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Harleyjohn · 09-10-2010, 12:12 PM

I have a '92 AS, LY, with several storage compartments, and will soon be winterizing it and wonder what seasoned RV'ers are doing for preventive measures re mice??
My daughter found info on-line re using Peppermint oil soaked in cotton balls and placing them where mice may want to gather. Any truth to this, or any better options.....moth balls disagree with my better half!
John

jjustice · 09-10-2010, 12:43 PM

What I have used has been placing Bounce (used in the dryer) to "subdue" the little creatures. I had not heard about peppermint which may work also. jjustice

Splitrock · 09-10-2010, 01:18 PM

My solution is to park in the middle of a large paved parking lot. Never park on grass or within rodent walking distance from their habitat. Never leave anything edible in the RV. Clean the RV. No cookie crumbs beside the sofa cushion, no dog or cat food crumbs, no salt, nothing edible. Set a minimum of 12 traps . . . check daily.

dkottum · 09-10-2010, 02:01 PM

My experience is that the bait used on the mousetrap would attract mice that otherwise may not come aboard. But I agree, keep the kitchen squeaky clean, nothing edible, including wax candles. I have had them chewing on the wires on my VW camper and nibbling on the wax the factory applied to the underbody for corrosion protection.

I can't stand the chemicals either. They seem to look for food and shelter in the fall, so start frequent inspections soon.

Doug and Cheryl
(Both retired Navy)

By the way, have you checked out the Family Camps at the military bases?. No special bargain, but the security sure is good.

stratguysrv · 09-10-2010, 02:48 PM

I had a friend tell me that Irish Spring bar soap would ward off any potential roaches. Does anyone know if this is true?

And, before you say not to leave any edible food in our AS, that is a given.

I do know that many of the glues used in vintage trailers are just as good as leaving a jar of peanut butter out with the lid off.

Bill

Bluto · 09-10-2010, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stratguysrv

I had a friend tell me that Irish Spring bar soap would ward off any potential roaches. Does anyone know if this is true?

And, before you say not to leave any edible food in our AS, that is a given.

I do know that many of the glues used in vintage trailers are just as good as leaving a jar of peanut butter out with the lid off.

Bill

Urinal cakes work good to ward off roaches. Don't know about Irish Spring although the two smell about the same.

r carl · 09-10-2010, 04:12 PM

Hedge balls?

mcair · 09-10-2010, 04:32 PM

Last winter they chewed the rubber on the lids of our Rubbermaid containers. Take ALL paper products (toilet paper, paper towels etc.) out of the trailer. They make nests with it and it creates a big mess.

Minno · 09-10-2010, 05:02 PM

Someone posted last winter that they had tried Irish Spring soap, and not only did it NOT work, but the mice ate it and then died in the toilet - didn't sound pretty.
Our solution is to seal every opening possible into the trailer (and I mean every possible opening!). We found that mice were using our electric cord as a super highway into our SOB (some other brand) trailer- once we switched it to a plug in electrical cord and sealed up the underside, no more problems. Check any opening such as plumbing breaks,etc. They can get in very very small openings. If your finger fits, so will a mouse.

Good luck!

Kay

Mikethefixit · 09-10-2010, 05:37 PM

Be advised that the A frame tube is open behind the coupler. I have packed the ends of the tube with stainless Steel Wool. I also used it anywhere I thought the little buggers might possibly be able to get thier head thru. I also have not tried the dryer sheets but I hear they dont like em. Same as we used to put mothballs in a mesh bag or old nylon stocking to keep mice and birds out of the buildings. They dont like the smell I guess.I also loop the embilical cord and safety chains over the A frame(actually my chains and cord come off) to keep em from climbin up them.

richinny · 09-10-2010, 05:54 PM

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f44/...-my-61552.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f48/...son-15788.html

Splitrock · 09-10-2010, 06:29 PM

I grease my tongue power jack shaft.

TG Twinkie · 09-10-2010, 06:45 PM

How are the mice getting in? If your belly pan is in place and the holes for drain lines etc are properly sealed and the fender wells are in good shape. I can only see one place on my '74 that a mouse could get in and that is where the power cord enters the rear compartment and I'm working on a solution for that. I live on a farm and we have our share of mice, believe me. So far, none in the trailer. Knock on wood.
I do use the room deodorizers, like the stick up type in my farm trucks etc and have no problems with mice, they seem to work. I did have problems before putting these deodorizers in the vehicles.
I will put some in the trailer, just for good measure.

Airstream25 · 09-10-2010, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stratguysrv

I had a friend tell me that Irish Spring bar soap would ward off any potential roaches. Does anyone know if this is true?

And, before you say not to leave any edible food in our AS, that is a given.

I do know that many of the glues used in vintage trailers are just as good as leaving a jar of peanut butter out with the lid off.

Bill

Irish Spring soap did not work for us. The mice ate it.

dkottum · 09-11-2010, 07:59 AM

Oh yeah, remove the soap bars as well. Most are made of processed animal fat and palm oil, among other things.

r carl · 09-11-2010, 09:09 AM

This is the best mouse trap I have ever used, it can be washed and you dont have to touch the mouse.
Catch and kill rodents inside the trap with d-CON® Ultra Set® Traps

Harleyjohn · 09-11-2010, 10:44 AM

This trap requires bait, which will 'attract' mice, which may not be the ones that wondered in. I prefer to deal with the wondering mice rather than attracting "passers-by".
Also, these traps appear to be difficult to wash-if you're into cleaning mouse remains in your sink (?)
I tried a "humane" live trap and I didn't retrieve it soon enough and had decomposing mouse (fluids) to contend with---discarded and replaced with a fresh trap.

pstrominger · 09-26-2010, 11:17 PM

I full time in a 2008 classic without slideout, in N Arizona. Last year I didn't have any problems with mice, but this year there was a population explosion due to a rainy winter. I have caught over 12 in traps in a few months.
I can say about the peppermint oil, it is very expensive and doesn't work for more than a few weeks if at all.
Right now I am focusing on plugging up holes where they get in. The biggest problem is the outside drawer on the bumper. The channels where the wheels run are hard to plug up and afford easy entry for the critters. If one loosens the bolts inside the drawer that act as drawer stops the drawer can be removed. One can then see at least 4 large hole that provide entry into the trailer. For some reason, there are two holes at the far end of the drawer well that the rails of the drawer slides into. If they were plugged, the drawer could not be closed.
Any suggestions?

63air · 09-27-2010, 09:22 PM

I've used a product called Cab Fresh and it actually worked -no mice. Farmers use it when storing equipment. Farm implement dealers carry it and I think I last bought it at an RV dealer . Good stuff, all natural and a pleasant pine smell .

bonginator · 09-27-2010, 09:46 PM

I can't really comment specifically from airstream experience but we live in the country and have issues at home with field mice. Orkin comes regularly and thye use steel wool to block all of the holes where mice might access the house so I think the steel wool suggestion in the thread above makes sense. Apparently, they don't like going through it or chewing it.

Thought I'd pass this on.

Glad I partiicpate in this forum as I learn new things every day - have not thought much about cleaning the unit out for winter to avoid mouse infestations. Now I've added this to my list!
Sandy