How To Keep Mice Out Of RV Campers

‍If you own a recreational vehicle then you probably know, mice can be a real problem at times, but how do you keep them out of your RV camper?

Mice are notorious pests among RV travelers and they have been known to cause serious damage to these vehicles. The thing is, once they are in, getting them out can be quite tricky, which is why the best way to avoid them is to keep them out in the first place.

To keep mice out of RV campers you should first try to block all entry points with copper wool, wire screening, spray foam, or a camper cover. Next, you should discourage mice from entering by keeping things clean and contained, as well as using repellant methods like peppermint oil or mouse spray.

The last thing that you want to deal with when you open up your RV camper to go on a camping trip is a mouse infestation. If you have never had contact with mice on a road trip, they can ruin your entire travel plans and also sabotage your vehicle by causing irreversible damage to it. These pesky pests are notorious for entering RVs where they will then chew on things, create holes, eat your food, and leave mouse droppings all over your vehicle. To keep your RV intact and to save you the headache of dealing with camper mice, you should do everything that you can to keep them out. With that being said, when it comes to mice, the best offense is a good defense, which is why you want to take preventative measures with how you treat your RV. To help you understand this further, we are going to take you through the best ways to keep mice out of your RV camper.

After extensively researching mice prevention measures for RV campers, I have been able to gather enough information to strategize the best ways to keep them out of recreational vehicles. My research has taught me that the best way to keep them out is to utilize as many deterrent methods as possible to eliminate their chances of getting in.

‍Block Entry Points

The bottom line is that mice are tiny critters and can make their way into the smallest openings, which is often why they are such a common threat to RV campers. If you want to keep mice out of your RV camper, then you need to identify every possible entry point on your vehicle.

Some entry points will be obvious - whereas others may be tricky to find, as there can be a number of places in your RV camper that are vulnerable. Identifying these entry points and blocking them is going to be the ultimate way to keep these vermin out of your RV camper.

This is particularly important to do before you park your vehicle for the winter, as mice love to make themselves right at home in a comfy RV when the weather starts to get colder. Let’s take a closer look at how to block entry points in your vehicle to keep mice out.

Vehicle Inspection

The best way to identify any possible entry points in your RV camper is to conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle.

You would be amazed at the potential openings that you can spot around your RV, which you may have been unaware of over the years. As you go around your RV camper, keep an eye out for any obvious holes, cracks, or openings that look suspicious to you.

Your RV camper should be a contained unit, which implies that any opening that is not intended for practical use is likely due to wear and tear. If you see any openings like this, it is best to get them taken care of right away. In addition, if you see any rust or corrosion, it may be wise to patch things up before it leads to a potential opening.

Copper Wool

There are undeniably openings on some RV campers that are designed to be there and can be tough to deal with. One of the best resources that you have available to you for these kinds of openings is copper wool.

Mice can chew through a whole lot but getting through copper wool is going to be a tough one for them. This strong, metallic material is perfect for blocking entry points around your RV camper. If you spot an opening, see if you can stuff some copper wool inside of it.

This is going to be a particularly good resource to utilize for any holes that you see around your vehicle. In addition, copper wool is a great thing to have with you on your trips. You may not have noticed every entry point during your inspection before your left but you may see one when you are on the road (or once you have run into mice), which is why having some stored away in your camper is highly recommended.

Spray Foam

If you see an entry point in your RV that you want to really seal the deal with, spray foam is going to be the way to go. This method is quick, efficient, and is guaranteed to prevent mice from getting into your RV camper.

Now, before you go putting spray foam all over your RV camper, you should try to approach it with careful consideration. Unlike copper wool, which can be easily dug out and removed from an entry point, spray foam can be a bit messy to deal with.

Not only does this product give your RV a poor aesthetic but it can be more challenging to remove once you have sprayed it on a surface. When possible, use spray foam only when you are fully committed and try to keep it out of sight, as it can be an eyesore.

Wire Screening

The truth is, you are going to want some parts of your RV camper to stay open. Having a recreational vehicle that is sealed tight is going to become stuffy and it will have poor air quality, which is why a lot of folks tend to leave their windows and vents open at night or when parked.

To block these entry points and still have airflow coming into your RV camper, try utilizing wire screening. This is a material that you can find on screen doors and windows in most common homes.

Implement the same technique on openings around your vehicle that you want air to come through such as your vents and windows (if not already in place). Simply take an appropriate amount of wire screening material that you need to cover the mouse entrance with. You can then fasten the wire screening with screws or strong bonding, waterproof tape.

RV Cover

A great defense against mice is to use an RV cover. This is not always going to be the most convenient approach for short-term parking, but this is a very useful technique to implement if you plan on leaving your RV camper stored for the long haul.

