Sunset in the Coconino National Forest, looking northeast toward Sedona, AZ, 4/17/15

Friday, May 25, 2018

Mice and Stuff

A mouse never got into my 2004 Prius during my 8 years of camping out of it.  But, I've had at least 5 mice in my 2015 Prius in less than a year.  I caught two, but the others exited on their own.  A good friend, with some space, allowed me to take the stuff out of my car in an attempt to find the mice's entry way.  I was also glad for the opportunity to do some deep spring cleaning.  I took everything out, including the donut spare and glove box.

Everything out of the Prius!  May 2018 

When I took the glove box out, I found insulation had been torn up for a nest.  And, there were mouse droppings, too ... BINGO, I found the mice's entry/exit point!  Behind the glove box is the cabin filter that was ready to be changed.

The old cabin filter with evidence of mouse chews.  A ball of the mice's tore-up
insulation.  The back of the glove box with insulation pulled off by the mice.
(Inside of the glove box is the new cabin filter that I installed.)  May 2018 

Unfortunately, behind the glove box is full of wires, the filter, and other parts.  There is no way to get behind it all to find the mice's entry/exit point. 

Wires, filter and parts behind the glove box. The mice's foyer.  May 2018 

So, I researched and discovered that mint and original Simple Green deter mice.  So, Simple Green got sprayed in the engine compartment against the back wall by the glove box.  And cotton balls with peppermint oil were placed inside.  I also have mouse traps if/when another one joins me inside.

In addition to finding the mouse door, I thought you all would be interested in seeing all the stuff that came out of, and went back into the Prius.

10'x10' tarp with all of the stuff emptied from the Prius, including
a couple of chairs at the bottom left.  May 2018 

It's even hard for me to believe that all of that stuff came out of my car.  For more detail, here's a one-minute video of everything.



I have 3 main storage areas in the Prius: 1) Under back hatch, 2) On front passenger seat and floor, and 3) Behind front passenger seat.  But, first the bed gets made up.

I use a REI 3.5" Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad  (25"x72")
and many layers of bedding to cover me if cold,
or peel off when warm.  May 2018 

Under the bed and above the donut spare tire is a storage area where I keep rarely used items (oil, antifreeze, compressor, extra sleeping bag, etc.).

With some covers turned down on the bed on the right, the left-side is
packed and strapped down, ready for travel.

To the left of the bed and under the hatch I store camp furniture (chairs, table), tent, tarp, cooking utensils, stove, bags of bags (zip lock, grocery, nylon duffles), water storage bladders, office supplies, small fan, window cover, broom (without handle).

What's left on the tarp after packing most of the areas under the hatch.  May 2018 

Also, under the hatch, I store cleaning supplies (Simple Green, liquid soap, vinegar, baking soda, rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, corn starch) in a cubby to the right back of the bed.

Containers of cleaning supplies are in a cubby at the foot of the bed.  May 2018 

Next I packed the front passenger seat area.  My goal is to keep everything below window height.  Here is where I keep my food, toiletries, out-of-season clothes, step stool, front window covers, mouse traps, mosquito repellent, and electronics.

Front passenger seat all packed.  May 2018 

After packing the cleaning supplies in the back, and the loading up the front passenger seat, the tarp is looking almost empty now.


After loading the Prius with the cleaning supplies, food, toiletries, electronics,
etc., most of the tarp is visible.  In the right front are tools, adhesives, and
car items that need to be organized.  May 2018 

After re-organizing the containers that hold my tools and car maintenance items, they were packed behind the front passenger seat, along with butane, propane, fire extinguisher, an umbrella, and bathroom and laundry supplies.

Behind front seat all packed.  May 2018 


Every space is used in the Prius.  Under the driver's seat is a fanny pack and my shoes.

The shoes I'm wearing are also stored here while sleeping.   May 2018 

The tarp is almost empty.

Clothing, an insulated lunch box.  What's that in the far left corner?  May 2018 

MSR Dromeday Bags (water bladders) are great for small areas because they take up very little space when empty.

Three of my 4 water bladders.  Two are full, one almost empty.  May 2018 

The items that remain on the tarp are stored in different places depending on if I'm in camping mode or travel mode.


