How to Keep Mice Out of a Camper

Co-authored by Kevin Carrillo and Sophia Latorre

Last Updated: May 28, 2022

Campers are great for exploring the open road and making memories with your
family, but nothing ruins a trip faster than spotting a mouse (or the damage done by
one). Whether you’re currently on the road or have put your camper in storage for the
season, there are lots of ways to keep mice out of a camper or RV. What if they’ve
already gotten inside? Don’t worry, we’ve got strategies for getting rid of them and
making sure they don’t come back, too.

This article is based on an interview with our MMPC-certified pest control specialist,
Kevin Carrillo. Check out the full interview here.

1
Keep mice away with peppermint or eucalyptus oil.

Mice apparently hate the smell of mint! [1] Eucalyptus oil is a tried-and-
true repellent as well.[2] Soak cotton balls in pure peppermint (or eucalyptus)
oil and place them around the inside and outside of your camper, especially
around entry points.[3]
Wear gloves and avoid getting pure essential oil on your skin—it’s strong
stuff and could cause irritation.
Refresh the cotton balls as the smell fades for best results.

2
Try soap or dryer sheets for a natural solution.

Set out Irish Spring soap or dryer sheets inside your motorhome.
Although there isn’t any research proving that these strategies work, some
people find that they’re effective. The theory here is that mice dislike these
 strong smells and will stay away.[4]

3
Use commercial mouse repellents.

There are a ton of products on the market you can try. From rodent-
deterrent tape to sprays and pouches, you’re sure to find tons of options at a
nearby hardware store. Pick a few different types and try them out to keep
mice out of your motorhome, but keep in mind that they’re not proven to be
effective.
You might use mothballs under the hood or in the wheel wells. Don’t put
it inside your camper, though, as you’ll have a hard time getting rid of
the smell.[5]

4
Set up snap traps to get rid of mice.

Snap traps kill rodents on contact.[6] Set up traps in places where

you’ve seen mice or evidence of mice. Place them perpendicular to the wall
so the mouse will travel right across the trap. Use fresh bait, such as peanut
butter, fruit, or nuts, and replace it each day.[7]
Although you might think live traps are more humane, mice that are
caught and released are proven to return.[8]

5
Get rid of nesting material.

Mice are attracted to paper, towels, and other linens. Either remove your
bedding and towels or store them in sealed plastic containers. The same
goes for any paper material, including cardboard, newspaper, paper towels,
and toilet paper.[9]
Piles of lumber, trash, and boxes or cartons often lure mice, so get rid of
this kind of stuff or keep it away from your camper.[10]

6
Park your camper on concrete or pavement.
 Solid, man-made surfaces are less hospitable to mice than natural
ones. If you have the space or can afford to rent it, keep your camper in a
garage. At the very least, park it on pavement. If it’s left sitting in grassy or
wooded areas, you are far more likely to have mouse problems.[11]
Mice are often responsible for chewing through wires and belts, leading
to serious repair costs.

7
Set up outdoor lights around your camper.

Mice are nocturnal, so they tend to stay away from well-lit areas.[12]
Some RV owners find that putting lights around the perimeter or on the
underside of their vehicle helps to keep the mice away.[13]

8
Clean your camper after each use.

Removing sources of food and water can keep mice out. When you
return from a trip, take all food (including dry goods) out of your camper.
Thoroughly clean the entire camper and make sure to wipe down your
countertops, fridge, and stove. Vacuum or sweep and mop the floors to get
rid of any crumbs that might attract mice. This is especially important before
storing your camper long-term.[14]

Fix any leaks so there aren’t any puddles or drips.[15]

If you can’t remove all food from your camper, store it in airtight glass
containers. Mice can easily eat through cardboard boxes, but won’t be
able to get through the glass or metal.[16]

