Why Do Mice Keep Invading Our Scepter RV?

by Sandra
(Vancouver, BC Canada)

We have had mice in 2005 to 2008 Holiday Rambler RVs. We have had a 2005 Endeavor with mice getting in continuously and a 2008 Scepter with mice getting in continuously. We have had older National RVs without this problem and know people with new National RVs that still do not have this problem. Is this just coincidental that we have acquired the only two Holiday Ramblers with this problem, because we cannot get information from our dealers or anywhere on the web about this?

With regard to our new Scepter, in particular, we have discovered that they first appear in the front drivers side baggage compartment where all the wiring comes in to an electrical panel. We have put wire pads around the top where the wiring comes inside (by removing the panel left side of the steering wheel), but they are still getting inside the motor home and once inside they have access everywhere including down to the baggage compartments.

First we would like to know exactly where these wires enter the RV at the back of the coach (as the wires run through an enclosed box underneath the length of the RV. We are totally confused at how they are still getting inside after we have stuffed the steel wool around. Please, we cannot be the only ones with this problem in expensive new RVs (there are lots of stories about older trailers and 5th wheels).

ANSWER: Greetings Sandra thanks for submitting your question on our Ask An RV Question Page.

I cannot confirm or deny whether mice like Holiday Rambler RVs better then National RVs. What I can try to do is give you some information on what you can do to get rid of these little critters and prevent them from coming back.

I suggest that you read this article that I recently wrote How To Keep Your RV Insect-Free During Storage; even though it talks about insects there is also a section on how to get rid of your rodent friends.

Of course there are all kinds of Mouse Traps available. Some traps are known as humane traps and just capture your rodent friends so you can kindly release them back into the wild or put them near someone else’s RV. The not so humane traps just send them directly to mouse heaven.

You can also purchase Rodent Poisons; which in my opinion are really not safe to use around your pets or curious grandkids.

The best way to get rid of rodents for good and keep them away is using a Ultrasonic Rodent Repeller. Rodent Repellers plug into a 120 Volt electrical system or work off of batteries and produce ultrasonic sounds that basically makes mice and rats leave the area and never come back. The ultrasonic sounds are not audible to humans, cats or dogs. But if you have a pet Rat, Mouse, Gerbil or Hamster you should not use this solution as it will drive your little rodent pet insane.

There are all types of ultrasonic rodent repellers available in all price ranges. Some of these devices work better than others. My personal recommendation is the Commercial Ultrasonic Triple Speaker Rodent Repeller. This highly rated Ultrasonic Rodent Repeller features; Triple Speakers For 180 Degrees of Signal Blast, sounds Like A Jack Hammer to Rats and Mice, the ultrasonic signal constantly modulates between 32 and 62 kHz so rodents cannot adapt, it uses an average of about 20 cents of electricity per month and has a powerful 110db output as measured from one meter distance from the speaker.

One of these would be ideal for a normal size RV. These also work well in your home or garage. Depending on the size of the area you may need more than one of these. The only caveat is that this particular rodent repeller only works on 120 volt electricity. If you always keep your RV plugged in then should not be a real problem.

If you have an electrical outlet in your electrical compartment where all of the wires enter the RV, you may want to plug in one of these ultrasonic repellers there as well.

One of our visitors named Lynette recently left a comment about how she got rid of Mice in her RV.

"I had a rodent problem in a class A but there was no way to plug in when it was stored and we had a dog so we didn't want poison. A friend suggested cotton balls with a few drops of Peppermint Oil
put here and there. It worked. The smell wasn't bad and the cotton balls can be put in cupboards or numerous places out of sight. I was a skeptic but anything is worth a try to keep the pesky critters out."

Also if any of these little critters have left any unwanted smells in your RV you may want to read the answer I gave to this question: How Do I Get Rid Of The Mouse Urine Smell In My RV?

I am unable to tell you exactly where the mice are entering your particular motorhome, but maybe one of our visitors might have further information for you.

Do you have any suggestions or comments on this topic? You can add them to this page by clicking on the "Click Here To Post Comments" link located near the bottom of this page.

Happy RVing

RVing Al