Camping Mode:  Bags of clothing are in the
driver's seat.  Insulated lunch box of food
on the floor where it's coolest.  May 2018 


Travel Mode: Bags of clothing on passenger seat,
 and insulated lunch box of food on the
floor where it's coolest.  May 2018 

If the Dromedary Bags have water in them, I carry them at the foot of my bed in travel mode.

Travel Mode:  Full water bladders are placed on the foot of the bed and
strapped down during travel.  They are covered with the white material
to the right to keep them from heating up due to direct sun exposure. When
in Camping Mode, they are either outside or on the dash.  May 2018 


To the casual observer, the packed Prius doesn't look very organized.  But, in fact, it's extremely organized.  Likes are with likes; a place for everything, and everything in its place.  I know what color bag contains which items.  Things I rarely use are at the bottom, and things I use frequently are toward the top.  When in camping mode, I can reach everything from the driver's-side passenger seat.

I've been called a minimalist.  But, when I look at everything I have and carry, I'm not sure that term fits.


Off the tarp and in the Prius. May 2018

35 comments:

  1. That's amazing. I mean the stuff you fit into the prius. Were you able to get rid of anything to downsize, further?

    It's me, cyndi

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    1. Hey Cyndi! I got rid of a plastic grocery bag with of stuff, and then promptly purchased more stuff specifically for my summer travels. ;)

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  2. This was just wonderful as I am still contemplating what vehicle and what needs I will have. I hope to have the house on the market by next spring. Could you do a post on what kind of food you like and what travels well and cooking?
    Thanks so much and hope one day to meet you! Ps mice.. yuck!

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  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. Only deleted because I forgot to check follow up reply box.

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  4. Suanne, again.. you are a genius! Thanks for giving your loyal followers more great info on your ingenious set up. I really enjoy reading about you and your adventures. Have a Prius V myself, and am looking forward to heading out to Canada, Montreal area for a first visit this summer. Question... have you ever left your climate control system on for the entire night? Either in summer hot weather (for A/C) or in winter weather for heat? When your engine starts up to re-charge the batteries, does it bother other campers? Thanks for a reply. CR

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    1. First, I'm so sorry my reply has taken this long. I haven't left my climate control on all night. But, I have gone to sleep with it on, then turned it off in the wee hours. I've not had anyone complain about the sound of my engine; and when I've asked people say they either can't hear it or doesn't bother them.

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  5. OK, it is official, I am tired now.

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    1. Me too ... as I re-read this. Safe travels my friend!

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  6. Thanks Suanne - I loved your presentations at the 2018 RTR. I had a class B for the first 6 months of my travels - sold it and just bought a 2014 Prius v Five for the next 6 months of my travels. I was inspired by the video Jamie did of you and your first Prius. I watched it a few times to plan my Prius out. I am going to put some peppermint oil around my dash at the start. Thanks for sharing your trials with mice. I look forward to hearing more from you and seeing you in Arizona in 2019. You have a handsome looking family. I can tell you really love that grandson.

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    1. Thank you for your comment. And, I'm sorry it's taken me this long to find it. I hope that peppermint oil works for you like it is working for me. I haven't had a mouse since!

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  7. I used to have a Toyota Matrix that I camped in, and got mice in there a couple of times. Once was in the spring, they set up in the heater block and never came further inside. The car had been sitting in back of my home by a field for a few weeks without moving. The other time, I had stored extra food and my boots in the tire well, and the food was in plastic zip lock bags, which are nothing for a mouse to chew through. And the boots made a comfy home until I pulled them out and dislodged the nest. So I learned to keep ALL food in mouse proof containers.

    I used to drive an RV for work back in the 1990s and I had mice in there once too. And that time there was no food kept overnight in the RV. (I hated driving that thing - too big!)

    So, those three times, all I did was nothing (the first time) or set out traps the other two times. I was camping in a station wagon from 1987 to 2016. I moved up to a Toyota Sienna last year, but I am considering a Prius V since I have seen videos of you doing it - I like the fact that you can run the a/c or heat if you need to.

    And I sure do miss windows that can be manually rolled up or down without cranking the engine.

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    1. Dancewater, Good information. Although electronics provide lots of conviences, if there's no power, then they just don't work … like those electric windows. The best to you.

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  8. Wow Suanne! Thanks for sharing! Im in San Diego..let me know if u are ever in the area

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    1. Every once in a while I'm in the San Diego area. Sometimes stealth camping with a friend, or visiting a cousin in Oceanside. No current plans right now. Take care.

