The beautiful spring blossoms are a lovely reminder that camping season is about to be in full swing. Unfortunately, as you dive into the camper that has been resting all winter, there is a decent chance you may find some signs that mice have been there. Before you set off for your first camping trip of the season, you will need to know how to get rid of mice in a camper:
- Remove the food source
- Extract the Mice
- Take Care of Entry Points
Remove the Food Source
Getting rid of mice efficiently starts with the food source. Campers are notorious for having cracks, crevices and voids where food can fall. This includes chip crumbles that fell between the couch cushions =as well as round candies that rolled into all the hard to reach places. Make sure you dive in and pull apart the removable elements for a thorough cleaning.
Keep in mind that it may not only be your left over food you need to hunt down. Mice may have stockpiled food in the camper that they scavenged from other areas.
Extract the mice
Once you have eliminated the food source, it is time to combat the mice directly. There are many tools at your disposal. Just choose what suits your style the best out of:
- traps
- poison baits
- tracking powders
Keep in mind that each one has its pros and cons. Using a combination of tools will increase your chances of success.
Traps
There are plenty of options when it comes to trapping mice:
- sticky traps can typically fit into low-profile places that would inhibit mechanical traps. You can obtain plain glue trays or glue boards or scented/pre-baited traps.
- snap traps are the most well-known trap when it comes to mice, but there are a wide-variety of options within this option. Whatever you choose, ensure the trap has something appealing for the mouse to eat such as peanut butter. Also, remember that mice tend to run edges, so place the trap against walls. In conjunction with this, ensure the trap trigger is accessible from both directions.
- live traps can be a little more time consuming, but can be just as effective with the right technique. If you are relying mainly on a catch and release program, ensure you have blocked off entry points before letting the mice free.
- multicatch traps can be a little more difficult to get ideal placement due to their larger size. However, they can be beneficial in circumstances with fewer opportunities to check them.
Poison Bait
Poison bait can be a relatively quick option for taking care of multiple mice especially in situations that hinder trapping. Most rodent poisons that are available for purchase come in ready to use bait stations. If you end up using a loose bait, ensure that it is still secured inside of a locked, tamper-resistant container. Despite it’s ease of use, make sure the mice do not have another option for adequate food supply. There is no reason to go eat bait if their food supply is close at hand and plentiful. In addition, consider the possible need for hunting down a mouse corpse. Some baits are more prone to this than others, but it is always worth considering.
Tracking Powder
Tracking powder is a wonderful tool to combine with others. It is not uncommon for individuals to kill a handful of mice and have one or more that evade eviction. Tracking powder can be a great tool to find out where they are going. With tracking powder there are two basic options:
- poisonous tracking powder is something that can be placed in hard to access voids or runways. When the mice pass through it, it will stick to them. The rodent ingests the poison during self-grooming.
- non-poisonous tracking powder can be something as simple as flour. The thinner it is spread on a surface, the more effective it will be. The idea is to have something to record where the mice are traveling. This info will provide details of missed entry points, mouse shelter, food sources, where to set traps, etc.
Whether using a bait or tracking powder, always be sure to follow the instructions on the label. This will guide you in correct placement for safe and effective results.
Inspect for entry points so you have a much less chance of needing to know how to get rid of mice in a camper again. A camper isn’t designed to be completely sealed off, but look for anything such as holes or gaps that have developed, widened, or are unnecessary.
With any mouse situation whether in your camper, home, or yard, don’t hesitate to get a professional’s eyes on the situation. Rove’s rodent experts are trained to find the fast track to getting your life rodent free. Call today for an inspection or quote.