How To Keep Mice Out Of Your Camper & RV This Winter 🚙

When temperatures drop, mice start searching for warm, sheltered places to nest—making your camper, RV, or stored vehicle the perfect winter hideout. Unfortunately, rodents can cause major damage, including chewed wiring, contaminated food, foul odors, and even expensive electrical repairs.

Whether you’re preparing for winter storage or you use your RV year-round, here’s how to keep mice out of cars in winter, plus the best ways to keep mice out of your camper for winter and protect your investment all season long.

Why Mice Target Campers, RVs & Stored Vehicles in Winter

Mice look for three things: warmth, shelter, and food. Campers and RVs provide all of them—especially when they’ve been sitting untouched for months. Storage yards, wooded areas, and driveways all increase the likelihood of rodent activity.

They can squeeze through gaps as small as a dime, so even a tiny opening is enough to let them in.

1. Seal Every Possible Entry Point

Rodents commonly enter through:

• Gaps around plumbing
• Wiring holes
• Slide-outs and seals
• Roof vents and AC ducts
• Underneath storage compartments

Use a combination of:

• Steel wool + expanding foam (mice can’t chew steel wool)
• Silicone caulk
• Hardware cloth for larger openings

This is one of the most effective ways to keep mice out of a camper during winter storage and avoid surprise infestations when spring returns.

2. Remove All Food & Clean Thoroughly

Even crumbs are enough to attract mice.

Before storing:

• Remove all food—boxed, canned, or bagged
• Clean counters, floors, cabinets, and under appliances
• Vacuum upholstery and vents
• Empty trash and use sealed bins near the RV

This step alone significantly helps keep mice out of your RV in winter because it removes the number one attractant.

3. Use Rodent Repellents That Actually Work

While no deterrent is perfect, combining a few can greatly reduce the risk of mice entering your RV.

Effective options include:

• Peppermint oil cotton balls (refresh every 2–3 weeks)
• Commercial rodent-repellent pouches
• Ultrasonic rodent repellers (use only with power access)
• Dryer sheets (mice dislike the smell)

Place repellents throughout the RV: in cabinets, under beds, inside storage compartments, and near entry points.

4. Set Traps Inside & Outside the RV

Prevention is key, but trapping is an important safety net.

Recommended traps:

• Snap traps
• Enclosed bait stations (safer for kids and pets)
• Glue boards (only in controlled interior areas)

Put traps:

• Near suspected entry points
• Under sinks
• Inside lower cabinets
• Under furniture

Checking traps often—especially in the first few weeks of storage—helps you catch activity before it becomes a bigger issue.

5. Elevate & Protect the Tires

Mice often climb tires and jacks to enter your RV. You can block access by using:

• Tire covers
• Metal rodent guards
• Plastic tire skirts
• RV jack pads that reduce ground contact

Making it harder for rodents to climb your tires directly helps keep mice out of your camper for winter when outdoor storage conditions are unavoidable.

6. Maintain a Tight, Weatherproof Seal

Inspect and tighten:

• Door weatherstripping
• Slide-out gaskets
• Window seals
• Storage compartment latches

If you’re wondering how to keep mice out of camper for winter or how to keep mice out of a camper during winter storage, proper sealing is often the missing step. Cold drafts aren’t the only thing that slip through those cracks.

7. Reduce Clutter Around the RV

Outdoor clutter becomes a rodent playground.

Keep the surrounding area clear of:

• Wood piles
• Leaf piles
• Stored items under the RV
• Tall grass

A clean space around your camper gives mice fewer hiding spots and reduces the chance they’ll approach your RV in the first place.

8. Inspect Your Camper Throughout the Winter

Even with the best prevention, it’s smart to check your RV every few weeks.

Look for:

• Droppings
• Gnaw marks
• Nesting materials
• Noises or odors
• Food packaging damage

Catching a problem early makes treatment faster, cheaper, and less stressful.

Winter Rodent Protection: When to Call a Professional

If you’ve tried everything and still find mice—or if you want guaranteed protection—call the experts at Lavery Pest Control.

We offer:

• Rodent inspections
• Entry-point sealing
• Safe trapping solutions
• Preventative rodent protection plans

Professional treatment is especially recommended if you store your RV outdoors or have had repeat winter rodent activity in the past.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to keep mice out of your camper for winter and how to keep mice out of RV in winter isn’t just about comfort—it prevents costly repairs and keeps your investment protected. By sealing entry points, removing food, setting traps, and storing your RV strategically, you’ll dramatically reduce the risk of winter rodent problems.

And if you ever need help, Lavery Pest Control has your back with fast, effective rodent prevention—so you can feel confident that your camper or RV is protected all winter long.