RVers employ a variety of methods to keep mice and other rodents away from their RVs. They may claim that because they put Bounce dryer sheets in their RV’s storage compartments and other nooks and crannies that they never have a rodent problem. Unfortunately, they never have any real evidence to back up their claims.
The problem is, they may not have had a problem anyway without the sheets. And while some RVers swear this technique works, others report the creatures just use the sheets to make their nests.
Another popular method of keeping rodents away is by placing Irish Spring soap in areas where the creatures might inhabit. Some RVers swear this works. Alas, others say it does no good at all. Again, nobody ever has any evidence.
Until now. Finally, someone has conducted a scientific test to see if Irish Spring really does keep rodents away, in this case rats. Watch this short video and, with a hidden camera placed in a barn near some appetizing treats, see if the Irish Spring right next to it sends the creatures scurrying away.
Fascinating …
Thanks to Don and Carol C. from Fairbanks, Alaska, for telling us about this video.
##RVT957
I used to use Irish Spring Soap in a previous trailer, and found exactly what the video showed. The mice ate the soap and defecated on it, and around it. This present 5th wheel trailer, I bought brand new in 2017, and I use Lavender wash crystals, and place them in several aluminum individual pie plates throughout the trailer, and scatter downy sheets throughout the trailer, on the floor, chairs, bed couch. I have never had a problem since, and when I check the trailer at least once a month, when it is in storage, it does smell nice. Thanks
Wood Rats chewing through fuel lines. HELP! Our towing and repair bills are ridiculous. Not the first time. Anybody found something to prevent them getting under the hood.
We keep hood up 24/7 with lights shining bright.
Ready to throw in towel and give up RVing.
When I lived in South America many years ago, I was the only guy anyone knew who didn’t have cockroaches in his apartment. People were amazed. No sprays, no traps. My secret? I kept the place scrupulously clean. Not that it applies to mice, but I found it interesting.
I put Irish Spring in a closet in my basement. The mice are EATING IT!!!!
does it kill them?
Thank you very much for your help. What about mint? I buy mint anti rodent bags every year for the campers. Do you have findings in mint? Thank you
Hi, Geri. Here’s a link to the article from Nanci Dixon that we had in last week’s newsletter about mint: https://www.rvtravel.com/rodentsrv960/ 🙂 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Irish Spring never worked for us.
Irish spring Formula appears to have changed in the last few years. Rodents did not eat it before. Do not use it any more
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No soap— I have had a very busy trap line going for 8 years- no otter, beaver or mink- Jiffy PB. slathered over those suckers- Get 5 or 6 and roast them over the barbee- Yummy- Montana pork-
we have always used cab fresh pick up at local tractor supply store
I found the perfect solution to mice! I store my trailer in a 30X50 building and mice have always been a problem. About a month ago I found a 4 foot snake skin going into the storage bin. Last week I was in the building and out crawled a 4.5 foot black rat snake. No more mice!!
Sure beats useless bars of soap.
Another urban RV myth. Dryer sheet, Irish spring, all baloney. For every one that says it does, the ones that get chewed apart tell you the others just didn’t have a mouse problem in that particular season. To think otherwise defies logic. Some nice in some states don’t like the taste, lol.
The only proven scent that for what ever reason keeps them away is lion urine. Albeit I’m not headed to the zoo to try and collect Some! If somebody, wanted to synthesize the repellent compound in that stuff, they just reinvented the mouse trap.
But, bad news, they won’t, you know why, guess how much is spent worldwide on mouse control. It’s billions.
Irish Spring didn’t work for us either. Had them in the floor ducts, behind the cabinets and in the basement compartments. Ended up using some traps. Sticky traps worked the best but it was a last resort. 🙁
If you keep it in a covered area, look into the 5 gal. Bucket traps. Fill it with RV antifreeze, that stuff gets em drunk, then they drown. More humane, swim in booze, then pass out and drown. 🙂
We tried Irish Spring – didn’t work, have a video just like the one here….also tried Fresh Cab, Bounce, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, lemon soap, coyote urine (yikes! it stinks!), traps baited with peanut butter or cheese or bacon, electronic traps, electronic repellers, you name it we tried it. The only thing that has helped (but not cured) is poison bait (sorry folks, had to do it) and sticky traps….
Coyote urine can’t hold a candle to Lion urine. But given the choice, I’d tackle the former!
I follow the mouse trap Monday gentleman . He is good for debunking myths. Things I’ve tried are ultra sonic ,fresh cab , moth balls, Irish spring . None of them worked for me . I’m sure theirs people that say they work for them. That’s good everyone needs something to believe in .
Exactly, Jeff. Head to the zoo, let me know how you make out dude!
I tried the Irish Spring method to repel rodents and in a couple of weeks I discovered rodent teeth marks on the bars.
At least the basement smelled kind of nice!