Mice can find their way into your RV through the smallest of openings. Once inside, they can cause a lot of damage. You will want to learn how to keep mice out of your RV and RVing is a great place to start, especially once you find out how easy it is to do!
Mice are more active at night and are excellent climbers, able to scale vertical surfaces and ropes. As for food sources, mice will eat almost anything, but they have an especially fond appreciation for grains and seeds, including things like oats, wheat, corn, and rice.
Mice carry disease and bacteria that can be transmitted through bites or by contact with their feces. If you suspect mice have found their way into your RV, find out how to get rid of them once and for all!
Mouse-Proof Your RV
If you want to keep mice out of your RV, you will need to take preventative measures. To start, make sure there are no openings in the floor or walls that are larger than 1/4 inch. You may want to consider using a sealant or caulk to close any larger openings.
Keep food and other items that are attractive to mice in tightly sealed containers or closed cabinets. Store them away from the floor, as mice can climb and jump – they can even jump six inches vertically! Do not leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight; wash them right away.
Check under your RV for any openings that could serve as entryways for mice. Make sure your propane tanks are tightly secured and that there are no openings around the caps. You may also want to check and make sure your sewer hookups have caps on them at night.
Make sure your garbage is always tightly secured in a lidded garbage can inside a closed dumpster or storage bin. If you have a campfire, be sure to stay vigilant with it and put it out completely before going to bed at night, otherwise, you may find yourself with an unwanted guest on your hands!
Use Pepermint Oil
Peppermint oil is an excellent repellent for all sorts of pests, including mice, and it can easily be added to cleaning products to help keep your RV free from mice. You can purchase a commercial product or make your own by adding about a tablespoon of peppermint essential oil to a 32-ounce spray bottle filled with water. Shake well before each use.
Spray the areas you want to protect with the peppermint-scented water and allow it to dry. The smell will repel the mice and the water will leave a residue that will keep them away. Do not spray anything that you or your pets will come in contact with, as peppermint oil is not safe for ingestion.
You can also add about a half cup of peppermint leaves to your trash, or throw them into food storage containers and cupboards. The scent will help keep mice out and prevent them from setting up camp in your RV. Keep the mint leaves fresh by tossing out the old leaves and adding fresh ones every couple of weeks.
Get a Cat
If you want to keep mice out of your RV, one great way to do so is by getting a cat. Cats are natural hunters and will gladly rid your RV of mice for you. Even if you don’t have an outdoor space for them to play in, indoor cats will still be able to get the job done.
Cats work better than traps because you don’t have to be around the mouse to dispose of it. Instead, the cat will do its thing and then leave the mouse for you to clean up. If you don’t want to wait for this process to occur, you can always put the mouse outside for the cat to find.
Most cats can live happily in an RV because they can be easily trained and are resourceful enough to make it work. Make sure you choose a breed that is easygoing and easy to train since some cats can be too independent and stubborn. For example, Siamese or Himalayan cats make great RV pets because they like being around people and love attention. Don’t forget about kitty litter because it is a helpful tool that will keep your rig smelling fresh!
Get a Dog
If you don’t want to use any harsh chemicals or traps, perhaps the easiest way to keep mice out of an RV is to get a canine friend. Dogs are natural hunters, and they will happily chase away any mice they come across.
Dogs can also be trained to refrain from entering your RV, so if you have a pooch that likes to sneak in on occasion, ensure that he stays outside by closing all doors and windows. You won’t have to worry about chemicals or traps and your dog will be perfectly safe inside.
However, don’t let your dog go outside unattended if you are in an RV park or other areas where there might be wild rodents. Your dog may not be able to tell the difference between a cute mouse and a mouse who wants to eat him!
Dogs can also help with another issue that is commonly encountered by RVers: ticks. If you take your dog for walks, he will pick up any ticks he comes across, preventing them from coming into your RV and attaching themselves on you or other family members.
Use Cedar
Mice hate the smell of cedar, so lining your RV with cedar wood is an excellent way to keep them out. You can buy ready-made cedar boards or shavings to place inside your RV or you can buy cedar wood and cut it to fit if you have the means. Cedar is also great for use outdoors on picnic tables, benches, and other furniture.
