Campers are great for exploring the open road and making memories with your family, but nothing ruins a trip faster than spotting a mouse (or the damage done by one). Whether you’re currently on the road or have put your camper in storage for the season, there are lots of ways to keep mice out of a camper or RV. What if they’ve already gotten inside? Don’t worry, we’ve got strategies for getting rid of them and making sure they don’t come back, too.

This article is based on an interview with our MMPC-certified pest control specialist, Kevin Carrillo. Check out the full interview here.

3

Use commercial mouse repellents.

  1. There are a ton of products on the market you can try. From rodent-deterrent tape to sprays and pouches, you’re sure to find tons of options at a nearby hardware store. Pick a few different types and try them out to keep mice out of your motorhome, but keep in mind that they’re not proven to be effective.
    • You might use mothballs under the hood or in the wheel wells. Don’t put it inside your camper, though, as you’ll have a hard time getting rid of the smell.[5]
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8

Clean your camper after each use.

  1. Removing sources of food and water can keep mice out. When you return from a trip, take all food (including dry goods) out of your camper. Thoroughly clean the entire camper and make sure to wipe down your countertops, fridge, and stove. Vacuum or sweep and mop the floors to get rid of any crumbs that might attract mice. This is especially important before storing your camper long-term.[14]
    • Fix any leaks so there aren’t any puddles or drips.[15]
    • If you can’t remove all food from your camper, store it in airtight glass containers. Mice can easily eat through cardboard boxes, but won’t be able to get through the glass or metal.[16]
9

Seal up any holes or gaps in your camper.

  1. This is the best way to keep mice out of your recreational vehicle. Find all of the structural openings in your camper in which a mouse could get through, then seal them up with a permanent material.[17] Do a thorough inspection here, and open all of your drawers and cupboards. Be sure to look underneath your camper and check pipe and wire entry points as well.[18]
    • Both silicone caulk and expanding foam are good options for sealing up any openings.
    • A mouse can fit through a hole the size of a pencil, so it’s crucial that you seal up even the smallest holes.[19]
    • Make sure any vents are covered with metal screens, as well.[20]
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10

Use slow-acting poison as a last resort.

  1. Slow-acting poison gives the mice time to get back to their home. You don’t want to find a dead mouse in your camper, or worse, not be able to find a dead mouse that’s rotting away somewhere. Plus, if the mouse dies right away, the rest of the mice in the colony will be smart enough not to eat the poison bait. Opt for a low-dose, slow-acting poison for the best results.[21]
    • Make sure to read the label and follow all of the instructions. In general, you need to wear gloves and a mask when handling poison to keep it from coming in contact with your skin and to avoid breathing it in, especially if it’s a granular poison.[22]
11

Disinfect your camper once you’ve gotten rid of the mice.

  1. Mice carry diseases, so you've got to clean everything thoroughly. Use traps for at least a week to make sure you don’t have any more mice lurking about. Then, you can tackle the cleanup. Start by opening all windows to ventilate the area. Wear gloves and a mask to protect yourself from mouse droppings and the diseases they carry. Spray all the urine and droppings you can see with a disinfectant. After 5 minutes, pick up the droppings and wipe up the urine using a paper towel, and toss it all into a bag. Seal it up and place it in an outdoor trash can.[23]
    • The next step is to disinfect your entire camper. Clean all surfaces, including the countertops and floors, with a disinfect. Wash all of your bedding and linens, and steam clean your upholstery.
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About This Article

Kevin Carrillo
Co-authored by:
MMPC, Pest Control Specialist
This article was co-authored by Kevin Carrillo and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophia Latorre. Kevin Carrillo is a Pest Control Specialist and the Senior Project Manager for MMPC, a pest control service and certified Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) based in the New York City area. MMPC is certified by the industry’s leading codes and practices, including the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), QualityPro, GreenPro, and The New York Pest Management Association (NYPMA). MMPC's work has been featured in CNN, NPR, and ABC News. This article has been viewed 20,770 times.
33 votes - 91%
Co-authors: 8
Updated: May 28, 2022
Views: 20,770
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