How to Deter a Mouse Invasion in Your RV

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A mouse head pokes through a cardboard hole - how do you deter a mouse from your RV?

Nothing will jolt you out of a sound sleep, quite like a mouse scurrying across the floor of your RV. You’ll feel a sense of being violated and offended that a mouse would move into your RV and not even bother asking for your permission! You’ll be on the internet searching for the best mouse deterrent for an RV before you’re even fully awake! 

Having a mouse (or mice) in your RV is not something you can ignore even if you tried! A single mouse turns into many mice rather quickly, and you’ll be facing serious health and safety risks by letting it get out of control. 

So, we wanted to give you a quick rundown on good mouse deterrents for your RV before you have to call animal control. Let’s dive in!

How Mice Get into Your RV

Mice have an impressive combination of being extraordinarily agile but also determined to find their next meal. Not only do mice have mad skills for finding entry points, but many RV manufacturers don’t completely seal off access points. Plus, a mouse has a very flexible body, and it can fit into holes or cracks the size of a dime. 

While you’re resting from your day’s excursions, mice might have their own adventures. They could use whatever means necessary to climb up the tires, cables, and jacks of your RV. They’ll look for any possible path–or chew their own–to gain access to your RV’s interior. Once a mouse has found its way into the RV’s underbelly, it’s only a matter of time until they make themselves at home inside.

A mouse looks at the camera surrounded by debris - how do you deter a mouse from getting into your RV?

Dangers of Having Mice in Your RV

While mice are small, their damage can be mighty. They’ll chew through wires, insulation, and any material that gets in their way. Mice don’t care if it’s the wires for your brakes, lights, or your refrigerator. These bites can not only render the associated RV parts useless, but they can also spark devastating electrical shorts. 

How to Tell If You Have a Mouse Infestation

RVers often discover a mouse problem by what the rodents leave behind. Mice may be speedy and agile, but they’re terrible at cleaning up after themselves. 

Mouse droppings are the clearest sign of a problem. Unfortunately, you might find them while cleaning out a drawer or resupplying your pantry. If you do, don’t panic. You’re not the first RVer to face this problem, and you certainly won’t be the last. 

You might also be able to hear them. Mice are most active at night, so if you wake up to squeaking or scratching that’s not coming from outside, it’s probably mice. 

Please note that mouse droppings contain harmful bacteria, which can cause severe illnesses for humans and pets. When cleaning and disposing of what mice have left behind, use gloves and a facemask. Wash the area with a disinfectant and sanitize your hands when finished, even if you wore gloves. 

Best Mouse Deterrent for Your RV

We’ve had a mouse or two in our RV, but we’ve done a few things to help protect ourselves from it happening again. Here are a few items we recommend to help protect your RV.

Victor Pestchaser Rodent Repellent

Victor M752PS PestChaser Rodent Repellent with Nightlight & Extra Outlet
  • Plug-in repellent is effective against mice, rats, and other rodents
  • Ideal for average-sized rooms including living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens

Your first line of defense can be the Victor M752PS, which is an electronic rodent repellent. Using this system couldn’t be easier as you simply plug the machine into an electrical outlet. The device will turn on and begin emitting a high-frequency sound that deters mice, rats, and other rodents from entering your RV. This is the most humane way of dealing with unwanted guests as it causes them to seek refuge someplace away from your RV.

Depending on your RV’s size, you could benefit from using multiple units spread out in your RV. Don’t place furniture or other objects in front of them, as this will diminish their effectiveness. Many RVers have had tremendous luck with these units by placing them in outdoor kitchens and storage bays under the RV.

If the Mouse Deterrent Doesn’t Work

Of course, sometimes mouse deterrents don’t work. They might wash away in a heavy rainstorm, or you might have missed a spot. When that happens, you need a humane way to deal with your infestation. We recommend:  

Victor Quick-Kill Mouse Trap

Victor M123 Quick-Kill Easy Set Mouse Trap - 3 Reusable Mouse Traps
  • Perfect placement for a quick, humane kill
  • Precision strike technology : perfect placement for a quick, humane kill

What do you do when your mouse deterrent doesn’t work? Eventually, it’s time to take the gloves off and show the mice that you mean business. The best tool for the job is a quick-kill mouse trap. The Victor Quick-Kill Mouse Traps accomplish their task quickly and efficiently, which is the most humane way of doing this.

These traps are most effective when placed in the areas where you have frequently seen evidence of mice activity. Whether it’s in a drawer or a cabinet, make sure to check these often as you do not want them to sit too long if they are effective at the task. No one enjoys having to choose this option, but it’s effective.

Mice can cause you thousands of dollars in unwanted damage or render your RV inoperable. Taking the proper precautions to protect your RV is crucial, whether you travel full time or are a weekend warrior. 

Have you ever faced a mouse in your RV? What did you use to handle the problem?

Last update on 2023-09-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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  1. We use Irish Spring soap bars when we are not using our RV. When we are camping, we just gather up the bars to get them out of the way. We don’t mind the soap odor

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