Mice in the coach.

I have been having a problem with mice in our 2551.  I am wondering if they can get inside the coach from the engine compartment?  I can not find where they are getting in. I have caught 6 so far,  most of them have been caught under my bed.  I can sure use the help if any of you have solved this problem.   pcgreen

We have not had any even though we stored the rig in mouse city for a while. I did put peppermint potpourri in there as a deterrent so that may have helped. I want to note that the site I found the sachets on said they won't get rid of mice that are already there, just encourage new ones to find a less stinky place to live. It couldn't hurt to toss some around while you work on the problem.

An exterminator once told me that the mice leave pheromones that draw other mice to the same spot so besides catching the ones you've already got, you need to clean really good to scrub out that scent so they don't keep getting replaced.

As for entry, I suggest watching the video showing the build of the 2551 to help locate possible access points. They could chew through the sealant used around the plumbing that goes through the floor (on the fresh water tank under passenger bed, low drain points under kitchen sink, drains to black and grey tank, etc.)

I know mice can get into cars through the engine compartment so they can probably access through the truck also. Many vehicles have rubber covered "port holes" through the firewall to allow wiring to be installed. You may be able to inspect them from the engine side of the wall. Check both driver and passenger side as universal designs are used to allow for right or left side driving.

Good luck! I hope you are able to clear them all out quickly.
Holly

You might want to do a search for "mice" on this forum as there was a long thread on this problem and how we got rid of them. Use the search button on the header at the top.

Please fill out your profile as this helps other with your questions.

I searched to see if I had commented about this in an earlier discussion, but did not find my comment so I guess it was made about this subject on rv.net forums.  In any event I hope this is not a repeat here.

We store our PC in an enclosed RV storage unit near our home.  The facility is located in a heavily wooded area and is at the edge where the city meets the country. 

There is a product called Tomcat which you can buy at Lowes, HD, Tractor Supply, etc.  It is a package of green blocks about an inch square and two inches long of mouse/rat poisoning and is effectively used by farmers and ranchers.   

I put one block on either side of each wheel on front and each set of wheels in the back....total of eight blocks.   I have never had a mouse or rat problem.  They obviously have to get up to the coach and the only thing touching the ground is the tires.  Now, if you store outside that is a whole different situation and if you use it out there, you may kill some unintended critters.  You can buy little boxes to put the stuff in with a hole only large enough for rodents but I wouldn't want to chance it with a dog in the yard.

By the way, I keep a couple of blocks in the garage at our home and a couple in the attic just to be safe.  Our home is built on a slab and when we had a crawl space floor, I kept some under there as well. 

Paul



Paul

Mice can destroy the cabin air filter and enter through the ventilation ducting if you don't have the system set for 'Max AC', which closes the system to external air intake when the engine is shut down. And be careful with poison; the critters will eat it and crawl into confined interior spaces to die. Then you have the stink to deal with, which, let me tell you, is very difficult to get rid of.

Thank you for the input.  I have checked all of the pluming outlets that I can find to the coach and have not found an entrance point. I'll keep looking and keeping my traps set.   pcgreen