Vermin issue

[SimFoxy]

Hi
Mice and rats are getting in my in laws Bailey Unicorn Valencia, they appear to be getting on the door side, all vents meshed, wire wool round pipes etc, they have got in the drawers near the door which is where wheel arch is and have gnawed the polystyrene over wheel arch and wardrobe door which is wood, we do not know how or where they are getting in, any advice appreciated

 

[otherclive]

Hi
Mice and rats are getting in my in laws Bailey Unicorn Valencia, they appear to be getting on the door side, all vents meshed, wire wool round pipes etc, they have got in the drawers near the door which is where wheel arch is and have gnawed the polystyrene over wheel arch and wardrobe door which is wood, we do not know how or where they are getting in, any advice appreciated

I would put poison bait down throughout the caravan. Are you certain it’s rats as normally you should see their route in, whereas mice can enter via very small holes. Mice will go for bait quite quickly whereas rats are mor suspicious and can take a few days before they accept something new in their domain. The droppings give a clue. Prior to putting the bait down thoroughly go through the caravan to disturb any vermin within it. Remove any obvious nests too. Give it a good clean with disinfectant or bleach. Hopefully seats and bedding haven’t been damaged.

The give some time to see if your actions have worked by daily checks.

Not so mice! How to keep your caravan rodent-free

Not so mice! How to keep your caravan rodent-free

caravanbuyer.org

 

[borderbilly]

If you know any gamekeepers get some rat poison from them, as the over the counter stuff is carp.

 

[SimFoxy]

I would put poison bait down throughout the caravan. Are you certain it’s rats as normally you should see their route in, whereas mice can enter via very small holes. Mice will go for bait quite quickly whereas rats are mor suspicious and can take a few days before they accept something new in their domain. The droppings give a clue. Prior to putting the bait down thoroughly go through the caravan to disturb any vermin within it. Remove any obvious nests too. Give it a good clean with disinfectant or bleach. Hopefully seats and bedding haven’t been damaged.

The give some time to see if your actions have worked by daily checks.

Not so mice! How to keep your caravan rodent-free

Not so mice! How to keep your caravan rodent-free

caravanbuyer.org

Hi
Fully baited throughout, droppings look like rat, dead mice in traps it’s done enough damage though

 

[Dustydog]

Can you identify from the droppings who is the miscreant?

mice droppings are roughly the size and shape of a grain of rice, with a dark brown/black colour. Rat droppings have more of a sausage shape and are much larger, between ¼ and ½ an inch. Rats also defecate in smaller quantities, around 40 times a day, while mice leave behind 50-80.
As Clive said leave bait along the ‘trodden’ path. I suspect you have field mice. They can squeeze through a key hole. But rats as well 🙀
However you explain about parts of the wheel arch being knawed away. Never heard or seen that. Do you have any photos?
The problem with caravans there are lots of air vents on the floor some not as well rodent proof as they could be.
Clive gives good advice so I hope it works .

 

[otherclive]

Hi
Fully baited throughout, droppings look like rat, dead mice in traps it’s done enough damage though

So does it still have the miscreants inside or visiting. If so you may want to engage a pest control specialist not only to rid you of them but to advise on how to stop entry. My only incident was a mouse nest sited on top of a wheel, but caught early thankfully no damage.

 

[Jcloughie]

We had mice in our Valencia. After a while I deduced how they got in. First into the gas box, then climbed up stuff piled inside and into the poorly insulated cavity between the front panel and inside wall. They made a hole in the inside wall and emerged just above the shelf above the side window curtain.

The nibbled the tops of the curtains and went down to build a nest under the bunk. Took a lot of cleaning. Do not underestimate the little so and so’s.

