Protecting against mice

[Clunegapyears]

We will be parking our van up four 4 months this winter for the first time in 4 years. I am pretty au fait with most moth balling actions. But what about protecting the engine etc from mice? We will be parking up in a country area.
So what should we do to stop an invasion of the little critters, other than a Brillo pad in the exhaust?

 

[Val54]

traps and a supply of mars bars (other chocolate products may be available) ?

 

[Clunegapyears]

I’d forgotten mice like chocolate. It’ll have to be something different to Mars Bars though ... they’re James’ favourite.

Do people put mesh around the engine - if so where?

 

[oldish hippy]

Don't forget gas drop outs and vents in garage use wire wool

 

[Roger Haworth]

The trick is to stop the mice getting into the van in the first place. I use two bird proof traps baited with chocolate spread and put under the van one at each end. I catch lots of mice. It seems it's a lot less effort for them to feed under the van rather than going to the trouble of finding a way to get inside. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Big-Chee...-Bait-Box-Home-Safe-Cage-Safety-/202282607027 You do need to check the traps everyday.

 

[Haaamster]

Cotton wool balls soaked in peppermint oil, YouTube it.

 

[Mr and Mrs Tupcox]

Do nothing till they are there.
Any food or traps or bait box's will encourage vermin to your van .from the smell which is omitted from baits.
No brainer.

 

[Val54]

Do nothing till they are there.
Any food or traps or bait box's will encourage vermin to your van .from the smell which is omitted from baits.
No brainer.

Is that when they are there inside or just the engine compartment..............................?????

 

[HurricaneSmith]

I once found a nest inside our campers engine compartment some years ago whilst it was in storage. Fortunately it had just been made and no harm had been done.

Quickly cleared the nest out and washed the area to rid the smell and they never returned.

Probably moved on to another camper nearby.

 

[Mr and Mrs Tupcox]

Is that when they are there inside or just the engine compartment..............................?????

Any were . I live on a farm. if there is no food about you will not have a problem .vermin only come close to humans for food when it is hard to find in winter.

 

[Val54]

I must tell that to the field mice who love setting up shop in my garage, and yes they are field ?

 

[Trek]

So how do mice climb up in to engine bay?

Is it the grasses and weeds that grow underneath a vehicle while stood in same spot for some time ?


I would think they could gain access via the electric hook up cable or any drain hose thats in contact with the ground

 

[Mr and Mrs Tupcox]

Natural repellent

I must tell that to the field mice who love setting up shop in my garage, and yes they are field ?

I must tell that to the field mice who love setting up shop in my garage, and yes they are field ?

I have lived in my motorhome for 5 years on the road and at sons small holding .
And now have static in a orchard.
No mice no rats .
In either ever .
Keep it clean and free of food box's paper they not intrested.
Your garage must to comfy .

 

[Badolki]

Last year when filling with diesel I noticed fuel running across the floor. When I investigated it turned out that vermin (could be rat, squirrel or mouse0 had chewed through the vent pipe at the top of the tank. Unfortunately this is moulded as part of the fuel tank and I had to replace with a new tank. Total cost around £500 ! What is it with rodents and plastic ??

 

[Growlie69]

So how do mice climb up in to engine bay?

Is it the grasses and weeds that grow underneath a vehicle while stood in same spot for some time ?


I would think they could gain access via the electric hook up cable or any drain hose thats in contact with the ground

The wheels and tyres are still on the ground, they climb up them. A lot of them use the plastic for nest insulation, particularly the expanded plastic like pipe lagging etc.

 

[jeffmossy]

As said already, peppermint oil does work

 

[Jaytee]

We have real problems as live in countryside. Ate the injector harness on the MH and that was with sonic devices and mains wires all around the outside which according to advertising would keep them out NOT. Even with a sonic thingamajig under the bonnet they 'still' chewed all along the main loom but fortunately not into the wiring so repaired ok. Now leave bonnet just ajar held open with a block of wood as well as the sonic device and been ok for a while. Same with old Landrover defender, seem to love eating stuff under the bonnet so leave that propped open a bit. Not being enclosed seems to put them off.