We will be storing our new S13 with bath in our drive in a month or so and do not typically deal with mice but I am looking for ideas where they are likely to come in. We never cook in or store food in the camper and I will fill the small gap at the front of the door bottom. I have caulked three places in the fridge compartment and will close the electric cord door and flap , I do not see any more, Am I missing any that are known trouble spots.
Mon, 09/09/2019 - 10:44
#1
2019 s13 mouse entrances
The best way to protect your Scamp for storage is to place Bounce Dyer sheets in every nook and cranny. In storage compartments, under the table, on the floor, behind the fridge etc. I have used this same method in storing my Corvette for the winter and have not had any varmint problems. I have found this to be very cheap insurance to protect against unwanted guests.
We have never tried the dryer sheets but had moth balls do similar but it takes half the season before the smell dissipates. Something to try this year. Thanks
2019 Scamp 13 standard
"Bounce" works? I've usually heard people plump for "Downy," and it sure worked for me for a lot of stuff I stored in my pole barn. But I suspect anything that's strongly scented will do. I would definitely avoid moth balls, for this application. They may have their place (like under my front porch, to keep the chipmunks from spending the winter), but I think only in places where the odor can dissipate more easily than in the confines of a Scamp.
Put a bright light, like a mechanic's droplight under your camper at night. Then go inside the camper and look for places you can see light. Look in all the floor level compartments, around the wheel wells, etc. You may have to move the outside light a couple times to cover all the floor area. Seal up any holes! We were invaded by ants at a campground in Georgia. Even very small holes can invite "things" in!
Someplace on YouTube there is a post by an Airstream owner who suggests placing a "solar-powered rope light" under your trailer whenever it is parked. Seems light deters mice. it sounds like a reasonable idea and another use for light.
athearn2, what did you end up having to do about the ant invasion? How did you get rid of them? (And what happened when you noticed them come in - did they get at your food, or bite you? Make sleeping impossible? [oh dear])
I have yet to do any real long-distance scamping, and won't be able to venture beyond Minnesota and neighboring states for a while. Ants aren't really a problem here. But it would be good to hear your story. What did you use to seal the holes?
Going Light,
We really didn't do much about the ants, We were only at that camp sight one night. We killed the ants that we found (maybe less than 50). I'm sure that if we had stayed there longer it could have gotten a lot worse. Since that trip I have replaced the shore power wire "mouse hole", set up from Scamp with a plug-in type connector. Have not had a "pest" problem since!
We are picking up our new 13' Scamp next spring. This is a topic that we are very curious about, so I'm happy to see some of the tips here. Very useful info!
I have never had mice in any of my RVs and I'm not sure why.
But I do use scented damp rid to reduce humidity, has anyone else noticed this side effect?
I also set mouse traps in anything I store and have only caught them in the tow vevicle.