How to Keep Mice Out of a Camper

Winter Is Coming … and Critters Are Looking for Shelter

Got an RV? That’s good!

Got signs of mice in your RV? That’s bad.

Motorhomes and campers are wonderful to have for trips and vacations, because they are literally mobile homes. There’s no need to book a room for your stay, since your lodging travels with you wherever you go! Unfortunately, RVs aren’t just popular for humans. Pests like rodents often find recreational vehicles to be cozy homes for their families, too. And now that the days are starting to get shorter and cooler, mice will be even more motivated to find a sheltered place to bunk down for the winter.

How to Know if You Have Mice in Your Camper or RV

If you’ve actually spotted a mouse scurrying across the floor of your camper, then you have all the evidence you need. But more often than not, mice will stay out of sight anytime you’re around. Even so, there are some telltale signs you can look for to identify a possible mouse infestation, including finding droppings, gnaw marks, or nest material tucked away in hidden areas. If you find the presence of any of these indicators inside your RV, it’s definitely time to take action.

Is a Mouse Problem in Your Camper Really a Problem?

In a word, yes. You can tell yourself that mice are little, cute, and don’t eat very much. But understand that these critters aren’t pets, and they can do some real damage. Rodents tend to chew through almost anything, including wood, laminate, rubber, furniture, and even electrical wiring. That type of damage can put your RV out of commission in a hurry.

There are also potential health concerns with mice and other rodents. Not only can they spoil any food they’re able to get into, but they can also carry a host of diseases and parasites that can be transmitted to humans.

How to Keep Mice Out of an RV

If you’re ready to go about mouse proofing your RV, here are a few good tips to follow:

• Close Up Any Possible Access Points

If you can see a sliver of light from outside, then a mouse can probably get in. Use expanding foam to fill in crevices, and then incorporate some steel wool into the seal opening. Steel is one of the few materials that rodents CAN’T chew through!

• Give the Interior a Good Cleaning

Clean up any spills or messes, and take out the trash. The tidier you can keep the interior of your camper, the less inviting it will be for mice.

• Don’t Leave Any Food Out

As soon as you finish your trip, be sure to remove ALL perishable food. Even unopened boxes can easily be penetrated by a rodent’s teeth. And if you’re preparing your RV for the offseason, make sure to clean out the fridge and freezer too.

• Shine a Little Light on the Situation

Mice are more nocturnal and prefer the dark. Placing nightlights inside and a spotlight or two outside your RV can discourage rodents from approaching in the first place.

• Try Using Some Mouse Deterrents

There are various scent-based deterrents you can try as well, including both store-bought products and homemade solutions. Some RV owners like to place dryer sheets around, others use mothballs, and some swear by peppermint oil or Irish Spring soap.

Don’t Forget About Protecting Your RV, Too

Figuring out how to keep mice out is certainly important, but how you choose to protect your RV through the off-season is another important consideration. A motorhome or camper is a significant investment, and one you’ll want to protect from the elements or other outdoor threats. Settling for a tarp or fabric cover will still leave your RV exposed to weather extremes, and does nothing to provide any security from theft or vandalism.

A better, more effective solution is to have a metal RV garage installed right on your own property. What makes metal RV covers better than other types of RV covers? Plenty. Metal RV carports provide reliable shelter from sun, rain, wind, snow, and hail. And for added protection, an RV carport can also be fully enclosed and turned into an even more secure steel RV garage.

Why Steel Structures Make Better Sense for Housing RVs

There’s a lot to like about steel construction when it comes to finding the best protection for your RV:

• All-Weather Protection

Steel structures provide superior protection from the elements, including lightning and even some earthquake events.

• Pest-Resistant and Fire-Resistant

Parking your RV inside a well-built steel garage will help prevent mice infestations, because rodents can’t chew through steel! The metal is also impervious to termites and other pests, and doesn’t easily harbor mold or mildew. In addition, steel is naturally incombustible, so fire threats are greatly minimized too.

• Cost-Effective

It’s actually more cost-effective to build with light-gauge steel than with wood for most applications. And the larger your building dimensions, the more you can actually save by choosing steel! Metal RV covers and metal RV garages are also easier to clean and maintain than comparable stick builds.

Delivery & Installation Included at NO Additional Cost

Not only is the price right, but you get more for your money by choosing a custom steel structure from Carport Central – professional delivery and installation are included with your metal building purchase! Do you like to do things with your own two hands? You can save even more by purchasing a custom-fabricated metal RV garage kit that you can pick up and install yourself. Each of our custom metal building kits comes with all the needed building components, fasteners, and anchors.

Choose Carport Central for Your Perfect RV Cover Solution

When it comes to taking care of your RV investment, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Carport Central specializes in custom metal building applications of all types, including RV garages and RV carports. No matter what you need, we’ve got you covered!

Our partner manufacturers only use the highest-quality steel materials, and each structure we provide is designed to last you a lifetime. Our building specialists are always standing by to help, and we’ll work hard to ensure that you get EXACTLY what you want in your dream metal building.

Why wait? You can reach us online, or to connect even faster just pick up the phone and speak with one of our friendly building specialists at (980) 321-9898 today! At Carport Central, we’re here to provide shelter for your way of life. What’s Central to You, is Central to Us.