daireemt
Churchill, Montana
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Joined: 02/06/2009
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We're interested in others experience when dispersed camping on National Forest lands. We just returned from a week out dry camping in Western Montana Nat'l Forests. After 36 hours along a mountain stream, where evidence showed others have camped, we discovered mice in our fifth wheel, that weren't there prior!! Just our second night out we 'dispatched' one we caught running around in the coach, and heard others between ceiling and wall. Upon purchasing traps after the 2nd day, we caught 7 more in the basement over the next three days. And this after never seeing mice or evidence the previous 3 years of ownership. Due to other factors, we spent 2 nights dry camping in the back lot of a R.V. resort, & found no new invaders, before moving to a new dry camping spot several hundred miles away. Again, by the second night, we caught another 'visitor.'
Finally the question.....Is this common when dry camping/boondocking on public lands? Most of our camping previously has been in N.F. or state park C.G.s. We love finding the more quiet spots afforded by
dispersed/dry camping,but really hate being a rodent magnet. What could explain the sudden infestation? I know N.F. campgrounds aren't rodent free, but we've never had even 1 mouse the last three years-and now 8 in one week! Any ideas, comments, opinions, experiences welcomed.
Thanks.............
Daireemt--'Out-standing in his field.'
Dear Wife of 30.75 years
2004.5 Chevy Duramax
2007 Jayco 28.5 RLS
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philhoey
Central MD
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Joined: 03/21/2004
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With our old travel trailer we seemed to have issues with Mickey and his friends (including at home - but I have some land so fur balls are not uncommon). What we found is just to leave DCON out in a few locations. We have found those untrasonic devices to be ineffective. Of course if you have a cat, most rodents will stay away if they smell a cat.
Phil
Phillip, Janet, and the Mutt
2003 Silverado 1500HD 4.10 rear
32' Coachman 5th wheel
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Cat Lady
Baton Rouge, LA
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Joined: 12/18/2007
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Heeeeeereeee, Kitttyy, Kitttttyyy, Kittttyyyy!
As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point the wrong way.
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Ivylog
Blairsville, Ga. USA
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Joined: 06/30/2004
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I think I've found where they are getting into our MH so welcome to the club. Cat Lady summed it up pretty well as our cat has caught two chipmonks (still alive when released) and three mice in the last two weeks. Half were in Red Canyon CG UT and the rest while dispersed camping. Not sure how many I'm hauling around down below.
This post is my opinion (free advice). It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
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midnightsadie
ohio
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Joined: 01/07/2008
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put peppermint OIL on cotton balls .put them every where . in your rv. and on the outside ,mix up some peppermint oil and olive oil in a small sprayer .do the tires and lawn around the rv .they don;t like the smell but smells good to us .you did crawl under the rv and plug the holes ? peppermint oil is the trick.
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brianandsharons
Anywhere-USA
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Joined: 11/24/2008
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A few years back while in NM, was invaded with desert rat in our diesel truck. Ate the insulation under the hood and made a nice little nest in the engine compartment. Put moth balls in nylon stocking. Worked great, however, when it came time for an oil change, the mechanic didn't care for the smell too much....
I think when we leave here in Nov and start our boondocking experience, I'm going to try pepperment oil....or again the moth balls in nylon stocking.
Good Luck
PS: Kitty kats don't work for me-allergic to them!!
Brian, Sharon & Leah
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bill h
coastal reconquista
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Joined: 08/02/2001
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philhoey wrote:if you have a cat, most rodents will stay away if they smell a cat.
Phil
Finally...........................a use for our cat. All this time, I thought she just took up space and accepted rubbies. 
We camp where kangaroo rats abound, but none in the coach yet. We sit out at night and watch them scurry from one bush to another.
NOTE: Any incorrect spelling is intentional to prevent those annoying popups.
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daireemt
Churchill, Montana
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Thanks for the comments and suggestions so far......
Though we are former pet owners, we now travel sans pets, so getting a cat/dog just to travel with isn't going to be really practical.
Upon a close inspection, I did find where a large chunk of the foam insulation has broken off the underside of the camper, between the axles where the brake wires go up into the subfloor, easily big enough for mice. I refoamed that spot as well as a few others that seem to have appeared in the last few weeks.
I'm still amazed at how quickly the little buggers exploited an opening, and in great numbers. In 3+ years we've had no mice,whether in use or in storage.....and we've been looking closely, after reading others' experience on these forums. (Unfortunately, I'm old enough to know NO R.V. is mouse proof.)
Before venturing out "into the wilds" we plan to try the mint oil concoction as well.....'an ounce of prevention' We hate to give up roughing it (ha ha) out in the forest which led us to ask if others have experince with agressive rodents, etc.
Note to self: Must be more vigilant in checking underside of coach to prevent hitch-hikers.
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traxtermax
UPSTATE NEW YORK
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Joined: 05/26/2004
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Surely there has to be a reasonable way to control mice without allowing an unleashed housecat to go outdoors and wreak havoc on every animal they encounter.
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tessa25
Colorado
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Joined: 05/19/2010
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The key to keeping out mice is to find/fill all holes with caulk. They eat foam. I had a big mouse problem in my new house before my friend spent a week filling all holes inside and out with caulk.
Like the peppermint oil idea. That would smell good.
Palomino Gazelle G150
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