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Best Ways to Keep Mice Out of Your Camper or RV

Camping trips are a great family activity, but there are many of us who’d rather enjoy nature from the comfort of a recreational vehicle (RV) or camper van. Unfortunately, mice find these places just as comfortable, especially when the temperatures start to drop.RV parked next to lake with two chairs next to it

If you happen to come across this problem in your RV, it’s important to fix it. Deer mice, which are commonly found in these vehicles, and other rodents carry diseases and parasites that are easily transmitted to humans, like Hantavirus.  

You’re setting yourself up for disappointment if you’re saying something like, “I’m not a messy person so I’d never have a pest infestation!” or “I smeared some peanut butter on a mouse trap so I don’t have to worry.” Don’t fret, check out why campers and RVs are prone to pest problems, and how to prevent them, naturally.

Signs of an Infestation 

In most parts of the country, RVing doesn’t happen all year long. This means that many of them are in storage for months at a time, especially during the winter months. Stored campers provide comfortable, undisturbed shelter for mice to hide, nest, and breed. 

However, they can also find their way inside when RVs are in use during the spring, summer, and fall months. All it takes is an opening 1/4” wide to create an entryway for them. They can climb up all the surfaces in an RV, and the furniture and countertops give them plenty of living space to scurry around. Watch out for signs of mice in your space including: 

  • Mouse droppings
  • Gnaw marks
  • Rub marks along walls or floors
  • Chewed-up material around cushions, bedding, and cardboard boxes.

When purchasing a new RV, look for signs of an infestation including any of the items mentioned above, dryer sheets placed everywhere (DIY deterrent method, but mice can actually end up using these for nesting material), cotton balls with essential oils on them, and freshly scrubbed / still wet surfaces. Also, take into consideration where the RV has been stored when you are going to look at it. If it’s in a storage or barn-type area, ask about previous infestations. 

How to Keep Mice Out of Your Camper

Just because you haven’t noticed any signs of rodents in your space yet, doesn’t mean you should ignore them. The best way to approach this issue is to keep these pests out in the first place. 

Help keep mice out by pest-proofing your RV and considering these other preventative measures.

  1. Seal entry points in your camper. Inspect your equipment and the surrounding area for signs of pests and potential entry points. Identify cracks and gaps in the walls, windows, doors, and around plumbing and electrical wires. Seal them with steel wool, caulk or weather-strip so pests (especially mice) can’t get in.
  2. Choose your storage solutions wisely. Both the place you store your RV when it’s not in use, and the way you store camping equipment and items inside your RV will make you more or less likely to experience mouse problems. When you’re not using your camper or motorhome, make sure it is parked on level ground and clear of any overhanging tree branches and foliage.
  3. Cardboard can attract pests. Rodents enjoy chewing on cardboard and will use it as nesting material. Instead of cardboard boxes, use airtight hard-sided storage containers.
  4. Keep your camper and equipment clean. Food particles left behind on a cooktop or grill will attract rodents. Likewise, graham cracker crumbs and sticky fingerprints can attract other pests, such as ants. Clean all the nooks and crannies thoroughly and remove any remaining food items, even pet food, hidden in access panels or around the RV after cleaning up.
  5. Use a botanical mouse repellent as a method of prevention. EarthKind’s Fresh Cab® Rodent Repellent pouches are used to both get rid of mice and to prevent them from returning. Place these inside your RV all year long to keep these pesky pests from making your camper their home.

There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding mouse deterrents and DIY ways to get rid of them in a recreational vehicle. Dryer sheets, mothballs, peppermint oil, and even Irish Spring soap are not valid, long-term pest control options, at least not for rodents. Be sure to do your research.

Getting Rid of Mice in Your RVPouch of Fresh Cab Rodent Repellent next to a box of Fresh Cab

If you’re dealing with a current infestation, completing each of the prevention tips above will help get rid of these pests, especially the use of a botanical repellent. An easy and effective way to rid your RV of mice is to use Fresh Cab® rodent repellent. 

This fast-acting repellent is made using a mix of balsam fir essential oil and other plant-based ingredients. The ingredients work together to create an aroma that’s offensive to rodents but not to humans. 

Fresh Cab® is a USDA Certified Biobased Product and is also registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use indoors and in enclosed areas. 

Fresh Cab not only works to get rid of mice in your camper but also works to prevent them from coming back in the future. These pouches help to preserve nature’s delicate ecosystem by providing an alternative to kill methods like poisons and traps. 

The following three steps are all RVers need to do to get rid of these little critters.

​​Step 1: Use Fresh Cab

Place Fresh Cab pouches throughout the camper to drive them out! Click here for complete instructions.

Step 2: Clean Up

Follow the CDC guidelines for cleaning up after rodents: wear rubber gloves, a mask, spray with bleach water, etc. You cannot be too careful during this step, because Hantavirus is a deadly disease that mice can spread.

Step 3: Repeat

Fresh Cab pouches provide 30 days of continuous protection, even in places you can’t see. Continue placing pouches in your camper once the mice are gone to keep them from coming back. Replace the pouches after the scent wears away and enjoy your rodent-free vacation home on wheels!

Next Steps

Mice are looking for a warm place to hide indoors even more so during the winter months. Winterizing your RV or camper is something that needs to be completed each year before the vehicle goes into storage. During the process, be sure to throw in a couple of pouches of EarthKind®’s botanical rodent repellent, Fresh Cab® to help prevent any unwanted guests. Spend more time planning your next road trip to your favorite campground across the country and less time keeping mice away!

Check out the video below to see how Fresh Cab® helped remove an RV rodent problem.

Shop Fresh Cab

2 thoughts on “Best Ways to Keep Mice Out of Your Camper or RV

  1. Brenda Henke says:

    Is this safe for pets to be around?

    1. Rita Stadler says:

      Brenda,
      Our products are made with plant fiber and essential oils. There are no harmful chemicals that would endanger pets. Some pets are sensitive to strong scents, so please keep an eye on your pet; if you notice any changes in behavior, keep the pouch in a place separate from your animals. Thanks for reading!

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