RV covers are excellent because they cover up such a large amount of your vehicle. The entire exterior shell of your camper will be covered up, which prevents mice from making any contact with most of your RV.

Close Doors, Windows, & Vents

This one should really come as a no-brainer but you would be amazed by how many people forget to seal their RV shut. Your doors, windows, and vents can be a great invitation for mice to make their way into your RV.

If you are camping, it may feel natural to have these open. If they are in immediate use, then having them open should not pose to be a serious problem. However, if you are leaving your vehicle unattended - especially if you are parking it somewhere overnight or long-term, always close all of these openings.

Repellant & Discouragement Tactics

The bottom line is that mice are incredibly cunning critters. You can do your absolute best to block as many entry points as possible but don’t be surprised if they make their way into your RV camper in one way or another.

This can be particularly problematic if you are using an older model RV camper that is more vulnerable to mice infestations. These types of RVs can have more openings and may have had enough wear and tear over the years that enable easier access to your vehicle.

With that being said, if you are finding that mice continue to be a problem after you have blocked entries (or if you simply want to be extra cautious), the best way to keep mice out of your RV camper is to use repellant and discouragement tactics. For mice, your RV is a haven from the outside world, which is why you want to make your camper as uninviting as possible for them.

Keep Things Clean

Something that attracts mice more than anything is a messy RV - especially due to food. These vermin are scavengers by nature and tend to take what they can get, which is why you want to keep things clean.

First and foremost, do not leave scraps of food lying around your RV camper. Any trace of food is going to bring in mice (among other things) which would include cleaning everything from:

• Crumbs
• Scraps
• Dirty Dishes
• Food Wrappers
• Sticky Surfaces
• Pet Food

There is nothing that will encourage mice to come into your RV camper more than food items that are laying around. Having an attentiveness to cleanliness is going to be fundamental for keeping them out of your vehicle. We would also highly encourage having a routine cleaning schedule that would include surface wiping, vacuuming, and sweeping.

Keep Things Contained

Having food in your camper is a must, but how you store it is going to be a major determining factor in whether it attracts mice. If you want to discourage them from making their way into your camper, make sure that you are storing your goods properly by keeping them contained.

The best way to approach this is to try to use containers that are airtight that will not give off a scent or be exposed for entry. If it is in your fridge, then it is likely okay. What you want to focus on are the dry goods that you keep in your cupboards, as well as any snacks that you may have lying around.

Do Not Leave Paper Out

A common source of bedding and shelter for mice is to use paper towels, cotton balls, or other soft materials. Much like with food, these items are going to attract mice into your RV and they will feel much more at home if you give them a comfortable place to relax.

Paper towels are a common thing to leave lying around in an RV camper and they can easily get shoved somewhere without you knowing it, which is when mice will start to utilize them.

Peppermint Oil

If you want a natural solution to deter mice, peppermint oil is an excellent option to consider. You can utilize pure peppermint oil or a peppermint oil spray (no additives) on areas where you think mice are making their way into your RV.

You can add some drops of peppermint oil onto surfaces, as well as vulnerable openings. The only thing that you may want to be aware of us is that peppermint oil may be harmful to your pets if you happen to be traveling with any.

Repellent Pouches

If you have been noticing mice moving around your camper or if you simply want to take precautionary measures, repellent pouches are an excellent resource to utilize. You may seem being marketed as ‘granules’.

These are made with non-toxic oils and materials that are great for repelling mice. You can place them around your RV camper to make your vehicle less inviting or you can even stick them inside of vulnerable entry points.

Repellent pouches create a non-invasive scent and many people even find them to be pleasant. However, mice detest the smell of them and will steer away from your camper.

Mouse Spray

If you are okay with going with an unnatural product, then you will find that mouse sprays can be quite effective. These sprays are a lot like your average household bug spray but intended for rats. You can spray in suspicious areas, as well as openings.

The nice thing about mouse sprays is that they generally do not leave a scent. However, some of them can be toxic, which implies that you may not want to use them in every situation - especially if you have to breathe in the spray.

Park on Concrete

Whenever possible, do your best to park your RV camper on a hard and preferably concrete surface. Mice find it much easier to maneuver around grass and dirt surfaces, which is why they are much more likely to make their way to your vehicle if you do not park on concrete.

If you are RV camping, try to always request a parking spot with a concrete slab. This is especially important if you are parking your vehicle long-term such as during the winter, as mice will try to seek refuge in your RV camper.

Lights

A great way to repel mice from your RV is to use light. These pests do not like the light and tend to feel more comfortable making their moves in darkness - when they cannot be seen.

Having a steady light on in your RV is a great strategy, but this tactic is particularly useful if you can have some sort of light system underneath your vehicle such as using string lights.