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04-03-2019, 10:13 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Swansea Illinois
Posts: 91
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Rascals Taking up Residence in my TT
I'm taking my trailer out for first time this year. I keep it in a 20x40 pole barn. I pulled it out and opened up yesterday; low and behold, the little rodent "squatters" are back again.....
I have read all the post and done multiple searches on getting rid of mice in a camper, so not soliciting advise right now. This post for merely for your entertainment and reading pleasure!
When I put it away in the fall of last year, I had thought I did enough to keep the mice out, but I recon not.
So, I have cleaned and sanitized the whole trailer, and this weekend, I will be sealing every crook and crevice that they could possible use to get in the trailer....And, I have practiced my best "Elmer Fudd" impersonation!
In short, "I'm going mouse hunting".....I'm gonna evict them all! Ugh!
__________________
US Air Force Retired
2016 F250 Super Duty - Modified
(Air Bags, Extra Springs, Boxed in Frame, RV Cam, 4.10 Gears) Not your average F250
2022 Cougar 27 SGS
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04-03-2019, 10:18 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Solomons
Posts: 3,874
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Hope it goes well. Fortunately my neighbor has a big cat that helps keep them in control.
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Tom
2019 Alpine 3651RL
2016 F350 CC DRW
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04-03-2019, 10:32 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Fairfax
Posts: 507
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Posts like this are what inspired me to put in the ParkPower 30A conversion kit. Sorry for your troubles! I recommend a cat, they are fun when not mouse hunting too
__________________
2019 GMC Sierra 3500HD Denali Diesel DRW (Crew Cab | 8 Ft bed | OEM Puck System | Curt Gooseneck Ball for OEM Puck)
(OLD) 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Diesel (Crew Cab | 6.6 Ft bed)
2019 Grand Design Solitude S-Class 3740BH-R Fifth Wheel (Onan 5500W LP Generator | MORryde SRE4000 Suspension | 3x Cross Members | Sailun S637 ST | Reese GooseBox 20k 2nd Gen)
(OLD) 2018 Keystone Hideout 28RKS Travel Trailer
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04-03-2019, 11:58 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Guilderland,New York
Posts: 43
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You need to seal up the bottom of the camper. There are wide gaps between the frame and the under body corrugated plastic. I sealed up everything with expanding foam and caulk, inside, under and every little hole where there is a pipe or wire.
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04-03-2019, 12:44 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 1,005
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I read on here that sealing up the underbelly like that is not so good. There are heating ducts in there to keep plumbing from freezing and the warm air needs an exit route or it won't circulate property.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek Champagne 38EL - "Big Bertha"
2019 GMC Sierra 3500 Denali HD 6.6L Duramax TD, CC, 4WD, DRW - "Mr. Beefy"
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04-03-2019, 01:09 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,286
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cookinwitdiesel
Posts like this are what inspired me to put in the ParkPower 30A conversion kit. Sorry for your troubles! I recommend a cat, they are fun when not mouse hunting too
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I installed the 30amp shore power conversion kit also. I hope you are successful in your quest!
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Mike
2017 F250 6.7 Powerstroke FX4 crew cab
2016 Hideout 24BHSWE (27 foot TT)
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04-03-2019, 05:13 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Dandridge TN
Posts: 260
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Inspect for damage. The little buggers chew up everything. Check the electrical and plumbing closely.
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04-07-2019, 07:41 AM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 16
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Mice don’t invade for food only. Clean is good and exclusion is needed. After that add bait in secure devices inside and out.
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04-07-2019, 08:07 AM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,980
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Something to consider:
Most "cheap wire insulation" (think where Keystone buys their wire to build trailers) is manufactured with soy oil rather than petroleum. It's "sustainable" and "cheaper" that way. What does that mean to the average RV'er? Well, soy beans are a "natural food source" for mice, chipmunks and rats, so when they smell "soy based insulation" they 'naturally" want to chew it, fill their little cheek pouches and carry it back to their nest.....
End result for us: Gnawed wiring, shorted circuits and "rat poop" left behind as a thank you card......
How to fix it? Not sure, but as long as our wiring smells like their food, it ain't gonna end purty........
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John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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04-07-2019, 09:26 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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Rascals? Alfalfa, Spanky, Buckwheat, Darla & the rest of the gang?
Oh dear! Just showed my age!!
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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04-08-2019, 05:16 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Fairfax
Posts: 507
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH
Something to consider:
Most "cheap wire insulation" (think where Keystone buys their wire to build trailers) is manufactured with soy oil rather than petroleum. It's "sustainable" and "cheaper" that way. What does that mean to the average RV'er? Well, soy beans are a "natural food source" for mice, chipmunks and rats, so when they smell "soy based insulation" they 'naturally" want to chew it, fill their little cheek pouches and carry it back to their nest.....
End result for us: Gnawed wiring, shorted circuits and "rat poop" left behind as a thank you card......
How to fix it? Not sure, but as long as our wiring smells like their food, it ain't gonna end purty........
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Laughably, the most high tech data centers around the world all have mousetraps in the corners for just this reason lol
__________________
2019 GMC Sierra 3500HD Denali Diesel DRW (Crew Cab | 8 Ft bed | OEM Puck System | Curt Gooseneck Ball for OEM Puck)
(OLD) 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Diesel (Crew Cab | 6.6 Ft bed)
2019 Grand Design Solitude S-Class 3740BH-R Fifth Wheel (Onan 5500W LP Generator | MORryde SRE4000 Suspension | 3x Cross Members | Sailun S637 ST | Reese GooseBox 20k 2nd Gen)
(OLD) 2018 Keystone Hideout 28RKS Travel Trailer
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04-10-2019, 02:07 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Tonasket
Posts: 127
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I have never had ugly squatters in my TT.
