Beginning 2nd year of PU camping-Dryer sheets?

[stoneman27]

Heard dryer sheets keep mice away...anybody verify that? My first winter of storing my pop up didn't go as I'd hoped. I need tips on this. Came away basically unscathed in that family of mice didn't get the canvas , screens, or plastic. Chewed up curtains some but we were going to make new ones anyhow...lucky! Someone told me about the dryer sheets ...

Stoneman27

[br9]

Do not know if they actually work or not but we had heard of the dryer sheets to. We used them this last year just got back from first weekend of camping since Oct. last year and no sign of mice will use them again

[Rainmaker]

Heard dryer sheets keep mice away...anybody verify that? My first winter of storing my pop up didn't go as I'd hoped. I need tips on this. Came away basically unscathed in that family of mice didn't get the canvas , screens, or plastic. Chewed up curtains some but we were going to make new ones anyhow...lucky! Someone told me about the dryer sheets ...

Stoneman27

   We, my DW & I are coming to the end of our 3rd winter of storing our pu using dryer sheets. We have not opened it up for the 09 season as of 4/6/09 :eyecrazy: The weather in south west Ohio stinks at the moment.
    The 2 years prior I have used dryer sheets and have been lucky  But we do some things along with adding the sheets. We remove all curtains, all cushions, and the mattress. We clean the inside of the camper and remove all the camping goodies and people stuff.
    We live in a country setting with it parked in the grass which I cut as short as my mower lets me before I park it.
    With all that said, do dryer sheets work! Beats me :yikes: All I can say is we have been lucky by doing this for 2 years going on our 3rd :-()
 
Rainmaker

[Homesteader]

Hi everyone, re:dryer sheets.
I use the peppermint extract on cotton balls for years now in the pop up and NEVER have had any mice or anything else.  You just soak the cotton ball until it's full and put them everywhere. I tip the bottle over on the cotton ball like I am dabbing it, but fill it up. It takes about 6-8 bottles to do the whole camper.
It works great and there is a great smell when you open it. I leave the ones under the bed and cushions just in case we pop it down and they get other ideas while it's idol.

[Shredder]

Hi everyone, re:dryer sheets.
I use the peppermint extract on cotton balls for years now in the pop up and NEVER have had any mice or anything else.  You just soak the cotton ball until it's full and put them everywhere. I tip the bottle over on the cotton ball like I am dabbing it, but fill it up. It takes about 6-8 bottles to do the whole camper.
It works great and there is a great smell when you open it. I leave the ones under the bed and cushions just in case we pop it down and they get other ideas while it's idol.

I do the same thing and it works for us. Knock on wood, we have not had mice in our PU to my knowledge. We do take precautions, like remove nesting material and possible food. Our biggest mouse problem is in my outboard boat motor, and in the boat itself. The boat is parked right next to the PU though. I tried moth balls, and they did not work, drier sheets and they made a nest out of them, but in the last two years, peppermint soaked cotton balls seems to have worked......Shredder

[racingmom]

I've used the dryer sheets before, but the best I've found thus far is Irish Spring soap.  My in-laws used to use the dryer sheets, then they opened up one year and the mice had partied hardy over the winter.  What a mess that was!

We heard about the soap, and have used it ever since.  I just cut up the bar into about 3-4 pieces and place them strategically around the camper, then on the outside, place a piece on the top of each wheel.  Haven't had a critter yet.

[erich0521]

Entering 4th yr with the pup.  We've done the dryer sheet thing every yr.  This yr was the 1st with mice.  They must have got in thru the city water door but got stuck inside the cabinet inside the pop up.  They must've been able to get out as no little bodies  

I have come to the conclusion that the best thing is to look for any nook/cranny that they can get in from and try to seal it.  

I've read other posts about the peppermint extract ...might have to try that next yr.

[Topflight]

Another good use for dryer sheets is to put one under your hat or cap.  They do a pretty good job at keeping the gnats and mosquitos away.  At least they work for us when doing gardening and yard work.  We take them camping too.

[jaytee2274]

We, too learned the hard way to be meticulous when storing for the winter.  Another good tip is to stuff any and all openings with steel wool.  They can't (or won't) chew through it.