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Old 09-13-2017, 01:57 PM   #1
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1986 29' Sovereign
Chanhassen , Minnesota
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Mouse prevention - subfloor openings = needed?

My 1986 29' side bath Sovereign has numerous large access cut outs in the subfloor, typically around the holding tanks or anywhere a pipe or wire goes below the subfloor. Some of these are excessively large.

While I'm fixing floor rot I decided to also restrict rodent access by closing up holes in the belly pan and filling any clearance openings in the subfloor.

Is there any tricks others have found to work well? I was thinking of smaller clearance holes and then using stainless or aluminum screen material as a barrier.

Scott
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Old 09-13-2017, 02:11 PM   #2
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In our cabin floor we spray the hard non-expanding insulation foam
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Old 09-13-2017, 02:45 PM   #3
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1/4" is all it takes for a mouse to gain access .
Plan accordingly .
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Old 09-13-2017, 03:35 PM   #4
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Hi

If they *really* want in, something solid like metal flashing is the go to solution. Anything they can chew through might not work.

Bob
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Old 09-13-2017, 03:58 PM   #5
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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Probably more than you will ever need. Easy to cut and insert into small spaces and you can caulk over it like with Sikaflex or leave it bare depending on where you're putting the stuff. I've got most of the large areas filled like gaps at the front and back lower sections of the wheel wells near the trim strip which I also caulked over so it blends nice with the liners. One area I haven't figured out how to get to yet is where the stairs mount there are openings into the underbelly that you don't want to seal up so the stairs move freely. Might stuff some of this in there as I have read and heard of mice getting in that way.
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Old 09-14-2017, 09:28 AM   #6
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Take a long screwdriver or putty knife and a LOT of steel wool...one of the finer grades. STUFF and pack it in tight in any opening vertical or horizontal .. truly the little critters can enter through a space as small as the width of a dime.
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Old 09-14-2017, 09:29 AM   #7
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When we got our first Airstream in 2008 someone suggested that we use dryer sheets for mouse prevention. We live in the country with all kinds of critters running around. We placed sheets under the sink and in a few drawers; replace as needed. We've never had a mouse in the trailer. Maybe that's the answer.
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Old 09-14-2017, 09:45 AM   #8
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I use aluminum duct tape to seal all exterior openings and interior ones that I can get access. Seems to be working so far.
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Old 09-14-2017, 10:25 AM   #9
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Keep in mind they will run up the safety chains & in to the A-frame then they are home free in the belly. I watched chipmunks do this when it was stored outside.
Another access spot is the slots my step rides in.
I made aluminum covers for all these areas. I have a set for the step in the open position and the closed. Click image for larger version

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Old 09-14-2017, 10:34 AM   #10
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Use Stainless Steel Wool. This is what I did, but had to order from Amazon.
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Old 09-14-2017, 04:13 PM   #11
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A cat works well. Also, when I was doing the rehab, I put ample quantities of mouse bait in the belly pan, under the subfloor, in general anywhere it would be tough to get to later. When they have eaten all of that and their progeny come for revenge.....???
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Old 09-14-2017, 06:28 PM   #12
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Keep in mind those openings are also air returns for the furnace. If you close the holes up tightly the air the furnace blows into the space between the sub-floor and the belly pan has no return route. Air flow around the interior openings around pipes help keep them from freezing.

Stop mice on the outside by closing openings with metal, mesh, tape, etc.
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Old 09-14-2017, 08:09 PM   #13
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I stopped using dryer sheets when I found out they are poisonous to dogs. Since then I have been using Rodent Defense spray from Amazon. It is Cayenne pepper, peppermint oil, and garlic. Smells nice, works well, and is not harmful to my puppy!
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Old 09-23-2017, 05:58 AM   #14
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Steel wool rusts and eventually makes a real mess. Use brass wool or stainless wool, found in the cleaning area of any grocery store.
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Old 09-24-2017, 06:13 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maj Nelson View Post
Steel wool rusts and eventually makes a real mess. Use brass wool or stainless wool, found in the cleaning area of any grocery store.
Hi

It's not just rust. The same "electrolytic" issues you see with steel and aluminum also apply to packing stuff next to metal pipes. The issue isn't as much the packing degrading. It's more the pipe being impacted. It's something I might think about around a high pressure gas line. Fortunately we don't have any of those in an AS.

Bob
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