How to Get Rid of Mice in an RV

Mice enter RVs in search of food, shelter and water.

Nothing ruins a nice, relaxing trip than discovering your RV is infested with mice. Mice regularly enter RVs in search of food, shelter and water, and once they’ve entered your RV, they rarely exit unless captured and removed. RVs are spacious, yet hold many hiding places for sneaky mice. Learning how to quickly and properly get rid of mice in your RV is essential if you want your RV to stay as clean and rodent-free as possible.

Things You'll Need

• Live traps
• Peanut butter
• Mesh wire covers
• Foam
• Protective gloves

Instructions

1. Bait the live traps with peanut butter. Mice are attracted to the taste and smell of peanut butter.

2. Place the live traps in all corners of the RV, in cabinets and alongside the walls. The University of California Agricultural and Natural Resource Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program recommends setting traps about 10 feet apart from each other behind objects, in dark corners and in places where there is evidence of mouse activity.

3. Check the traps periodically throughout the day, especially during the early morning hours and late night hours when mice are most active.

4. Release the mice back into the wild. Check individual state animal laws to determine whether releasing mice back into the wild is allowed. Most state animal laws allow releasing animals back into the wild, yet some states require you take the captured animal to a humane society or veterinarian to be euthanized.

5. Seal up all small holes and openings to prevent mice from re-entering your RV. Mice can enter RVs through the underside of the RV and by way of vents located on the RV, like the furnace vent. Place mesh wire covers onto the vents and seal all small holes and openings with foam to prevent mice from entering your RV.

Tips & Warnings

• Live traps catch animals alive and uninjured, preventing the animal from dying, decaying and emitting a foul odor in your RV. You can purchase live traps at pet and hardware stores.

• You can purchase mesh wire covers and foam from hardware stores.

• Never use inhumane glue traps or poisons to get rid of mice in your RV, as pets or small children could be injured by them.

References

• University of California Agricultural and Natural Resource Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: How to Manage Pests