Community Forums

kcaravelli · 07-05-2010, 05:12 AM

We just got back from a trip to Ohanapecosh near Mt. Rainier. What a fabulous campground and the rangers there do a great job of keeping the place up.

We are full-timers living near Kirkland, Washington. We have never seen a rat/mice in our MH in the last 1 1/2 years living here although I admit to hearing them on accasion. Have not heard anything lately though.

While we were camping this last week, we had 7, yes count them 7 mice come into our rig. I noticed the first one running across the floor while we were watching TV. I use glue traps so they don't die in the walls from the poison...works great! I learned that from Orkin who used to do pest control on our home. Anyway, I went into town one day and bought 20 or so glue board traps and cleaned the guy out. When I was done setting them the mice did not have a chance. The traps don't kill them, they just get stuck but good in the glue. All you need to do it wack the little mothers over the head a couple times. I really did enjoy killing the little things.

So now I am wondering if there is a realistic way of sealing up my MH. Since we are full-timers this could get to be a bit much if it gets out of hand like the campground. We live in a large private greenbelt where there are lots of trees and so certainly mice.

We have a 2003 Suncruiser. We keep it very clean since we live in it.

Has anyone tried to rat proof one of these things?

Is it realistic?

I went under the coach and found the huge area where the screen is for the heat exchanger intake.....a whole family would get throught there all at once. The way we were parked it was not too high off the ground when we were camping. I covered it over with cardboard and that seemed to stop them for a couple days. They came in from more than one location though and eventually came back.

I am wondering if since I parked under a low hanging maple or something like that if that wasn't the place where they came in...like over the tree and down a vent?

Do people know if it would help to put traps around the tires?
I would not be able to use glue traps because of the rain.
Would you think it should go on the sides of the tires or all the way around?

Can they jump high enough that if I gaurd the tires they would still get in?
We don't have any trees hanging over our coach at home.

Lots of questions, sorry for the long post but 7 mice in one trip was a bit much.

Thanks

GENECOP · 07-05-2010, 05:33 AM

Dont know about mouse proofing your rig, but i would like to recommend a Campground i have stayed at in Alaska, for some real fun they organize small groups for the day and you get to club baby seals. G

TandW · 07-05-2010, 06:56 AM

Be sure to keep the left ears so you can claim the bounty on them!

movin-on · 07-05-2010, 07:01 AM

You could lay in bed with a 12 gauge like Bill Murray in Caddyshack....

TandW · 07-05-2010, 07:16 AM

Now the memories come back. Bro' and I let a pack of Gypsy Moth caterpillars have a taste of some old 30-06 one day. Yeah, I know your supposed to shoot 'em on the wing.

idenphones · 07-05-2010, 07:28 AM

This thread sounds like it would be a good candidate for a poll or vote.

What is the most humane way to execute a mouse?

Firing squad.

Lethal injection.

Drowning

Electrocution.

Just let him stay stuck until he dies.

Or, wack him and try to save the sticky for the next one.

GENECOP · 07-05-2010, 07:55 AM

Dont forget the Havaheart traps, catch them, then release them at your neighbors house, G

wkdwitch · 07-05-2010, 08:33 AM

After spray foam in every crack and crevice under the rig, glue traps for backup 24/7 at every location, and frustration at '6 inch sq holes cut by builder for 4 inch round pipes' - electronic pest plug-in in the basement has been the charm so far. But, we do live in their woods. Our biggest worry now is the outdoor wire chewing pests - has anyone tried the rope lights under the rig for wood rat etc protection?

Frank P. Martin · 07-05-2010, 08:46 AM

Maybe you'd like to borrow our Purrscilla for a while. She's a great mouser and also works on moles, shrews, chipmunks and small snakes & rabbits. In return, she only asks for a cup or so of Meow-Mix a day, some water and a litter box.

Lued · 07-05-2010, 09:04 AM

I prefer wacking then with a shovel, and try and save the sticky,

I have used the spray foam, why they don't do it at the factory.??

BryanL · 07-05-2010, 02:19 PM

Mice can get through about any hole you could stick a pencil through - incredibly small. It is nearly impossible to make an RV without any holes like that. What that means is that you need a multi-layer defense. First is to minimize potential access as best you can. Second is to try repellents like moth balls or dryer sheets. Then make sure that there is nothing to attract them in the RV and that all potential sources for bedding or food are in mouse proof containers.

The only really effective way to deal with a rodent infestation is trapping and disposal. The glue method works - I usually just drown the mice in a bucket after capture. There are also some ingenious traps both commercial and home made

Cats do well if they were trained as mousers and reasonably well fed. Catching and killing mice is something they learn as kittens so if you have a cat not brought up by a mouse catching mother, you'll find they likely only play with the mice.

"007" · 07-05-2010, 02:48 PM

Like the picture of cat sure means business. Best thing I have found to keep under control are the old fashion wire mouse traps with peanut butter gets them every time.
Have caught 12 in one sitting.
You haven't hear anything yet wait until wife & kids are watching a scary movie at night and mouse gets caught in spinning furnace fan.