodent away and it smells good too. Amazon has it for $38.00 16 oz. Put it in a plastic spray bottle, a little goes a long way. Been using it in my shop for years and hadn't seen hide nor hair of the little devils since.

[jetar]

For winter storage when critters look for warmer places I plug the subject holes with steel wool which was recommended to me many years ago. Also put rodent bait that is in block form and causes the creatures to go away to get water and die! on top of the tires. Don't have the name of this product with me now, but if you want it post a message and I will get it.

[Old Scout]

What holes? Think the holes at the very rear bulkhead [between basement and engine compartment] are sealed with heavy duty foam. I did notice once that the openning where the heat duct to the bedroom had pulled away from the bulkhead and left a space where critters might enter.....

[Fostfreez]

The holes in my coach are too large for steel wool thus the suggestion of fiberglass insulation. They don't appear to ever had any kind of foam in them. Sealing the basement from the engine compartment would be ok I assume? Or does heat flow through the ones closest to the water connections actually help keep the pipes from freezing?

[Old Scout]

Are you sure you are looking at the rearward most bulkhead [ie, between the basement and the engine compartment?] or the intermediate one between the basement and the sewer tank compartment?

[EngineerMike]

The bulkhead between basement & engine/rear-end is at the seam just ahead of the rear wheels. On the 34 & 36 coaches that rear most basement compartment is the waste tank bay; on longer rigs there is a narrow-ish storage bay, then the waste tanks ahead of that.

If you seal the holes at the engine/rear-end entry into the basement with hardening spray foam, that should keep rodents reliably out at that point. You'll want to seal the cord/hose entries if you are hooked up. And there are some smaller entries near the propane tank and behind the fuel tank where wire looms & brake lines run fore-aft. Again for that, I'd recommend the hardening spray foam like The Good Stuff (home depot) or Hilti foam.

[Fostfreez]

Thanks for the responses guys. I now have a clearer picture of what I need to do. Thanks for all of the advice.

John Foster

[tjshively]

Try www.rataway.com - Protects engines from rats
I use it on all my stuff. No more problems.

[alpinedrvr]

Hi Jim

Do you spray the peppermint oil undiluted or do you add some water? If you add water what ratio do you use?

Thanks

Geoff

[tiredvet]

I use it undiluted.

[alpinedrvr]

OK JIm

Thanks. I just ordered some. I noticed that there are 2 types of Peppermint oil. 1 Mentha piperita that is supposed to smell like peppermint and 2 Mentha arvensis that apparently smells more like turpentine! I've ordered the piperita!

Geoff