9
Seal up any holes or gaps in your camper.

This is the best way to keep mice out of your recreational vehicle. Find
all of the structural openings in your camper in which a mouse could get
through, then seal them up with a permanent material.[17] Do a thorough
inspection here, and open all of your drawers and cupboards. Be sure to
look underneath your camper and check pipe and wire entry points as well.
 [18]

Both silicone caulk and expanding foam are good options for sealing up
any openings.
A mouse can fit through a hole the size of a pencil, so it’s crucial that
you seal up even the smallest holes.[19]
Make sure any vents are covered with metal screens, as well.[20]

10
Use slow-acting poison as a last resort.

Slow-acting poison gives the mice time to get back to their home. You
don’t want to find a dead mouse in your camper, or worse, not be able to
find a dead mouse that’s rotting away somewhere. Plus, if the mouse dies
right away, the rest of the mice in the colony will be smart enough not to eat
the poison bait. Opt for a low-dose, slow-acting poison for the best results.
[21]

Make sure to read the label and follow all of the instructions. In general,
you need to wear gloves and a mask when handling poison to keep it
from coming in contact with your skin and to avoid breathing it in,
especially if it’s a granular poison.[22]

11
Disinfect your camper once you’ve gotten rid of the mice.

Mice carry diseases, so you've got to clean everything thoroughly. Use

traps for at least a week to make sure you don’t have any more mice lurking
about. Then, you can tackle the cleanup. Start by opening all windows to
ventilate the area. Wear gloves and a mask to protect yourself from mouse
droppings and the diseases they carry. Spray all the urine and droppings
you can see with a disinfectant. After 5 minutes, pick up the droppings and
wipe up the urine using a paper towel, and toss it all into a bag. Seal it up
and place it in an outdoor trash can.[23]
The next step is to disinfect your entire camper. Clean all surfaces,
including the countertops and floors, with a disinfect. Wash all of your
bedding and linens, and steam clean your upholstery.
Tips

Don’t waste your money on ultrasonic mouse repellents—they’re not proven

to work.[24]

It’s unlikely that your pets will be effective enough to keep mice out of your
camper.

References

1. https://www.chicagotribune.com/consumer-reviews/sns-bestreviews-
outdoors-how-to-keep-mice-out-of-camper-20210521-
id6wnj4yonb5bn5aldnwznbdje-story.html
2. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2014/249284/
3. https://mountainmodernlife.com/keeping-mice-out/
4. https://www.normandyfarms.com/tips-keeping-mice-rv/
5. https://www.consumerreports.org/car-maintenance/how-to-protect-your-car-
from-rodents-a5816950285/
6. Kevin Carrillo. MMPC, Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview. 22 October
2019.
7. https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/wildlife-nature-
environment/managing-rats-and-mice/
8. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/5/1/99-0125_article
9. https://campersmarts.com/how-keep-mice-out-camper
10. https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/wildlife-nature-
environment/managing-rats-and-mice/
11. https://www.consumerreports.org/car-maintenance/how-to-protect-your-car-
from-rodents-a5816950285/
12. https://www.mspca.org/animal_protection/about-rats-and-mice/
13. https://www.normandyfarms.com/tips-keeping-mice-rv/
14. https://extension.psu.edu/is-there-a-mouse-in-the-house-eliminate-mice-with-
ipm
15. https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/wildlife-nature-
environment/managing-rats-and-mice/
16. https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/wildlife-nature-
environment/managing-rats-and-mice/
17. Kevin Carrillo. MMPC, Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview. 22 October
2019.
18. https://koa.com/blog/keep-mice-out-of-rv-during-storage/
19. https://extension.psu.edu/is-there-a-mouse-in-the-house-eliminate-mice-with-
ipm
20. https://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/html/g1530/build/g1530.htm
21. Kevin Carrillo. MMPC, Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview. 22 October
2019.
22. Kevin Carrillo. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview. 5 November 2019.
23. https://www.cdc.gov/rodents/cleaning/
24. http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/pchousemouse.htm