Mischievous Mice
We are concerned about rodent (mice) control in our type A coach and wonder whether there are any solutions that are acceptable to the human senses?
John Watts, F364006
Ellington, Connecticut
We have a 2002 32-foot Bounder type A coach. Last winter while it was in storage, a family of mice took up residence and caused considerable mess and damage. They left droppings and urine stains throughout the living and bathroom areas as well as soiling and thus rendering worthless the mattress of the sofa bed. I have not been able to locate any place of entry, although I know that mice can get in through the tiniest of openings.
Do you or any readers have experience with this motorhome model and know of any particular spots to check and seal up?
We really would like to avoid a repeat of last winter’s experience this year.
Don & Eileen Glucksman, F313143
Elbert, Colorado
Regarding your concerns about mice or other rodents in your motorhome, one option is to place antistatic dryer sheets in the heater ducts to keep mice out. The little rodents don’t like the fragrance.
But really that’s just a stop-gap solution. You need to find the source of the problem. To do this, take a look at where the motorhome is parked. Is it parked near the woods or a woodpile? If so, this may foster an excessive mouse population in the nearby area.
If your coach is parked at a conventional home base on a hard, smooth surface, start by searching for mouse entry points in the motorhome’s underbelly and compartment bays. To do this, I’d suggest you use a mechanic’s creeper and a strong 12-volt battery-powered light. Carefully inspect the area and seal any openings with universal caulking material.
Look at all the places where plumbing, such as LP-gas tubing/pipes, fresh water tank plumbing, 120-volt-AC electrical power cable, phone, engine cover, vents, etc., enter the body. Any place light from the outside could be seen from the inside should be sealed.
Finally, consider the potency of a few mothballs in secure mesh bags placed strategically about your motorhome.
Where Are All The Gas Burners?
Why doesn’t someone come out with a gas-burning version of a hydronic heating system, such as the Aqua-Hot? Why are these devices offered only to diesel motorhome owners? Correct me if I am wrong, but I seem to recall that the Volkswagen Beetle and the Chevrolet Corvair had gasoline-burning passenger compartment heaters. These devices used fuel from the main gas tank and produced a lot of heat and in a hurry. This was necessary back then, because there was no easy way to get great amounts of heat “piped” into the passenger compartment from their air-cooled engines. Gasoline was the only good answer. Aren’t there gasoline cookstoves and lanterns for campers?
Wayne Scott, F382745
Paris, Texas
Camping stoves and lanterns that use “white gas” or Coleman fuel are still sold, but almost all new camping appliances “” stoves, lanterns, and barbecues “” use LP gas. It’s much safer fire-wise and much less toxic. White gas containers can leak, which can really be a downer if your sleeping bag becomes soaked. I would say the same goes with regard to gas heaters in a motorhome. LP gas is far safer, and its hardware is probably much cheaper to produce.