The BEST Mouse & Rodent deterrents for Motorhomes, RVs and Campers (2022 up to date)

Do you know that mice, rats, squirrels, and different rodents could cause HUGE harm to your motorhome, RV or camper? In actual fact, only in the near past a good friend of mine had her journey RUINED as a result of a mouse chewed her gas line.

That can assist you keep away from the identical drawback, we’ve put collectively this information on the BEST mouse deterrent for campers to guard your van from rodents, and different ideas and residential treatments you may wish to attempt too.

Don’t overlook to seize your FREE motorhome upkeep guidelines under to be sure you get all of your checks executed.

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In case you discover this publish helpful, you can even deal with us to a espresso on the backside of this page- we promise to get pleasure from it whereas creating extra helpful content material like this- we’d even bask in a biscuit (or two!)

Mice in your motorhome- the issue

Till you’ve found a mouse in your motorhome or campervan, it’s troublesome to clarify the harm they’ll do.

We discovered mice in our motorhome a few years in the past, after we’d been wild tenting in Scotland. That they had eaten into ALL the dried meals (together with the pet food) and had destroyed my folding yoga mat to make a nest below the fridge.

To say it was a large number is an understatement.

The harm {that a} mouse can do to your motorhome

Nonetheless, it seems we obtained away flippantly.

Just lately, I met a good friend of mine referred to as Leah up in Scotland and we have been planning a route across the North Coast 500 with our motorhomes.

We obtained barely an hour north of Edinburgh, and she or he mentioned she may scent diesel. Once we stopped, diesel was POURING out… and we found {that a} mouse had chewed by her hose.

Sadly, this meant she needed to be towed again south and missed out on your entire journey. 🙁

We wish to assist you to keep away from this trauma.

We’ve rounded up the most effective deterrents to maintain mice, rats, squirrels, snakes and different rodents out of your motorhome, campervan, caravan or RV, plus some pure or house treatments which you’ll choose up from wherever.

How do mice and different pests get into your van?

Because the temperatures drop, the animals begin searching for someplace heat to make their nests… and your van is the PERFECT place (particularly if there’s meals saved inside too.)

So be ESPECIALLY cautious should you’re motorhoming in winter or planning a UK winter highway journey– you’re extra more likely to entice undesirable company!

Mice have two prime skills- they’re small they usually’re nice at climbing. This implies they’ll and can discover entry factors into your camper, even should you suppose it’s too excessive off the bottom for them.

They will enter by ducts, exterior vents, holes in roofs, flooring or partitions, tubes, aerial holes and the commonest possibility is that they climb the tyre into the engine bay.

Different pests and bugs can get entry by way of:

• Actually tiny openings between panels or exterior (equivalent to the place pipes move by)
• Cracks within the flooring or air flow holes
• By means of doorways, home windows or hatches left ajar

How are you aware should you’ve obtained mice or pests in your motorhome?

The Biscuit check!

In case you’re shutting down your van for the winter, and wish to know if any unwelcome ‘company’ have moved in (I don’t imply the in-laws!), then put a bit of biscuit on the ground of your van whenever you depart it.

If it’s nonetheless there whenever you come again, you may be fairly positive you’re secure from pests and rodents in your van.

If it’s not… 😱

Shutting down your motorhome/ camper for winter?

Seize your FREE winter shutdown guidelines right here

What’s one of the best ways to maintain mice out of an RV or camper?

The simplest technique to keep away from harm to your camper from mice or rodents is to not allow them to in within the first place.

You are able to do this by:

• sealing all factors of entry (though you’ll nonetheless want some for air flow)
• utilizing rodent scarers and deterrents
• not storing meals in your van, particularly in decrease lockers
• protecting your camper clear inside
• Not storing meals or leaving garbage baggage exterior your van to take to the bin within the morning!

How do I hold mice or bugs out of my RV camper within the winter or in storage?

Most undesirable pest ‘invasions’ occur over winter or when your van isn’t getting used usually.

It doesn’t at all times need to be in storage. Leah’s van was broken after she wild camped subsequent to a loch in Scotland!

However the majority of rodents discover a means into automobiles which aren’t getting used quite a bit. To assist cease this, you’ll be able to match issues like exterior vent covers, seal up filling factors and even placing a canopy in your van may help.

How do you retain mice from climbing into your van?

It at all times surprises me simply how HIGH these critters can soar and climb. Tyres, standing, awnings- you title it, they’ll climb it.

If you wish to cease mice from climbing up your tyres, you’ll be able to wrap rings of sheet metallic round your tyres, jack stands or anything you don’t need mice to climb up! Make the rings a few foot tall and no mouse will be capable of scale it.

What’s the finest mouse deterrents for campers and motorhomes?

There are a number of issues you are able to do to discourage mice from selecting your van. The principle choices are:

• Sprays with important oils (like Peppermint)
• Ultrasonic Pest Repellents (Battery, plug-in or 12v variations)
• Humane traps

Sprays with Important oils

Peppermint oil is the commonest type of rodent deterrent we’ve heard of, and is the most effective pure treatment too.

Mice apparently hate the scent of peppermint, in order that they received’t go close to the van.

Lavender has additionally been identified to have an analogous impact, as does eucalyptus, chilli oil and mint.

Easy methods to use Peppermint Oil to repel mice

A very powerful issues is the energy of the mix- the stronger the scent, the extra poor Mr Mouse doesn’t prefer it.

Nonetheless, with important oils, it is advisable to contemplate

• Your well being circumstances
• Pets you have got

Some individuals can react badly to important oils, so use just a little to begin with and construct up. Additionally, be sure you put them someplace a pet can’t drink or chew them. ]

To make use of Oil with cotton balls to repel mice in your van

Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and put throughout your motorhome or RV. In case you put them in a jar, make sure that the lid xis off.

In fact, you’ll have to replenish and exchange the oil/ cotton wool pretty recurrently.

To make use of oil with spray- for exterior use

In a 400ml spray bottle, add the peppermint oil drops and water. Make this as potent as you want. You possibly can add approx. 10-15 drops to 400ml for a robust combine. Shake nicely to combine collectively.

Spray onto across the parameter of your van on the bottom exterior. This may create a scent barrier that the mice won’t wish to cross. Do that as soon as per week or after heavy rain.

However should you spray round your van beneath, this could assist with not having it dilute/wash away with rain.

Use the Oils and Spray for Inner use

Create a weaker spray (use 3-5 drops of peppermint oil per 400ml). You don’t need it too robust, particularly should you’re travelling with canine.

Spray this onto areas the place there’s an inlet or gap into the van.

CAUTION: Don’t spray onto something the place there’s going to be direct heat- this spray is oil based mostly and flammable!

In case your van goes into storage for winter, you possibly can most likely make a stronger mixture of the inner spray and depart it there while you’re not utilizing your van.

Does peppermint spray actually hold mice away?

Apparently so! Many individuals have used this spray with success- so it’s price making an attempt.

Finest mouse deterrent for campers- pre-made sprays

In case you don’t wish to make your individual, you should buy pre-made sprays

Ultrasonic 240v pest repellents

These are extensively bought, however have very combined evaluations they usually’re not the most effective answer to maintain mice away from motorhomes or RVs.

For a begin, they require energy, which can be a relentless drain in your motorhome leisure battery.

Subsequent, they don’t work immediately, however work over time, by emitting completely different frequencies of ultrasonic waves to annoy the nervous system of bugs and rats. This makes the pests really feel uncomfortable in order that they transfer away.

Intermittent modifications in ultrasound frequency stop them from growing immunity and flexibility.

They’re presupposed to be imperceptible to people, however many individuals have reported feeling complications or listening to high-frequency noise.

They can be utilized exterior or inside (relying on the mannequin), so may be fitted into engine bays or below the van.

12v or Battery operated Rodent Scarers

It’s additionally doable to purchase 12v or battery-powered versions of those rodent scarers. These may be simpler to suit, however it is advisable to keep in mind to alter the batteries or that there’ll nonetheless be a drain in your battery.

Personally, we used these in a storage a number of years in the past and didn’t have nice success, however be at liberty to try to see in the event that they be just right for you. That is the best rated one on Amazon.

Mothballs

One other scent mice don’t like is mothballs, so contemplating placing a few of these round your van.

Different scents rodents don’t like embrace; vinegar, clove oil and cayenne pepper.

Do dryer sheets hold mice out of camper?

Apparently so! Within the UK, we don’t use dryer sheets as a lot as they do in America, however many individuals have steered them as a fantastic answer to repel mice in your RV or motorhome. Once more, you’ll want to interchange recurrently to take care of effectiveness.

Humane Traps

When you’ve got an present drawback with mice or rodents in your van, you may wish to use a humane trap to catch them.

Lastly- the BEST mouse deterrent for campers, motorhomes and RVs…?

Get a cat.

I’ve by no means ever heard of a motorhome or RV proprietor who travels with a cat who’ve a cat who has an issue with mice of their van. Co-incedence? I feel not…

Many because of Leah for her images and ideas when scripting this publish. Follow her on Instagram

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