Dear Dave,
I sent you a message via RV Travel a few days ago about holes through the frame and rodent access to the enclosed belly through those holes.
After spotting a Walt Disney-cute, but wholly unwanted, field mouse inside the cabin, the above issue has taken a higher priority. Near as I can determine, the mouse gained access via the enclosed belly. S/he came up through the large opening under our shower and through a large cutout on the shower base where the bathroom vanity piping connects above the floor but under the shower.
The shower base cutout is not easily accessible due to narrow access between the two fixtures. Likewise, it’s near impossible to reach via the access plate through the plumbing connections under the base. Best I could do was to shove an entire bag of course steel wool around the pipes and compressed in place between the two fixtures.
Large hole in frame lets rodents in
But back to that large hole through the frame (see below). The enclosed screw is 1.5” in diameter. I cleaned the frame around the hole with acetone.
I found this drywall patch at our local hardware store (see below). In addition to the nylon mesh, there is a layer of aluminum mesh, all sticky with adhesive. Using a 1.5” bottle cap I outlined a circle – offset to accommodate the space between the screw and the cogged support rod. I used scissors to cut in from the edge and cut out the circle. Each 45 degrees, I made a tiny snip through the opening edge to allow the aluminum to act as a wiper.
Here is the applied patch (see below). I don’t trust an indoor-rated adhesive to last long stuck to painted steel. After this photo was taken I smeared a fair amount of metal-rated silicon sealant through and over the mesh around the hole.
May be temporary solution, but better than alternative
While I am pretty sure this mesh will hold for the near term, I don’t know if it will survive slide room retraction in about six weeks when we pack up and head back to Michigan. And if it does survive, I have no idea if it will survive the Texas summer or the slide room extension next fall. While crawling under a slide on crushed rock is less than pleasant, if need be, I will scrape off the old and apply a new patch next fall. It is a lot less work than the alternative.
Sounds like your RV Show tour was well-received. —Jim
Dear Jim,
Thanks for the follow-up. This looks like a great fix to keep Mickey back at “The Happiest Place on Earth”!
I think you are correct in the assumption that it might not stay attached during the trip home and a few extensions and retractions of the slide room. However, you might try some J-B Weld for steel around the perimeter or even EternaBond®. I think the steel frame rail is too thick to try attaching screws, so you might need to periodically reattach the mesh. But it looks like a good idea.
You might also enjoy this from Dave
Do ultrasonic mice deterrents work?
Dear Dave,
I saw your response about keeping mice out by sealing up access points and using scent deterrents. I was wondering if you or any of your readers had experience with those ultrasonic devices that can go under the hood that are supposed to keep rodents and other critters away? Are they just a scam? Do they work in specific but limited instances? We haven’t had a problem yet but want to keep it that way. (We’ve only been full-time RVing for a year.) Thanks in advance! —Tim, 2024 Leisure Travel Vans Unity RL
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I have also seen magnetic sheet being used for the same purpose. They are sold at box stores for covering a heating vent.
I did a similar fix but used puck board and riveted it to the frame. 10 years ago.
1/4 inch hardware cloth would be a better idea than fiberglass. A few spots of quick setting epoxy to hold it in place.
I used it around water line penetrations and then covered with spray foam. No way they are going to chew through it.
Thank you for passing this along, Dave! Our solution (barn cats) only works when the RV is home. Have a great week and safe travels!