BUT , I have two Cats with me when I go camping.
__________________
2018 Keystone Bullet Premire ultra lite. 19FBPR.
2016 Chevy Silverado , 1500.
5.3 liter V8
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04-18-2019, 07:35 AM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Virginia
Posts: 92
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[IMG]C:\Users\bill.atkinson\Pictures\DeskTop_Pics\Creat ures_in_the_Intake (190417).jpg[/IMG]
From a home HVAC replacement...but thought it was appropriate.
__________________
Bill and Kathy
2018 Passport 2670BH "Bubbles"
2017 Titan Crew Cab "Thirsty Lady"
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04-18-2019, 08:52 AM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Sierra Vista
Posts: 29
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We park our 5th wheel on gravel in our backyard, which is fully enclosed by a wall. The RV is constantly plugged into a 20 amp outlet, we have laid led string lights on the ground around the RV, and the lights are constantly lit. The string lights encompass the landing gears, tires, rear stabilizer jacks, and the power card where it rises up into the RV.
In addition to the lights, our dog has the run of the yard, and our two cats exit and enter our sticks and bricks home as they please.
Between the lights, dog, and cats, we have nary a problem with rodents in the RV.
Additionally, we don’t store food or drink in the RV, and from March through November, we have all points of the RV, which touch the ground, sprayed monthly by the exterminator when he sprays the sticks and bricks home.
Finally, I make it a point to keep the grass and weeds cut low and trimmed back from the RV, so as not to encourage insects from getting too close to the RV, which might, in turn, cause rodents from following the insects to, and into, the RV.
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04-18-2019, 02:16 PM
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#15
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Johnsonville
Posts: 10
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Also put pure 100% peppermint oil on cotton balls or paper towels. I do this when I store for the winter. Use several towels or cotton balls, scattered threw the unit. You can get the peppermint oil on ebay. The brand name is "NOW" essential oils.
So far (7 yrs) I haven't had a problem. I refresh the oil once or twice during the storage time.
This stuff is real strong, it clears your nose up while you are applying it.
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04-18-2019, 05:56 PM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Swansea Illinois
Posts: 91
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Thanks. I sealed it all up over the weekend. Took a while as there are plenty of spots these little guys can get in
__________________
US Air Force Retired
2016 F250 Super Duty - Modified
(Air Bags, Extra Springs, Boxed in Frame, RV Cam, 4.10 Gears) Not your average F250
2022 Cougar 27 SGS
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04-18-2019, 05:57 PM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Swansea Illinois
Posts: 91
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Good deal. Thanks for the tip. I'll give that a try as well
__________________
US Air Force Retired
2016 F250 Super Duty - Modified
(Air Bags, Extra Springs, Boxed in Frame, RV Cam, 4.10 Gears) Not your average F250
2022 Cougar 27 SGS
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04-18-2019, 06:03 PM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Swansea Illinois
Posts: 91
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mcmeadows1
We park our 5th wheel on gravel in our backyard, which is fully enclosed by a wall. The RV is constantly plugged into a 20 amp outlet, we have laid led string lights on the ground around the RV, and the lights are constantly lit. The string lights encompass the landing gears, tires, rear stabilizer jacks, and the power card where it rises up into the RV.
In addition to the lights, our dog has the run of the yard, and our two cats exit and enter our sticks and bricks home as they please.
Between the lights, dog, and cats, we have nary a problem with rodents in the RV.
Additionally, we don’t store food or drink in the RV, and from March through November, we have all points of the RV, which touch the ground, sprayed monthly by the exterminator when he sprays the sticks and bricks home.
Finally, I make it a point to keep the grass and weeds cut low and trimmed back from the RV, so as not to encourage insects from getting too close to the RV, which might, in turn, cause rodents from following the insects to, and into, the RV.
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All good points. We have had our trailer stored in our pole barn with power connected, but never left light on or anything. We cleaned the trailer out completely. I have sealed the entire thing, and I now leave lights on as well. We did get the pole barn treated by exterminator as well. It's been a few weeks since we found these critters had set up camp in my trailer.
I checked it tonight after work, and no sign of any further activity.
__________________
US Air Force Retired
2016 F250 Super Duty - Modified
(Air Bags, Extra Springs, Boxed in Frame, RV Cam, 4.10 Gears) Not your average F250
2022 Cougar 27 SGS
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04-18-2019, 06:57 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Puyallup
Posts: 244
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tbos
Hope it goes well. Fortunately my neighbor has a big cat that helps keep them in control.
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Yep, me too... I have several wild alley cats hanging around. My place is rat/mouse free.
__________________
2015 Starcraft AR-ONE 14RB
2014 Ram 1500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4
5.7L V8 Hemi 395 HP, 410 TQ 8-speed auto, w/3.92 rear ratio
K&N 71-1561 Air Intake w/FlowMaster Exhaust system.
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04-19-2019, 07:00 PM
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#20
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 19
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I got them in my Denali when elk hunting and had to mouse trap about six of them. I got my trailer sealed up well now and no mice’s. I back it up by putting Irish spring bar soap chunks about the trailer have read they don’t like the smell .
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