How to Keep Mice Out of Camper or RV: A Complete Guide

If you’ve found your way to this blog, chances are that you’ve already found the mess —mouse droppings in your camper, shredded insulation, or worse, chewed wiring — and are desperate to keep it from happening again.

The good news is you’re not alone. The bad news is no one can seemingly agree on a solution.

From mothballs and Irish Spring soap to ultrasonic repellents and even wolf urine, the internet is full of conflicting advice. That’s why, in this guide, we’ll be looking at it all, breaking down what preventative measures you can trust, and providing a plan to keep your camper or van mouse free.

Table of Contents:

• Why You Need to Mouse-Proof Your Camper
• How Do Mice Get Into Your Camper
• 7 Steps to Keep Mice Out of Your Camper
• Best Long-Term Mouse Solution

Why You Need to Mouse-Proof Your Camper or RV

On average, RV owners only use their RV 30 days a year. That means that for over 90 percent of the time, their camper or RV is either parked outside or sitting in storage. Without proper preventive measures, that makes them ideal hideaways for mice in search of warmth and shelter, particularly during the winter months.

Risks of Rodent Damage

• Chewed wires can disable your engine, brakes, or generator
• Ruined insulation and upholstery from nesting
• Urine and droppings that cause stains, foul smells, and potential health hazards
• Contaminated food and water tanks
• Costly repairs that may not be covered by insurance

How Do Mice Get into Your Camper or RV?

Even a brand-new camper isn’t immune to a rodent infestation. Mice can squeeze through holes as small as ¼ inch, leap over a foot in the air, climb tires, jacks, and cords with ease.

Common Entry Points:

• Gaps around pipes, vents, or slide-outs
• Cracks near wheel wells or undercarriage
• Entry points near utility hookups (electrical, water, sewage)
• Open windows, roof vents, or damaged seals
• Underside access when stored without a barrier

How to Keep Mice Out of Camper: 7 Proven Steps

1. Choose the Right Storage Location

It should go without saying, but where you park your camper matters. The driveway or a patch of land may be cheap and convenient, but it’s highly exposed. If possible, look to store your vehicle inside, whether that’s in a garage or at specialty storage facility. At the very least, do your best to move your camper away from known or obvious rodent hotspots.

Tip: Even indoor storage can be at risk for rodent damage. Follow many of the following instructions to ensure that your garage or storage unit is fit to keep rodents at bay.

2. Remove All Attractants

Mice will go to great lengths to find food, shelter, and nesting materials — don’t make it easy on them. Always make sure to remove all food and dry goods from cabinets when putting your camper into storage. Sweep up all crumbs and debris. Wipe up all surfaces. And remove all trash. In short, don’t leave anything that might taste or smell attractive to a mouse.

Tip: It’s not just human food — make sure all pet food is removed or stored in air-tight containers.

3. Seal Up Every Gap and Crack

This is easily the most laborious step, but it’s absolutely critical. And don’t stop at the obvious defects in the doorways and windows — a large vehicle has many tiny openings. Go through every inch of your vehicle to find possible entry points. Foam spray can be a simple and effective solution but know that some mice are committed enough to chew right through it. Steel wool can be a stronger deterrent.

Tip: Look inside, outside, and … underneath. Many of the most vulnerable parts of your camper are under the vehicle. Don’t be afraid to crawl around down there.

4. Use Scent Deterrents — But Don’t Rely on Them

Scent deterrents like peppermint oil, dryer sheets, and mothballs are often the most common rodent prevention suggestions. And they’re not without merit. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that due to a mouse’s strong sense of smell, certain odors might dissuade it from entering your vehicle — might. While they can work, their effectiveness is limited, as the odors can fade quickly and determined rodents may ignore them altogether.

Tip: Replace and rotate scents frequently to prevent mice from adapting and always combine with physical prevention methods.

5. Set Mouse Traps — As a Fallback

Once a mouse gets into your camper, there is no asking it nicely to leave. More often than not, you will need to rely on traps to capture the mice and remove them from the area. But what type of trap you use, where you put it, and how you bait it all matter. We recommend the classic snap trap with a small nib of peanut butter, but you can check out our full guide to setting traps to see what’s best for you.

Tip: Avoid poisons at all costs. Not only are they dangerous to your pets and the environment but they often cause the mice to go off and die in hard-to-reach corners of your vehicle.

6. Install a Box-Kat Mouse Barrier

There is only one sure-fire way to keep mice from getting into your camper: Prevent them from ever reaching it.

The Box-Kat mouse barrier is an easy, set-it-and-forget-it solution that stops mice before they ever become a problem. It is a physical barrier that adapts to uneven surfaces to surround the undercarriage of your camper or RV. Mice can’t climb over it. They can’t fit underneath it. And they can’t chew through it.

Tip: For outdoor use, simple anchors such as gallon jugs of water, sandbags, or cinder blocks we’ll keep the Box-Kat in place even during inclement weather.

7. Always Be Checking In

Out of sight, out of mind is not a strategy when it comes to rodent prevention. If you are storing your camper or van for more than a week or two, make it a habit to inspect if for signs of a rodent infestation:

• Droppings
• Strange odors
• Nesting debris
• Gnaw marks
• Tracks

Tip: Running your engine, playing the radio, or even taking your camper for a quick spin can all help deter mice from making a home in your vehicle.

Bonus Tips for Ongoing Protection

• Inspect tire-to-ground contact points: Consider placing metal or plastic guards under tires to make climbing more difficult for rodents.
• Use LED lights or motion sensors: A well-lit storage area can help deter mice and other critters.
• Create noise or vibration: Devices that emit subtle vibration or ultrasonic waves can add a layer of deterrence in tight storage spaces.
• Remove bedding, pillows, and linens: Anything soft and warm is nesting material for mice. Store these items elsewhere.
• Elevate the camper slightly: Using jacks or lifts to raise the frame off the ground can help reduce access points.
• Keep the area around your camper clean: Sweep away leaves, food scraps, or debris that could attract rodents.

Why the Box-Kat Mouse Barrier Is the Best Long-Term Solution

Chemical deterrents fade. Traps catch mice after they’re inside. But the Box-Kat stops the problem at the source by making your camper physically inaccessible. The Box-Kat is:

• Non-toxic and safe around kids and pets
• Weatherproof and reusable
• Backed by a patented design
• Available in different sizes for campers, trailers, RVs, and daily drivers

If you’re serious about mouse-proofing, Box-Kat should be your first line of defense.

A Little Prep Goes a Long Way

Keeping mice out of your camper takes a mix of common sense, regular maintenance, and the right tools. And while no method is foolproof, combining the strategies above — especially installing a Box-Kat mouse barrier — will give you the best chance at a pest-free RV experience.