SOLO VAN LIFE - What NOBODY talks about! 

Instead of cotton balls try filling the gaps with steel wool. They can't chew through it. Another great video :)

Please don't apologize for telling us the other side of the story. It needs to be told. I have watched the Nomad videos for years, and they were not telling the other side of their story. Because of that, i just knew that is what i wanted to do I even bought a van. I have watched people sell their homes to go all out being a nomad and boondocking. To find out it's not their cut of tea. That they were not told the downside and the expense. Plus, trying to find a place to park for the night. Unless you have tons of money, you can't afford to pay the fee every night at State and National parks. Then they don't have a home to go back to or they get sick and etc. I was one of them. Until finally realizing I'm not a loner and I had more fear of just parking out in the woods all alone. Plus, I didn't realize how expensive it gets, not counting the breakdowns in the middle of nowhere. Getting sick and trying to find a place to stay while you recoup from being sick. Getting a bath, dumping your waste, and so on. Place to wash your clothes. Not enough space to keep enough food. Things to keep cold. So on so on

Owning a cat is an effective way to deter mice from your home. Additionally, having a cat can provide companionship and comfort.

NOPE, its probably the same mouse. I have RV'd for many years and unless you drive that mouse over a mile away from your campsite, that mouse will return to your home or RV every single time.

My mom swears by the electronic little gadgets you plug in and it emits a sound they don't like. Ever since she started using them she hasn't had a problem. She just uses one in each area of the house. Amazon sells like 6 for $30.

Steel Wool in holes rather than cotton... You're providing all of their nest material, which I'm sure they appreciate. Keep at it!

Good tip is to not keep trash in your van overnight, don’t leave dirty dishes in your sink, ventilate all food smells out your van and do not leave doors open for any period of time unless entering or exiting. If there’s no holes or other gainful entry points you shouldn’t have any problems.

I really appreciate that you're letting them go instead of exterminating them. They're just trying to survive like the rest of us. That's kind.

My goodness! With the week you had, my camping days would be over. Mice, a huge spider and a snake. It would have been much too much for this city girl. You are so brave..

You never have just one mouse. They breed wholesale once they get cosy. We had a huge rat land on our van and we panicked when it started scratching to get in. We drove off through the night to be rid of it. We only hoped it had wings! You can get a pest deterrent device. They can hear it and we cant but it keeps them away. Van life is hard. We done 3 years and half and winter has been tough here in the UK. Just finding safe and legal park ups is stressful some days and nights without the whole utilities thing. People dont see the tired, sleepless us. At least we dont have snakes to worry about! Nice to see someone being real.

Put steel wool in those cracks to keep the mouse actually out of that. Use peppermint if you must, but I've seen mice. Eat peppermint, so doubtful that it really works. Also, you're just letting the mouse. Go in a place where he's gonna come right back.. You must go at least a mile away from your home. In order to be able to make sure that that particular mouse doesn't make it back into your van.

Note to self…. Forget about van life 😂😂😂. But seriously thanks so much for sharing this not so glamorous side of van life. You are appreciated

Lights under your van and in your engine compartment. They also make sound machines only they can hear they don't like. All food needs to be in containers. I keep my bread in the refrigerator it last longer and they can't get to it.

My advice just go to Bunnings and get a tube of gap filler. Carefully go through the whole interior and fill in any gaps, no matter how harmless the gaps look.

I freaked when I saw the huntsman. I hate those things they scare the life out of me. So glad you are safe and didn't have to burn the van down.

One of the nomads that I follow installed flashing lights on the bottom of their rig to deter mice. It's worked for him so far. Might be something worth looking into.

Appreciate your sharing. Total eye opener. Peace, Good Vibes & safe travels

We had a huntsman spider drop on hubby's lap while driving , he calmly pulled over and delt with it. So glad I wasnt driving I would scream and panick and cause an accident. Since them its my priority to keep us spider free.😂

I’m no spring chicken and watching any RV life vids remind me how difficult it really is. Was never full time. I can only imagine. 😳

Your post popped up in my list today, and I'm glad it did! I enjoyed your explanation of the realities of solo van life. It must be scary at times on your own. We have an ultrasonic mouse repeller in our loft as we had problems with the little darlings when we moved here. It is quiet, and we don't notice it at all, but it has kept the rodents out of the house. It's human and pet safe. I'm not sure how much electricity it uses, though. Best wishes from the UK.

You have me good chuckle when you left the 2nd mouse out, and jumped out of your skin when it ran out. Enjoy this video, I have subscribed now, I Al 79 years old now living in the Florida Panhandle, with no back and very little legs…So I live my live by proxy letting y’all have the adventures.👍🏼👍🏼

You are very brave Sue , good luck with your next adventure 🥰🥰

Can you adopt a cat? That should keep the rodents away.

