Keeping the mice out?

[Daquenzer]

I use glue traps. Big enough for rats. They are very effective. Also not toxic.

[Oldman2]

Very interesting thanks to all

Preston & Ann
Mechanicsville Va

[pappy19]

Originally Posted by SilvaStreama

Some things to consider when making the decision on how to prevent rodents from entering either your camper or your home. Using moth balls off label is against the law. I know there are not Moth ball police coming to get you, but you can pay a hefty fine if FWC or LEO happens upon it. They seep into the ground water, and mess up soils. And, they really only deter moths, contrary to what you've heard. Second, the bait stations. As Bweybright mentioned, there are real risks to the animals that feed on small rodents, like hawks, owls, eagles, and snakes to name a few. And like the mice, those animals die the slow painful death. There are many excellent suggestions here on how to block the entries so they can't get in. I volunteer at a wildlife rescue and I have seen first hand the suffering of those raptors. It's really sad.

Not enough chemical in a moth ball to seep into ground water, ridiculous. Fact is that moth balls keep out raccoons, skunks, mice and rats. They can't stand the smell.

[highlandsnc]

Thanks to everyone for the ideas. I should have added to the original post that we definitely do NOT want to use poison or traps. Just trying to keep them out of the RV. I am trying steel wool in the 74 Shasta that we also have. I will try that with the Airstream as well. We don't keep the power on, so light and sound repellent will not work.

[SilvaStreama]

Reply to pappy 19
http://npic.orst.edu/ingred/ptype/mo...egulation.html. Point is, it is illegal to use them off label.

highlandsnc, best of luck and thanks for not using poison!

[wave man]

Try getting your hands on the stainless steel wool, regular steel wool will rust with little assistance, or get the brass or copper wool types. Haven’t heard anything bad myself about any that don’t rust as if yt

[cmrdgrs]

Originally Posted by highlandsnc

Hi - we have a 1994 34' AS Excella that is permanently set up in the Western NC mountains. Looking for successful rodent strategies. Excella can be unoccupied for months at a time. Have tried "Fresh Cab" balsam scent and peppermint oil. Not much help. Anyone had better luck? Thanks

I have a friend that stores her toy hauler in her back yard and swears by a device called rid-a-rat [URL="http://www.rid-a-rat.com"] It works using a strobe light and can run on batteries. DH and I went to the store to buy one and he saw the price and said "no way!" So, it isn't cheap -- I think it is about $45 for each device, but according to my friend it works. We don't have snow to deal with so she just lays them on the ground under her trailer.

The other thing I would also do as other posters said is get under your trailer and try to figure out were they are getting in -- but, this might be a project trailer and you're not really ready to start plugging up every hole, I'm not sure.

Good luck! Those little mice are sure a pain to deal with.

[waninae39]

glue traps have worked for us.
try to seal as many holes as you can. look for light coming in.
if you can see light, the mouse can come in

[perryg114]

These gel traps work well in the tray. The paper ones DO NOT WORK. Also get some spray foam and seal all the gaps you can find. This foam will at least slow them down.



https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Perry

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by wave man

Try getting your hands on the stainless steel wool, regular steel wool will rust with little assistance, or get the brass or copper wool types. Haven’t heard anything bad myself about any that don’t rust as if yt

I'd second that.
Try to find a marine store and look at bronze wool. It's used for cleaning stainless because it doesn't leave little iron dust (rust). It's probably as soft as steel wool.

[kurtk]

I pulled a 65 Caravel out of the woods a few years ago put a 5 gallon bucket inside filled up 5 inches with water and 3 inches from top I put a ring of peanut butter caught 5 the first night. found out how they were getting in plugged it.... maybe try a garbage can for rats if they can't touch the bottom they can't jump out

[basecampbuds]

I would be very leery of baiting, since I think it sounds strange to lure them closer to your rig with anything - we're trying to avoid, not invite. Better to repel than to attract. We have stored ours through 2 winters with no problem, keeping openings plugged and using Fresh Cab rodent repellant.

[CRH]

I have had them go in my trailer even though there was no food inside. They were using the trailer to store seeds. In a matter of about 2 weeks, a mouse stores hundreds of seeds in several drawers and cabinets. The only sign he had been there was shredded toilet paper.

[datwyver]

I use Rid-a-Rat strobes, available on Amazon. Works under the hoods of my stored cars, inside my pool heater to protect the wiring, and, so far, in my 2019 FC 27FB. Two AA batteries last for months. Only problem is finding places on the AS that magnets will stick to...

[pappy19]

Originally Posted by SilvaStreama

Reply to pappy 19
http://npic.orst.edu/ingred/ptype/mo...egulation.html. Point is, it is illegal to use them off label.

highlandsnc, best of luck and thanks for not using poison!

Yeah, I bet those wascolly moth ball police are just itching to throw somebody in jail for illegal use of moth balls. I read about that every day. Not.

[Jenner515]

Passing on info learned from the CU Boulder pest guy.

Mice can fit in a crack 1/4” or smaller. They can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime, and they can vertically jump about 18”.

His Integrated Pest Management (IPM) solutions includes using copper mesh wire, you can purchase it by the roll, to stuff into cracks. Copper doesn’t rust (don’t buy chore boys, they are more expensive and surprisingly rust).

He also recommended and used the plastic black traps with a well, filling the well with Hershey’s chocolate syrup. The mice have to stand on the trigger plate to get into the well and trigger it. These traps are more effective than the wood and peanut butter is not recommended.

Here’s a link to a video I made while working on this issue. https://youtu.be/p8F_00vQA5I

There should be another video in this CCIPM group about using the copper mesh wire.

Good luck, I commend you on trying to avoid pesticides where possible. VelRey

[Jenner515]

Adding to my previous message. Found the other video link regarding copper mesh wire.

https://youtu.be/7E64Rq_CGm4

VelRey

[troutdoor]

Don't use poisons or they will hide and die in your trailer... SMELLY!!

Step 1: Seal up all of your holes. I could a foam can that is made for rodent holes. Yeah, you gotta get down under your trailer and crawl on the ground looking for access, but you have to think like a rat to beat a rat.
Step 2: Get a trap in there to get the ones inside already. Victor makes a live catcher box that with some peanut butter or chocolate will 'always' get them to the party.
Step 3: Clean all of the hideouts. Get all of the feces out and wash all surfaces where they are found.
Step 4: Secure any food you have in boxes.
Step 5: Look into getting an ultras sonic mouse repeller.

[HankO]

We have gone over this several times over the years.

Here are some posts from 2009.

Hope this helps. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f368...tml#post763666


HankO

[gsg2013]

I have multiple antique cars and an AS RV. Ran an LED ropelight around entire interior perimeter of my carport and put them on a timer to come on at dusk. Seems to be working great!