Placing sachets filled with natural herbs can also help repel mice. Try placing lavender, rosemary, or mint in a sachet and hanging it in your RV. You can also place fresh mint leaves on a plate in your RV as the mint has a pungent scent that mice dislike.
You should clean out your RV at least once a year and remove any food items that may be attracting rodents. Make sure all openings are properly sealed and repair any holes found in the roof, walls, and flooring.
Install Motion-Activated Sprinklers
Motion-activated sprinklers are not only great for keeping birds and pests out of your garden, but they can also be very effective for keeping mice away. The sudden blast of water will scare away most mice. They don’t like loud noises and the sudden sizzle of water is something they don’t enjoy.
This method is also beneficial because it uses a substance that mice do not like, water. Mice are more comfortable in dry environments and just don’t enjoy being around water. This is why you will often find them near drains or sockets—they are seeking out dry areas that they prefer.
You can purchase a motion-activated sprinkler system or you can make your own with a bucket and a garden hose that attaches to your spigot so you can control the flow of water. You want to make sure the bucket fills up quickly when you turn on the spigot so there is a quick blast of water followed by a brief pause before it fills again.
Spray The Windows With Vinegar
Vinegar is another substance that mice do not enjoy being around. You can spray the outside of your RV windows with vinegar to keep mice from crossing over. This works best for RVs with exterior storage compartments as the vinegar will permeate through
Get Rid of Outside Food Sources
Mice are opportunistic creatures who are constantly looking for new sources of food. If they see a promising supply outside, they will try to find a way to get it. Make sure you do not leave pet food, bird seed, or even trash outside overnight. Store these things in closed containers and take them inside before going to bed.
To prevent mice from entering your RV, you need to seal off any potential entrances. Make sure the doors and windows close tightly, have no holes in the screens, and cannot be lifted open. Make sure there are no gaps around pipes or electrical wires where mice could enter.
If you keep your RV in a storage lot, make sure it is in a space that is rodent-proof, like those equipped with steel mesh topping or flooring. Otherwise, mice will climb up onto your RV from the ground or other vehicles nearby. You will want to take steps to keep mice out of an RV and one of the best ways to do that is by keeping your RV clean and tidy while it is stored away.
If you have an RV with a basement or storage compartment, make sure that no food or other items are left down there overnight. Mice can climb up through the smallest openings and will quickly find their way into any.
Use Dryer Sheets
As strange as it may sound, dryer sheets can be an effective way to keep mice out of your RV. Mice don’t like the smell of sheets that have been used in the dryer and will avoid them. This means you can use the sheets to cover food or other items that need to be stored in the RV away from prying mouse paws.
Place a dryer sheet inside a mesh bag and tie it to the handles of food drawers in your RV cabinets to keep mice out. Dryer sheets also work well when placed inside shoes or boots that are stored away during an RV adventure. The strong, unpleasant smell of the sheets is enough to keep mice at bay.
If you want a more immediate solution, try hanging a used dryer sheet outside your RV overnight. The smell will permeate through your rig and repel unwanted guests while you sleep. Be sure to replace the sheet every few days until the smell dissipates.
Keep It Clean
Mice are extremely clean animals and prefer to live in a tidy environment. They will not want to live in your RV if you keep it clean and tidy. They prefer to have a place that is free from dust, dirt, and clutter.
Before you leave on your next RV trip, take time to thoroughly clean your rig from top to bottom. Vacuum and dust the furniture, baseboards, windowsills, and blinds. Wash the floors and make sure there are no crumbs or food scraps lying about. Clean out the refrigerator, too!
While you’re at it, do a quick check of all the nooks and crannies where mice might want to hide: under seats, behind seat cushions, in drawers or cabinets, under mats or rugs, etc. Remove any debris or clutter you find. Pack up any food items that need refrigeration into airtight containers or put them into the RV refrigerator.
If you don’t want to do a full cleaning before your next trip out, at least pick up after yourself while you’re out and about. Put away all food wrappers and scraps that may have accumulated throughout the day so mice don’t get drawn to your rig by the smell of food.