Pesky rodents!

[RayD]

Today had our motorhome 3rd habitation service. Great news, all clear with no damp.
However, we were advised that there was significant evidence of rodents nearbthe boiler in our Bailey 79-4t. Yes, they were cleared by dealer.

How can we effectively STOP rodents gaining access?

Thanks, in advance.

 

[Deafender]

Today had our motorhome 3rd habitation service. Great news, all clear with no damp.
However, we were advised that there was significant evidence of rodents nearbthe boiler in our Bailey 79-4t. Yes, they were cleared by dealer.

How can we effectively STOP rodents gaining access?

Thanks, in advance.

You’ll do well to be certain of absolute barring - usually if they’re determined, they will find a way in … we live in the countryside and are used to dealing with them.

See if you still have them… get some traps set up anyway - I use humane ones only because the occupants create less mess when nabbed.

We’ve recently had a sudden influx of them in the MH - once we realised, I set some traps and so far have caught what we reckon was Mum n Dad plus 4 babies across about two weeks. I’ve had a fairly good look around and while there’s areas like gas vents, holes in the bulkhead for cables etc. they could climb up to, can’t see any nesting anywhere.

I found we had the issue by raiding the “general purpose” drawer in the MH for gaffer tape… and the distinctive black bits of mouse poops were there to see… we never heard or saw the mice, which some people have experienced.

Our most recent outing was between X-mas and New Year down to Devon, but it was a few weeks after when I found the evidence. We’ve two dogs who didn’t react any differently during that time, so I’m sceptical of t’other half’s view that we took on stowaways in Devon - I suspect that in the freezing spell mid January they were coming out of the mature hedge on our drive and climbing up a wheel, as the MH lives cosied up to that hedge… so we’ve moved the MH next to the house, which is a blinking nuisance for us - but so far since, no more traps populated…

That’s two weeks and counting, at three plus weeks we’ll be sure enough to re-locate the van to its usual spot - the traps will stay in place and all being well, remain unoccupied… if the problem re-occurs, we’ll go for plan B which is baiting traps along the hedge… our dogs and any cats together triggers entertainment that precludes a permanent feline resident, still otherwise one of the best mouse controllers… so if you can, add a cat to the mix.

Advice also is to leave nothing like rice, cereals or other food on board - we’d left kibble for the dogs on there but saw no sign of theft by mice, and that’s now been removed anyway… and we’ve been spraying peppermint around the hab area and front, which was also recommended - here on Funsters, I think - it does leave a pleasant greeting smell when we enter, but mice apparently hate the smell and are repelled…

All being well your issue has been and gone - same here!!

 

[Swamp]

I’ve had two vehicles, a car I still own and a previous motorhome damaged by mice chewing on the wiring loom insulation so I’m somewhat paranoid about them getting into our new van. We live in the countryside with fields and rough ground all around so mice will always be in the area. Early winter and the start of any cold spells are the worst time for mice to be looking for shelter.
Mice are nocturnal and are strongly deterred by bright light so I’ve wired up a couple of outdoor (waterproof IP66) 6 foot long strip lights that I simply push under the van and leave switched on 24/7 while it’s parked up at home. I have a similar set up for the car which is parked in the garage with 1 strip light.
Since setting these up I haven’t had any issues so they’re working as intended.
Yes, tuning them does have a cost in electricity use but LED’s are very low power and we generate a lot of solar at home so it’s minimal. It has the advantage of being a humane deterrent which I prefer.
As a last line of defence I do have a couple of traditional mouse traps in the van baited with very small biscuit crumbs as I want to catch any mice that do get past the lights but don’t want the smell of food to attract mice in! So far none of the traps have caught anything which is good.

 

[MisterB]

Swamp - Love the suggestion re the light ... !!!

 

[Deckchair]

I go round perimeter of motorhome with Jeyes fluid