People seem to have a natural aversion to mice, and for good reason, considering they can cause and spread diseases such as the plague and Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. They can also infest the kitchen and food supply. Unfortunately, mice and other rodents can also cause serious damage to your home and property. Recreational vehicles, like your trailer or camper, can be a prime target for rodents. Here are tips to keep your RV from becoming infested with mice.

Seal Openings

If you live in the north, your RV likely spends a lot of time in storage. You may have a commercial storage unit, but if you're like most people, you just park your RV in the driveway for the winter.

As mice, squirrels, chipmunks and other rodents prepare for winter, they're looking for a warm and comfortable place to call home. Your empty RV is the perfect place. It's out of the elements, and it is not being used by people.

There are plenty of places for a mouse to enter. Where the plumbing comes up through the floor is an ideal entry point. The holes are usually cut considerably larger than they need to be. Spray foam insulation will tightly seal the hole. Seal any cracks around the doors and windows as well as utility panels. Enter your RV on a bright, sunny day and look for any areas where the sunlight is streaming through and seal those holes, too.

Remove All Food Sources

Don't keep food of any kind in your RV over the winter. Even condiments or other items that could survive the cold should be removed. Storing in plastic containers won't work as the mice will just chew through them if they smell food.

At the end of the season, the RV should be thoroughly cleaned. Even the smallest spill or crumb will attract rodents.

Use Peppermint Sachets

It used to be believed that moth balls would deter mice, but they don't work. Peppermint oil has been found to be slightly effective; however, it's certainly no cure for a mouse infestation. Plus, then your entire RV will smell like a peppermint lozenge. Still, it doesn't hurt to hang a few sachets in areas that are hard to reach for a second line of defense.  

If you find evidence of mouse activity, such their droppings, nuts and pine cones in your bedding, or chewed wiring, it's time to call a professional mouse elimination service before they do any more damage. You can also have an extermination service come and do mouse-proofing before winter storage.