Pests are a huge inconvenience. Whether ants, roaches, rats, or mice, seeing any of these pests in your personal space is always frustrating. Unfortunately, even RVs have a chance of getting a pest problem, and it happens more often than you would think.
Rat and mouse infestations can primarily occur when your RV is stored away in the winter months, as it is an ideal warm location to make a home during the cold months. However, mice and other pests can invade your RV at any time of the year. So, to help you learn how to keep mice out of a camper, and other pests out of your RV, our team at I-10 RV has shared a few effective techniques to try. These are known to keep mice and other annoying pests out of your motorhome year-round.
Despite their size, rodents like mice can cause significant risks to you and your RV. Rodents are capable of chewing through almost anything to build up their nests. If left to their own devices, they can chew on furniture, wires, rubber lines, and other important motorhome components. This can lead to faulty electrical systems, structural stability issues, and other risky safety issues in your RV.
In addition, rodents also pose a potential health hazard as they can carry more than thirty-five diseases and are capable of passing on parasites. Other pests like flies, cockroaches, and ants can also cause issues in your RV and potentially affect your health.
Therefore, it is imperative to implement RV pest prevention measures to keep your RV rodent—and pest-free. If you think your RV has an infestation, you must address the issue immediately.
Now that you know that mice and other pests are quite hazardous to your motorhome and your health, you must take the appropriate mouse-proofing steps to keep mice and other pests out of your RV. To help you keep your motorhome pest-free, we’ve shared a few of the easiest ways to keep these creatures out below:
The first step in this guide on keeping rodents and pests out of RVs is to use natural deterrents around your motor home. While mice, fly, ants, and cockroach poisons are effective for infestations, as a preventative tool, they can cause significant problems for animals at campgrounds. Animals who may consume the poison, either firsthand or from a deceased rodent or insect, can get sick or die, and this is something you need to prevent.
That’s why it’s best first to try natural mouse and pest deterrents that aren’t harmful to wildlife. Some natural deterrents you could consider using are peppermint oil, ultrasonic devices, or mothballs, which you can apply to various points of possible entry around your motor home. Using a more natural deterrent also poses less risk to your pets if accidentally consumed.
The next step is mouse-proofing any possible entry points. To effectively keep pests out, you must make getting in first as difficult as possible. Look for areas where cables or piping run into your RV and where there are cracks, as these often act as access points for mice and other pests. You can use foam or caulking sealant to seal up these entry points. Alternatively, you can use mesh screens and steel wool if you do not want to use caulking or spray foam.
Another way to keep mice and other pests out of your motorhome is to ensure you clear any leftover food from your pantry before storing it after a trip or for the winter. This step is important as rotting or leftover food items encourage rodents and pests to venture into your RV in search of sustenance. Even the smallest amount of food and snacks should be removed.
While disposing of food during periods when your RV will be left dormant is crucial, ideal storage while you use your motorhome is equally important. You’ll want to utilize containers and storage compartments in your RV that minimize food exposure to pests and mice. Doing this prevents mice and pests from seeking out your RV to get food and create a home for themselves.
While food and shelter are usually why rodents and pests start invading your RV, a dirty environment is ideal for building nests. That’s why keeping your RV clean while you use it for camping adventures is important.
It’s also important to have it cleaned before it goes into storage, as you don’t want to leave a mess behind for pests to enjoy. In addition, a clean RV makes early infestations easier to spot, and you can address the issue effectively and quickly. 
Sometimes, there is a chance that even when preventative measures are being taken, mice and other pests will still be able to breach your RV.
Due to the risks that rodents and pests impose, you must take immediate action to remove them as soon as possible. To remove rodents from your motorhome, the simplest and most common method is to set up multiple mouse traps around sighted areas
where the rodents have appeared. While this method is considered old-fashioned, it is still highly effective. Mouse traps are also considered cost-effective, so they are ideal for RV owners on a budget.
To eliminate other pests, you can try natural remedies like sugar water and fly traps before trying poisonous options. Poisonous options should be a last resort since they can have negative effects on local wildlife and pets, but sometimes it’s necessary. You can also get your motorhome fumigated by a professional before storing it.
Now that you know how to keep rodents and other pesky pests out of your RV, you can rest assured no infestations will occur while using your motorhome or when it’s time to put it in storage. Preventative measures like the ones we have listed significantly reduce the likelihood of your RV ever facing a pest issue.
However, to be doubly safe at keeping your RV rodent free, choosing a reputable storage facility like the one we offer at I-10 RV is a good idea. We have safe and secure facilities that are pest-free, so you can trust that no mice or other pests will make themselves at home in your motorhome while it’s being stored with us. To learn more about our storage facilities—particularly our indoor bays—you can contact us here.
