Community Forums

Willie B · 09-17-2019, 05:38 AM

Hopefully I have this in the correct forum.

We're in NJ and plan to winterize our 1999 National RV Tradewinds DP in October. We have an open air pad in our driveway, so we'll get a cover and keep the MH w/ us. As we consider the potential for mice and other assorted outdoor critters to take residence in the MH during the winter months, we've recently read that placing peppermint oil on cotton balls throughout the MH instead of using moth balls is a better option for keeping the outdoor life, well outdoors. All the accessible holes where mice could enter the rig have previously been closed up.

Any opinions, other options and/or guidance is appreciated.

Thanks,
Willie

winniman · 09-17-2019, 08:16 AM

I bought several of those mouse screamers that you plug into the 120 volt plug in. Im assuming that if it is parked at your home, you could keep a cord ran to it. I have tried everything from Irish Spring, to moth balls. The only real success I have had, is with these plug in sonic mouse repellant things. They seem to help. I have not seen any sign of mice in my rv, or my garage since I put them in both of them. They are silent to humans, and don't seem to bother cats or dogs. Apparently, mice can hear them.

Mark_K5LXP · 09-17-2019, 12:45 PM

Pick a smell that you like better, because whatever it is you'll be smelling it. I've had my RV for over a year now and it still smells like the packets of stuff the PO had in the basement storage. Not really offensive but not april fresh by a long shot. No evidence of critters found inside the coach but a bungalow sized nest inside the genset.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

wintersoul · 09-17-2019, 11:00 PM

From my experience, it works. We stay near a field and field mice just used to run in...which freaked out some of the family members (self, included). That is when we discovered peppermint oil. We just put some on cotton balls and place them in corners, have not seen a single mouse in ages. Don't forget to refresh the smell from time to time.

And - as a bonus! - it seems to me that ants and bugs are not fans of the aroma either.

Dark Sky · 09-20-2019, 07:39 AM

Peppermint oil, that's a good tip. We tried mothballs in our last unit with only partial success. Dryer sheets did well and we now use them on our present rig. We've also bought some scented garbage bags and when parking in storage we lay a few out and keep some in the storage bay.
I've actually bought a pair of the 'mouse screamers' but have just started using them, one for inside and one for storage. We'll probably go 'suspenders and belts' and do the peppermint oil thing as added insurance. It really sucks when you open your cutlery drawer and see their droppings over everything.

450Donn · 09-20-2019, 07:51 AM

Most home remidies are snake oil. Spend a few hours searching out every opening and seal them up. SS screen or SS wool will do the trick. Follow that up with rodent proof spray foam. Inside place several traps. I really prefer the sticky traps with a dab of peanut butter. Check them weekly and replace when you trap a critter. Move them around once in a while to cover everyplace.

RKins · 09-20-2019, 12:57 PM

Peppermint oil seems to help but if you have a way in, they'll get in.
I use snack bags and put like 6 cotton balls in each and then squeeze a bunch of drops on the cotton balls. I use a knife and puncture one side of the baggy and leave that side up.
I put a baggy in each bay - smells nice in the coach.
I pulled my washer out of the closet and found that the plumbing was coming through a 4 inch hole from the toilet next to the closet. I figure that was wide open under the toilet so I bought and filled the hole with mouse proof foam. Haven't seen one inside since. The foam does take a long time to expand. Not like cheap less dense foam.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkmndGevtPQ

bevo7 · 09-27-2019, 06:39 PM

I’ve used Dryer sheets and Irish Spring have worked for us from the inception of owning our coach. We store it inside a machine shed. All holes are sealed up and we have never had a mouse. We place many many sheets

grindstone01 · 09-27-2019, 06:58 PM

Try a mouse pail trap set in the RV. Just put 3-4" of used antifreeze or oil in the pail with peanut butter on the rotating can and it will catch mice all winter. Google mouse pail trap for instructions. Scents won't keep a mouse away if they are really hungry.

Willie B · 09-28-2019, 06:11 AM

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Since we're a "no-kill" household, (except wasps....really, really hate the wasps), we're going to try the peppermint oil solution this winter after a thorough review/fill of all MH holes. We're off to our last camping adventure for the year this weekend, so next up is our first winterizing adventure. Did I say I hate the wasps, man I hate them.

Kjinkat · 09-28-2019, 06:21 AM

Peppermint oil on cotton balls. We use this each spring on both holes in a groundhog den at edge of woods. When we used the peppermint oil from the health food store, they would come back in a couple of weeks. When we started using Young Living, it kept the groundhogs away the entire season. It also works great at repelling ants and spiders.

grindstone01 · 09-28-2019, 07:35 AM

I tried 2 "Cab Fresh" packets in my truck engine compartment this last summer and also placed a mouse trap next to the "Cab Fresh" packet. Attached is a picture of the mouse I caught. A hungry mouse don't care about bad scent any more than a very hungry person would (most people have never been in a really hungry situation).