Mice!

[medora]

Hi all,

We have a 17B and this summer realized that some mice had gotten into the trailer — not a particularly fun thing to clean up after They hadn't gotten into the upper cabinets, but anything on the floor, and the drawers under the sink, were all toast.

We looked under and around our unit and could not figure out where they may have entered. Do any of you have any ideas? We are taking the trailer out Monday or Tuesday for about 10 days so this is a good time for us to look and be aware …

For what it's worth, we have the spray insulation on the bottom of the unit ... I'd think this would have made it harder for them to enter, but I guess if there's a will, there's a way.

Thanks,

Elizabeth

[thoer]

E. I have heard mice only need 1/4" of space to get into something. The electric cable door seems the easiest route in if it's not secured completely. I keep mouse poison in there with the cable. But those devils will chew through most anything to get to where they want to be. Living in the country like we do means constantly warring with them

[medora]

Yah, I wondered about that. We always keep it closed and check it but I wonder if one of the little suckers got in anyway -- maybe a little poison isn't such a bad thing? I really looked and couldn't figure out another entry (looking included crawling around on the gravel under the trailer, which is great for an itchy back ...)

[Jim Bennett]

Mice and bugs potentially getting in, is why I went to the detached electrical hook-up. Well, that and the fact it doesn't tangle up anymore.

[J Mac]

As far as I know the only way into a 17b is through the front door.

[Brian B-P]

Does that door have a little gap at the bottom?

[Catchlight]

FWIW, steel wool is about the only thing mice can't or won't chew through, and is probably the best filler to stuff into any potential access points.

[J Mac]

I have the bi-fold door at the front, and yes there is a gap in the center of the door, there is also a gap on the entire bottom of the bi-fold door.
The bottom portion of the bi-fold resembles a broom or brush ( it has mosquito type preventative bristles) to stop vermin etc. At the hinge of the bi-fold, at the floor, I wedge a shoe or sandal at the vulnerable spot (knock on wood) and have never been intruded upon by squirrels, chipmunks, mice, or rats.
BTW
I only camp in the late spring/all summer/early fall

[GerriJ]

Believe it or not we once had a mouse get in through the roof vent of a camper we once owned. It was slightly open and it chewed a hole in the screen. The saving grace was it couldn't get out and drank the RV anti freeze in the toilet bowl and expired.

[CADreamin]

Last night I set out a "live trap" and, lo and behold, this morning Mr. (or Ms.) Rat was sitting in there waiting for me. (He/She was released into the woods about five miles from home where I know some coyote/bobcat/owl will dispatch him ... ). I'm thinking of setting up said traps under the trailer since I know cold weather is just around the corner and that will entice the little critters into seeking shelter. Thus, it's good to know where the "vulnerable points" are on the trailers.

[RonS]

Is it possible they could get in thru the furnace vent on the side of the camper?

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Catchlight

FWIW, steel wool is about the only thing mice can't or won't chew through, and is probably the best filler to stuff into any potential access points.

I always worry about using steel wool, it rusts. Then you may end up with an ugly mess. I'd be inclined to use stainless steel wool instead. Maybe something like this would work? At least it's corrosion resistant.

Scotch-Brite Stainless Steel Scrubbing Pads, 3 Pack: Cleaning Supplies : Walmart.com

[rbryan4]

This stuff works and won't rust. Plus, it's removable in one piece should you want or need to.

BuyXcluder | Keep Mice and Rats Out

[skiman]

Aluminum foil worked to plug couple of mouse holes in my mom's house. Ever get some accidentally in your food?

[CADreamin]

Had a co-worker hospitalized with a perforated intestine when he accidentally ingested a tiny piece of aluminum foil which had been wrapped around a baked potato. Can only imagine what it would do to a mouse.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by RonS

Is it possible they could get in thru the furnace vent on the side of the camper?

The furnace vent is part of a sealed combustion chamber so no CO can get into the trailer. Mice would have no where to go even if they did get in the vent hole.

[Loren & Cathy]

With cold weather coming, mice will go out of their way to get inside of anything. Just imagine them building a nest in your mattress. I have had a lot of damage from the critters when they get into equipment, chew wiring, build nests in seats, and dribble all over the place and stink it up. Getting into the wiring is the worst. They even will sneak into the house if the door is left open for a minute or two. I don't know if setting bait around the trailer would help or just attract more of them. Anyway, they don't stand a chance around here any more. Sebastian sees to that. Loren

[Bruce Wray]

I know folks who live deep in the woods, they swear by scented dryer sheets stuffed anywhere mice might enter and/or chew.

Bruce

[santacruzer]

Dryer sheets work for insects, also. I always kept one tucked in the water heater compartment. Screens over the furnace vent help with bees/wasps.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

This stuff works and won't rust. Plus, it's removable in one piece should you want or need to.

BuyXcluder | Keep Mice and Rats Out

That looks like a great product for the purpose. Thanks for the tip.

They do have one idiotic statement in the FAQ (highlighted in bold):

Q: Is Xcluder eco-friendly?
A: Absolutely. Because it’s made with natural materials, Xcluder has no impact on the environment. It’s non-toxic and non-corrosive. Plus once installed, it won’t rust or stain.

The stuff is steel and poly fibres - neither are "natural materials", and the production of both involves large environmental impact. The product does seem quite environmentally sound to me; this statement is just completely wrong.