Please help me solve a mystery!

[TJ&LadyDi]

A couple of days ago, I went inside the coach to get something and found the center aisle (slides were in)...front to back...littered with bits of foil and what appears to be white paper. I figuredthat some kind of "critter" had gotten inside the coach, though there were no other signs of that kind of activity. Cleaned up the mess and set a rat trap in the shower hoping to catch the critter.

Checked yesterday and today; no signs of any critter activity. As I was leaving the coach this afternoon, I happened to glance up and saw some of the identical litter in the louvre slots where the heat pump air exits. It appears to have blown out of the louvres when the heat pumps were running (we keep them set at 50 degrees to keep the humidity down.

Any thoughts on what this could be? The litter is about 1/4" pieces. I don't think there is any way a critter could get on the coach roof and inside the AC/heat pump enclosures. Left over piece of insulation scrap that got into the fan(s)? We've had the coach for 2+ years and have had no AC/heat pump issues; neither have we had any previous litter episodes like this.

This one has me stumped, folks. Any thoughts on this will be sincerely appreciated.

TJ

 

[Neal]

Photographic evidence?

 

[Jim]

Sounds like what happened to us last year. Turned out to be a field mouse. Very small creatures and they can get anywhere. We have them everywhere and they are very destructive. Only solution for us was a cat.

 

[Neal]

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Photographic evidence?

Below is the best I could do. Cleaned up the mess a couple days back when I thought it was a "critter."

TJ

 

[Neal]

Significant stuff. Sounds like an intruder for sure, could even be a squirrel?

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Sounds like what happened to us last year. Turned out to be a field mouse. Very small creatures and they can get anywhere. We have them everywhere and they are very destructive. Only solution for us was a cat.

@Jim, the chaff pieces look bigger than what I would expect from a mouse. And, there's no sign of mouse droppings...and, those little critters can't go two feet without leaving something behind. ?

I just don't see how a mouse or other critter could get up in the AC/HP ducts. I could be mistaken.

TJ

 

[Neal]

If you or someone could get on the roof and remove the AC shrouds to inspect that's where I'd look next.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Significant stuff. Sounds like an intruder for sure, could even be a squirrel?

I suppose that's possible. It would have to come in from the roof though and I can't imagine how it would climb 13' of smooth, vertical fiberglass. Got a squirrel trap on the way from Amazon, just in case. We have seen a squirrel in the yard once or twice in the past, but there's not many of them around here.

TJ

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

If you or someone could get on the roof and remove the AC shrouds to inspect that's where I'd look next.

Therein lies a problem; this old dinosaur doesn't climb ladders any more. Not even for squirrels.

Maybe this is an excuse to buy a drone. Are they available with "death ray" lasers?

TJ

 

[Jim]

I suppose that's possible. It would have to come in from the roof though and I can't imagine how it would climb 13' of smooth, vertical fiberglass.

TJ

Attaining access to places that are beyond the ability of most creatures is the MO of a field mouse. I think it has something to do with a transporter and possibly rubs the edges of quantum physics.

 

[J&JD]

Therein lies a problem; this old dinosaur doesn't climb ladders any more. Not even for squirrels.

Maybe this is an excuse to buy a drone. Are they available with "death ray" lasers?

TJ

I would suggest sending Lady Di up but doubt that would fly?

 

[Neal]

And just like that you’re off the Christmas list.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

I would suggest sending Lady Di up but doubt that would fly?

LadyDi says she "doesn't fly either."

TJ

 

[Kevin D Pem]

If you or someone could get on the roof and remove the AC shrouds to inspect that's where I'd look next.

I agree with the critter outlook. After my last year I will tell you you need to have it inspected. Dust is moved through those ducts and if there is dropping in the ducts does not mean you see them, but the dust can and has killed people, wear a mask while cleaning things up.

My fear is talking here.

 

[sheridany]

A far fetched idea but we have used a duct cleaning service in the S&B and I was amazed what came out. Might be worth a try. Some have tanks where you can see what comes out.

 

[Caroljv123]

Sheridan is right rodent poo can be deadly, literally. I haven’t even gotten my RV yet but have pest control for my home, can you hire pest control for your rig? I know before I venture to Florida for a month long or two month long stay I am going to ask my pest control company to do a complete roach prevention for my rig before taking it down there. I suppose they would do it after all, it’s just a home on wheels. Or am I wrong?

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Not to worry! We are well aware of potential health hazards from rodent-borne disease. The good news is something called "efficacy." The viruses, microbes and other disease carriers have a relatively short "shelf life," if you will; "efficacy." This can range from hours to several days after the rodent population has been removed.

So, we will take all precautions and will be scheduling a mobile RV tech to go up on the coach roof and check out the AC/Heat Pump units on the coach, repair any damage and clean the ducts, etc.

TJ

 

[Joe Hogan]

Do you have a flexible inspection camera? A useful tool for all manner of things. You could use something like this Milwaukee 2316-21 M12 M-Spector Flex Inspection Camera Cable Kit, 9 Ft.: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific