Protecting Pots: Avoiding Mice In Camp

Mice can be a real problem when camping. They can carry diseases, damage your equipment, and even eat your food. To protect your pots and pans, you should keep your campsite clean and store your food in sealed containers. You can also try using deterrents like peppermint oil or Irish Spring soap, although some campers have reported that these methods are ineffective. If you're storing your camping equipment for a long period, make sure to give it a thorough cleaning before putting it away, as mice are attracted to leftover food and crumbs.

Block holes from the inside

Blocking holes from the inside is the best way to keep mice out of your camper. It is best done before packing up the RV and immediately after purchase. You need to be able to see all possible entry points. This will stop them from getting into your living space, but it won't stop them from getting into your walls.

If their head can fit through a hole, they can get their body through. Pay special attention to where pipes come into your rig. Plumbing lines are often an entry point.

Seek out every gap larger than half the size of a dime and fill it. Expanding foam works great. There's a spray foam called Great Stuff that can be used lightly. If you want extra protection, add steel wool first, then fill it with foam. Legend has it that mice won't chew through steel wool, but some people have seen them do it.

Depending on the locations and sizes of the potential entry points, you could also use a caulking product for the gaps and cracks.

Block holes from the outside

To block holes from the outside, you can use expanding foam, caulking, or foil tape. If you want extra protection, add steel wool first, then fill it with foam. Mice are deterred by steel wool, but they can chew through it. However, they won't chew through it if they don't know what's on the other side.

If you're using a motorhome, it can be difficult to get to most areas underneath that may serve as entry points. With some trailers, it's easy to see entry points where utilities are going in. Don't forget to check your seals and seams on your slide-out. Cover any vent holes with wire mesh.

Make sheet metal tubes

To protect pots and pans in a camp from mice, one can make sheet metal tubes to store the cookware in. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make sheet metal tubes:

First, determine the dimensions of the tube you require, including the wall thickness, outer diameter, and inner diameter. The wall thickness of the tube will remain mostly consistent throughout the drawing process, so start with the thickness you want to end up with.

Next, calculate the circumference of the tube by multiplying pi (3.14) by the outer diameter. This will give you the minimum width of the blank (sheet metal) required to make the tube. For a tighter seam and a more reasonable length, start with a blank width that is slightly larger than the calculated circumference. The length of the blank should be at least as long as the final desired length of the tube, plus some extra for the tang (the part used to draw the tube).

Cut the end of the tube to be drawn at a broad taper, ensuring that the sides of the strip are parallel. You can also cut a small piece of brass or silver wire and solder it to the end of the blank, which will serve as a drawing tang. This way, you won't have to use some of your sheet metal for the tang, reducing waste.

Now, it's time to shape the tube. You can use a wooden stump and a forging peen or the peen of a bench hammer to create a groove or dent in the end-grain of the wood, shaping the tube into that groove. Tap the blank into the groove using the hammer, rolling it sideways and back and forth to form the metal around the hammer and into the groove. First, shape it into a "U," and then file down the length of the blank to even up both sides.

Continue hammering at a 45-degree angle to the edge of the trough, gently tapping and rolling the blank back and forth. The cross-section of the tube will start to resemble a pear or teardrop shape. Tap it to make it more round, and then you can begin drawing it through a drawplate.

For tubes with a diameter of about five or six millimeters or less, you can draw them by hand. However, for larger diameters or thicker walls, it is preferable to use a draw bench for more force. Draw the tube through the drawplate until it is smooth and round.

At this point, you can inject a watery flux solution inside the tube and anneal it to release any stresses. Rinse with hot water to remove flux residues, and then draw it through the last hole in the drawplate to tighten the seam.

Finally, flux the interior and exterior of the tube and solder it if it's going to be a soldered joint. Continue drawing the tube further until you reach the desired outer diameter.

Making sheet metal tubes requires some expertise, experience, and the right tools. The process described above is a manual method for creating tubes, but there are also industrial processes like roll forming that can produce tubes with precise guidelines for various applications.

Store food properly

Mice are attracted to food, so it's important to store food properly to prevent mice from invading your camp. Here are some tips to help you keep your food safe and secure:

• Keep your food in airtight containers: Use containers made of sturdy materials such as metal or thick plastic that mice cannot chew through. Make sure the lids seal tightly to prevent any food smells from escaping.
• Hang your food: If possible, hang your food from a tree branch or pole that is at least 10 feet (3 meters) off the ground and 4 feet (1.2 meters) away from the tree trunk. Use a sturdy rope or cord to secure the food bag.
• Store food in a vehicle: If you are camping near your vehicle, store your food inside the car, van, or RV. Make sure all windows and doors are closed tightly, and do not leave any food visible through the windows.
• Use a bear canister: If you are camping in an area with bears, a bear-resistant food canister is an effective way to protect your food from both bears and mice.
• Clean up after meals: Always clean your campsite thoroughly after cooking and eating. Do not leave any food scraps or crumbs unattended. Wash your dishes and utensils immediately, and do not leave any dirty dishes in your campsite.
• Avoid scented toiletries: Mice are attracted to strong scents, so avoid using scented soaps, shampoos, or deodorants. Opt for unscented products or natural alternatives.
• Store food away from your campsite: Do not keep food in your tent or sleeping area. Store it in a separate area, preferably suspended off the ground, to reduce the risk of attracting mice.
• Use a food hammock: A food hammock is a specially designed hanging storage system for food and trash. It keeps your food off the ground and away from mice and other animals.
• Keep a clean campsite: Do not leave any trash or food scraps lying around your campsite. Dispose of all garbage properly, and do not leave any food packaging or containers unattended.

Use peppermint oil-soaked cotton balls

If you're camping in an area with mice, you may want to take steps to protect your pots and pans from these unwanted visitors. One way to do this is by using peppermint oil-soaked cotton balls. Here's how:

Step 1: Select Your Peppermint Oil

Choose a highly concentrated peppermint oil for the best results. Look for 100% pure peppermint oil or specialised peppermint-based mice repellent.

Step 2: Prepare the Cotton Balls

Soak the cotton balls generously in the peppermint oil. Ensure they are thoroughly soaked so that the strong peppermint scent lasts longer.

Step 3: Place the Cotton Balls Strategically

Place the peppermint-soaked cotton balls in areas where mice might try to enter your camp or access your pots and pans. Look for small holes or cracks in the walls, floors, or skirting boards near your cooking area. Stuff the peppermint-soaked cotton balls into these crevices to create a strong peppermint barrier.

Step 4: Regularly Replenish the Cotton Balls

The scent of peppermint oil needs to remain potent to effectively deter mice. Replace the cotton balls every few days, or when the scent starts to fade, to maintain a strong peppermint presence.

Using peppermint oil is a natural way to repel mice without causing them harm. The strong minty scent is unpleasant to their sensitive noses, encouraging them to stay away. Additionally, peppermint oil can mask the smell of food, making your cooking area less appealing to hungry mice.

You can also use peppermint oil in combination with other methods, such as sealing cracks and crevices with steel wool, maintaining a clean camp, and storing food securely. By incorporating peppermint oil-soaked cotton balls into your camping setup, you can help keep mice at bay and protect your pots and pans from unwanted visitors.

Frequently asked questions