Your cozy nest is so inviting that you had quite an interlude with nature's also cold, hungry creatures! As I write this, I'm in a big dust storm with big sideways gales and drops! Glad that you have hookups, tanks, built ins, recycling bins and that you're only solo for part of the time to make together time special, true gifts! Peanut butter and live traps work magic. Grateful hug coming your way! 🚐☕️🐁💜🫂🕉🕊

Yes. Steel wool everywhere u see an opening. I used to have a cabin in the mountains and someone told me about the steel wool and I put it everywhere there were openings, under bathroom and kitchen sinks, etc. Never saw a mouse or mouse droppings. It works ! But of course, if your van door remains open, they will get in !

Thanks for making it real for us.😮

Those mice traps look interesting. Your experiences remind me that we need to check the motorhome for any openings/holes where mice could get in. Something to ponder……it might be useful to make up some dry premixes for bread, pancakes, scones etc. and put them in zip lock bags, then you just have to add the liquid to make them up when there is not much food left. Also Deb mashed potatoes can be useful in a pinch. Happy travelling.

Hi from New Zealand. Thank you x

Very interesting! Thank you, nice video

peppermint spray bottle with some water mixture. Spray everything❤

WOW, this was Really an interesting video! Dealing with things like that lets u know about the pitfalls in Van, RV, or Travel Trailer Life. This has me rethinking ownership! Thanks. 👍💯

Thanks for sharing your real life🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Oh you have me in tears here.......... you are telling my story when I am camping/traveling in my van!!

Thank you for sharing 😊

Sue, absolutely loved your video. So funny and yet so real. We have experienced all those things in our travels.

You gave me a good laugh this morning, especially when you said you were releasing the mouse in the town. Glad to hear you were the last solo being left in the van.

Great video Sue. Thank you

I did this for two years in 2010 and 2015, you then knew what a mobile homeless life it was.

It's good to know the other side of van life because its reality... its all interesting to know, so thank you for this video

I feel ypu pain! And laugh through the whe video..thanks for sharing real life😅

Watching from Adelaide South Australia. Your video was recommended, great video.

Love that you use 'Have a heart' traps

Loved the video Sue - I laughed out loud when you kicked the trap, it sprinted out and you let out a yell 😂

The snake would be the end of me. The spider, ❤too. You are a brave lady.

Hi , came across your video. Great content , keeping it real . New subscriber, wishing you all the best on your travels.

Great vid!

omg - that was hilarious - LOL Glad you survived!

Great video. Hugs. Safe travels.

14:13 😂😂😂 this was the first video I ever watched of yours and it was the *right* one!! Lol!! 😂🙌🏻 Thank you for sharing this side of the coin-it was very helpful!🌸

Good on you Sue. Great, realistic video. I'm not planning to van life, just doing research and white there's a ton of these videos from US, there are basically none from AU. So good to stumble upon your channel.

I've never seen that kind of mouse trap. It's great!

I have been full time 4 years in a truck camper. I have owned a trailer and a fifth wheel before also. They ate the soap and peppermint didn't either. I have had one mouse in the camper but this time my traveling buddy took care of the problem. My cat loves to travel from forest to desert and enjoys several small critters. Mice moles lizards etc. A cat is the best mouse catcher. If the cat doesn't catch them then stop feeding it for a few days and instinct take over and no more mouse and she gets a treat and her food dish back.

I RVd for 2 years, I really enjoyed your video.

There is a product called Critter Ridder from Home Depot that helps! Critters love to chew on wires covered with soy in Asian made cars! I spray it on wheel wells and where wires are under the hood! It kept a brazen, challenging squirrel from getting on my deck! I screamed when you screamed, but mine was twice as load!😂

Realy enjoyed your video ❤

We use Downy UNStopables granuales in fine mesh bags to get rid of mice in our cars. They hate the smell, but it's not a horrible smell, like moth balls.

Another awesome video 🚐 ❤️

Really enjoyed this 😂

Thank you for van life,I have camped out a lot with a trail riding club Wagga Wagga,we had a lot of trouble with Brumbies not so much not mice.

What I Love most about Van Life is practicing conservation. No way I'd shower every day...once a week is plenty with wipe downs in between. I embrace the challenges and lessen my foot print.

Hi Sue & Nigel - As I’ve been following some awesome American RVers - it’s a pleasant change to see the Aussie viewpoint from your travels. Appreciate your posts. Thank you!

Get some moth balls and put them on under your vehicle when you park, it repels rodents, snakes and sometimes people 😂

Love that live trap!

New fan here. Great video. Truthful.

thank you sist.... me and my twin plan to have this kind of experience while she has her sabbatical phase. your content help us

Really loved this video, thanks! Also, I've never seen a mouse trap like that, such a good idea :)

That spider did it for me man no effing way Am I going to go anywhere or something that big. You're so kind to let the mice go but lol at the fact that they were keep coming back or that they kept showing up You're brave stay safe

I would have freaked out with a spider that size in my van. You have been very brave😮

Great video, I like the mouse traps. Yikes how did you move on the huntsman spider?

Loved this video Sue ! You should do more like this… minus the mouse 😂

Thank you from David in lreland

I’m sorry this happened to you. I HATE mice. 🐁 Have you thought about putting some sort of sealant in those cracks?

Ah mate, been there before! I solo travel with 2 dogs, it's hard work doing it all yourself and looking after the pups, but all worth while when you find that cracking free camp 👌 the freedom is unmatched

Hope you made it safely till nigel got back. I hate being by myself too if Steve is away especially at night

OMG! That Spider would give me a bloody heart attack! Awww!😩

Definitely steel wool jammed in any cracks keeps them from getting in I have used it before around plumbing gaps under sinks etc

Loved the video and yes i laughed at your mice and spider,hubby has to get rid of our spiders as soon as or he gets no peace and yep mice are a pain,not sure if we have one atm or its just me hearing things at night😅 love to you both c

health issues are a concern with van life.

Glad you didn’t harm the little mice. Even in sticks a brick homes people have mice problems. I’ve even known someone who had a raccoon family under there home in the city. Spider issues too, but none as big as that spider. Once I was watching another video of an Rv dweller who had a big spider like the one in your video, She asked some guys to remove it and when they went into her Rv she could her them screaming. I don’t blame them. I definitely think you have more issues living in a vehicle traveling about. Thanks for sharing!

Mice are a pain and will seek out warm places to nest and camping in a bush setting they will see the van as being like the Hilton hotel. One other aspect is not the damage they do but what they leave behind. Mice and rats are not house trained so tend to leave little calling cards and will urinate on things. I hope you wiped over all containers and spaces they have been with disinfectant. If they have been there for a while they will have bred so pretty soon a pair become many so keep up with the traps. If you can access the space where your wiring is do so just to check for any damage and to clean out any nests and put in a couple of traps. ( A job for Nigel when he gets back. ) All in all just another day in paradise eh.

I struggle with spiders in our home due to the number of trees. Snakes are outside our home as well. I can only Imagine how much more van life dwellers deal with. When I camp in my vehicle, I am creeped out about everything, but I still enjoy it. I really appreciate you speaking about reality.

Don't let him out he will come straight back. Let him go on a drive

Orh crikey, mice, Huntsman, and a Red Belly! David Attenborough eat your heart out! You are so cool and handled these Aussie critters with admirable calm! 🇦🇺 T

Well, i envied you the sunshine until all the livestock bit. We have had nothing but rain for most of March & April😢 now i am pondering which one i would choose😊

Thanks for sharing and I think that I'd prefer the mice to that big ass spider. I actually did want to see how you got rid of that.

OMG ! That spider would have sent me running out of my van for sure ! I don't like mice either.

Well that was interesting. I really like the mousetrap. When and if we have mice again where we live, I'll look for that type of trap. Just ran across your channel. Greetings from Minnesota in the USA.

I just found your channel and now watching my first video. I couldn't do it...mice, spiders and snakes. 🤞's crossed they are gone. 😊❤

I really enjoy your videos lol

You are so kind to the mice

The second mouse release was fun. Perfect camera placement.

I’ve had mine first in my ceiling (where they chewed wires and broke my locks) and then in my engine. I’m in my van nearly 24 hours and rarely ever hear them. A couple weeks ago two babies were on my B engine block. I removed them and the lower near nest I found. I can hear them every great once in a while behind my radio. You can’t get peppermint oil in an Amazon lock box. I’ve mixed baking soda with corn meal. I’ve sprinkled hot sauce and dried pepper powder all over. I’ve put out garlic cloves. I don’t think anything is working at all. I’ve even turned my radio on loud for 10 minutes and drive over bumpy roads at other times. Nothing is working. I have never seen any mouse droppings, and I don’t believe they’re inside my minivan.

Thanks for making it real! There is a housing crisis here in the uk too and I might yet end up in my Citroen belingo 😂. I don’t fancy all the scary insects you have out there 😂

Damn! All those critters! And that spider was huge! Yes I would say its been a rough week. I dont know how you close your eyes at night with spiders running around the size of baseballs. Good luck mate, as they would say in Australia.

Also go under your van and seal with foam seal anywhere they can get in up pipes etc.

Hi your post popped up randomly and I watched this video with interest. I live in a van part time and do house and pet sits part time. I am currently in Victoria and have a mouse problem. The problem is in the house I am sitting not my van. Hopefully the mice will stay out of my van.I am awake in the ealy hours of the morning and can hear a mouse in the wardrobe of the room I am sleeping in. Those traps look great. I will get a couple. Thanks for sharing.

First time watcher. I really enjiyed your video. We use peppermint oil but also we take irish spring soap, grate it, and sprinkle it around. We do that for our tents. Keeps the rats away.

It certainly was entertaining Sue. I prefer to use pepermint oil mixed with water as a spray in a small spritzer bottle. Then you can spray all around the openings.

Nobody wants to live with mice, but bless your good heart for setting humane traps

I loved traveling but my biggest mistake was not maintaining a home base to come home to. There arrives the moment when the body says “ go home”. Awakening to that moment without having a home base is disastrous! You also need a place to recharge or recuperate when you’re ill. That happens too. It’s better to have that sorted out prior to any emergency. These preparations are more important than you would imagine.