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  9. I knew there was a reason I like peppermint so much. :)
    We have a 2015 Prius too. It's amazing how much stuff you can fit in yours :)
    Right now our Prius is a daily driver for my spouse. I have a dreams of using it for car camping at the least and maybe an extended summer road trips when our kid is older.

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    1. Sounds good. Don't give up on your dreams!

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  10. Thanks Suanne for the great info! I'm full time in a Ford Transit Connect and i learned several tips just from this post! Have forwarded links to a friend who goes to get on the road soon. See ya somewhere down the road! Cheers & Hugs from NC

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  11. Looks like all Prius attract mice. Someone said he uses decon. I cannot imagine the stench of death from that. Anyhoo, if you havent yet come across it, here is a link with photos of how to screen over the mice access. Looks like a real effort to do it. Maybe worth it.
    https://priuschat.com/threads/mouseproofing-the-prius.51005/

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    1. I suspect it isn't the Prius itself that attract mice, but the nice cozy warm inside (and a few food crumbs) that attract them. Thanks for the Prius Chat link. Unfortunately it is about the 2nd Gen Prii (like my 2004 where I never had a mouse). I currently have a 3rd Gen. But, the good news is that I haven't had a mouse since I wrote this article and employeed the peppermint oil and Simple Green solutions. I will go back and study that Prius Chat article tho' … maybe the mice will return and it'll have some ideas I can transfer to my 2015 Prius. Thanks much!

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  12. Hi suanne. I'm wondering if you ever use those rooftop containers, or think they are not worth it? I can't remember the brand name of any)

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    1. Good question. I haven't used the roof top storage containers for several reasons -- I'm short and would have to carry a ladder to reach it; It would seriously reduce my MPG; and I don't need it for the stuff that is important to me and my safety. That's for me. I know others who do use them and like them.

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  13. Hi Suanne, Thank you for paving the way and showing us all how you organize. I’m living in a 2015 as well. I’m a backpacker so I look at things
    From s “ what can I do without “, standpoint. The one thing I wanted was as much room in the rear
    seat area. I have done no modifications, but instead of having a permanent bed set up, I use a tri- fold 4”” memory foam, that folds up into the rear hatch area when not in use, along with the same rei self inflating mattress you have. I use a synthetic quilt and down blanket when I need it, but it allows me to lounge in the rear seat area and stretch out with only a plastic container behind the passenger seat that holds my pillow, blanket, and 12volt lunch box cooker when not in use.
    I’m able to set up and take down the bedding from the inside of the car btw. Anyway, it works for me
    very well, but just wanted to thank you for posting
    because it took me from completely skeptical to purchasing and living in the Prius. Good luck

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    1. Thanks Urban prius. I know several folks who live out of their Prius and we all have similar but different set ups. Each of us has it set up so that it meets our needs and satisfies what is important to us. Just like you. And, the more of us that share our differing set ups, the better. I'm sure you are inspiring someone to do what you have done because you have similar needs. Thank you.

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  14. Suanne, as you know, mice do not like the smell of mint. I tried peppermint oil on cotton balls to keep them away but even I found the smell to be over powering. I have discovered that keeping unwrapped bars of Irish Spring soap tucked into corners does work. Just wanted to pass that along.

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    1. Thanks Janice. For me, it's just the opposite. I like and enjoy the smell of peppermint. Irish Spring gives me a headache. Different strokes for different folks, as they say. Thanks for sharing because I'm sure we have people reading these comments that are more like you than me.

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  15. I had the same problem every time I visited my cabin. In desperation I Googled! and someone told me to turn my AC to "recirculate" when I left the car. Knock wood, that solved my issues.

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    1. Hey Roxi! I hope that's still working for you. Let me know and I'll do it too.

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  16. Hi, Suanne! I just saw your interview on YouTube and am reading your blogs. What a wealth of information! I’m still in the planning phase and learning so very much from you and your fellow Prius campers. Hopefully, I’ll be hitting the road soon! DIYDonna, retired teacher

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    1. I'm glad you are finding the information here useful. Safe and happy trails!

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  17. Suanne, know that we are still out here and watching for your comments and responses. Because of you, sleeping on occasion while traveling in my Prius V is no problem. Very comfortable and great interior climate control.

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    1. Thank you. And so glad to hear that you Prius V is working well for you.

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