John

 

[Mel]

Mice follow the scent trails of other mice. I have heard, but never tried, that a good dose of Jeye’s Fluid on the steadies and jockey wheel and anywhere else that the little so and so’s climb up can act as a deterrent. Cannot vouch for its efficacy but may be worth a try.
Mel

 

[otherclive]

Mice follow the scent trails of other mice. I have heard, but never tried, that a good dose of Jeye’s Fluid on the steadies and jockey wheel and anywhere else that the little so and so’s climb up can act as a deterrent. Cannot vouch for its efficacy but may be worth a try.
Mel

That’s why I recommend a good internal wash with disinfectant or bleach as it kills bugs and destroys odour trails in the caravan. So putting it outside is a good idea.

 

[DaveA1]

PEPPERMIT OIL. Rat and mice do not like peppermint. Go through your van and find thire droppings, that is usually were they run. Soak cotton wool buds with peppermint and lay them along these runs, Had mice in a ABI van I had they went then cleaned van and the van smelt great for months after. Better than Jays Fluid, Google it.

 

[Buckman]

I used this stuff when rats started nesting on top of my engine block. See https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0995SYXR1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[SimFoxy]

False bottom in drawer where alarm and tracker are, hole inlet there and full mouse nest, they have chewed all wires to alarm so isolated that, cleaned it all today, Zoflora everywhere and peppermint oil, nest removed along with droppings, polystyrene etc, hole plugged with wire wool and copper mesh and peppermint oiled, then placed a thin brick over it, false bottom back but not screwed, hopefully insurance will cover it

 

[SimFoxy]

Thanks all for your replies

 

[Steve1962]

PEPPERMIT OIL. Rat and mice do not like peppermint. Go through your van and find thire droppings, that is usually were they run. Soak cotton wool buds with peppermint and lay them along these runs, Had mice in a ABI van I had they went then cleaned van and the van smelt great for months after. Better than Jays Fluid, Google it.

We use Peppermint oil on cotton wool balls and buds inside the caravan and it works
I also put ant powder around the base of the steadies.

Steve

 

[DaveA1]

False bottom in drawer where alarm and tracker are, hole inlet there and full mouse nest, they have chewed all wires to alarm so isolated that, cleaned it all today, Zoflora everywhere and peppermint oil, nest removed along with droppings, polystyrene etc, hole plugged with wire wool and copper mesh and peppermint oiled, then placed a thin brick over it, false bottom back but not screwed, hopefully insurance will cover it

Bet your Van smells great PS Keep an eye on the rest of your van, make sure none are trapped.

 

[DaveA1]

When my lad decided to take up caravanning, and
he bought his first van, the first we saw of it was when he turned up on our drive with it
It was not in a good condition, so it was a case of "Dad can you help me fix it up".
Carol and our granddaughter dived into the van with thire soft soap. Scrubbing brushes, sponges and water.
All was quite for a while, apart from the sound of brush and sponge.
Then there was a shout from Carol, to Jeanette to pass her "that Bat" you know the table tennis type, you use when playing the ball on the string game on site. Then there was sound akin to to a machine gun, as she chased a poor mouse around the bed box, Bang Bang Bang seemed to go on for ages, then there was a small pause then, a final firmer BANG. "got it" I felt sorry for that mouse.

 

[toad a caravan]

I seem to remember an ultra sonic device being available,the idea being to annoy them from "camping" where they're not wanted.Maybe said device didn't work..

 

[Jcloughie]

I seem to remember an ultra sonic device being available,the idea being to annoy them from "camping" where they're not wanted.Maybe said device didn't work..

I tried one once, you can also get them for cats. I had no luck.

John

 

[Buckman]

I tried one once, you can also get them for cats. I had no luck.

John

The only work if you leave a notice up telling the miscreant that it is harmful to their health! Probably some obscure EU regulation. LOL!

 

[toad a caravan]

I tried one once, you can also get them for cats. I had no luck.

John

A cat may come come in useful 😸

 

[Jcloughie]

A cat may come come in useful 😸

I got one of these so called sonic scarers for cats in order to keep the blighters out of the garden. They are brilliant at creating toilets away from their homes.

We need another dog.

But if the OP could train a cat to look after their van, good luck to them.

John