SOLO VAN LIFE - What NOBODY talks about!
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- Опубликовано: 11 июн 2024
- The truth about solo van life is often different from what you see on social media. In this video you'll see me face some mundane challenges, and then my worst nightmare!
What would you do in this situation?
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We are Nigel and Sue (NaS) Adventures, a couple of outdoor adventurers. We've been Overlanding Australia living in our self-converted 4x4 Sprinter van since January 2021. Join us as we visit the highlights, but also share some off the beaten path hidden gems, along with the day to day realities of living in a van.
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Instead of cotton balls try filling the gaps with steel wool. They can't chew through it. Another great video :)
Great tip! Thanks so much
Actually I have heard mice can chew through steel wool, but they don't like aluminum foil balls. 😊
This really does work, tried and tested. Also humane mouse traps work best with chocolate raisins as bait, they love them. Release them at least half a mile away if you can, they have homing instincts!
Can you adopt a cat? That should keep the rodents away.
Maybe stick peppermint scented cotton wool within some steel wool?
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
Thanks for sharing your story too. Thankfully we did not sell our house, but you’re right, a lot of people do! I hope you’re in a good place now
Yes!! With you! And tiny living as well is not for everyone long term. It’s not fun after a long time
I agree with you when young with husband and baby we spent five years in a caravan. It was fun9 but like you have brought out it does have up and downs.
There is no way I would run and live in Van without doing research first becuase RUclipsrs only show Sunshine lol. It' obvious. I knew what people show on RUclips it's NOT all out there. It's for "likes and to subscribe" It's obvious NO WAY you can live in a Van like living in your home. You're traveling required a lots money etc. And not to mention safely wise. I can never do that first of all I am afraid of being alone especially at night. Nowadays it's even scarier. I don't care what anybody says...I love being in our home with my baby garden.
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.
Owning a cat is an effective way to deter mice from your home. Additionally, having a cat can provide companionship and comfort.
Maybe, but not everyone wants the added results of owning a cat? More work than occasionally removing mice. Also, somehow I don't think a cat will necessarily prevent an occasional mouse in the walls of a van
Mouse, spider, cockroaches, postman, germans…
Cats are the ultimate killing masheens…
Alot of work having a cat in a van. They can't just run around like a dog can, go on hikes .it's cruel. I have 2 cats and would NEVER do that to them. Seal up the gaps permanently with silicon after the mouse is caught. 😮
@argon62 well I hope you have a backyard and indoor area for night time.😊
@@louise7552 slow down Karen, cats all have their personality, There's enough videos of happy trucking cats to prove you wrong no matter how "cruel" you want to make it sound. You don't have the universal truth about felines. Busya (Luna) would be miserable without a big garden (but then again, she's literally a 30kg domesticated panther *) while most turtleshell do fine with whatever they got as long as they don't have to share. And I got few here who would never leave my shirt pocket if they could still fit inside.
(*) and before you open the flow of bullsh1t on this one too, she was a runt of a litter left to die and was rescued few days old by a vet assistante who raised her and is the. only mother she ever had. You can see in her behavior that she's a perfectly fine cat, litter trained, with 3am zoomies and rough play with her (Rottweiler) sister.
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.
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.
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.
I know right. i hate it when people put down rat or mice bate because it not only kills them but anything that eats them i.e hawks, Owls, fox's, dogs, cats...etc. Tip get a Berkie and a pump and pump water directly from a river into your tank. Fill your Berkie and you will have fresh water all the time and water for your sink and toilet. I never pay for water. I fill barrels with tap water when i can and pump directly into a barrel from a river at other times. Good luck
@@heathermallard9197 Thank you for the tip and the thoughts. :)
@@deirdre444 In the Uk gas stations are stopping folks getting water and so we have put this in place. We bought a barrel for a caravan which normally sits outside. It is half the capacity of our onboard tank and so when it goes to half we pump the water from the barrel into onboard tank. We do not make it obvious when filling the barrel up but simply go to any public toilet and fill up the water barrel from a tap for the next refill for free as water should be. It will be far easier for your system as the water tank used onboard your van is far smaller. Never pay for water. Plenty of places to get it from with the right battery operated pump or a simple hose to fill water carriers ...ok... All the best... much love Heather also a camper dweller. Who knows when we visit America, if we ever do, given the political unrest over their at the moment, we might meet up. x I live in England atm, but I am a Highlander born and bred in Scotland for generations. Obviously then I live in the United Kingdom, made up of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Kind regards Heather
@@heathermallard9197 This water story deserves a video of its own. :) Yes, please let us know if you find yourself heading over this way. We live in the Pacific Northwest and would love to host your visit.
@@deirdre444 I will if we ever cross the pond i.e the Pacific i believe (Geography was never my strong point lol ) touch base and take you up on the offer. But i am not sure if we will be able to afford to take our camper van over by boat from the Uk...along with our dog and cat as its very expensive and a pretty basic passage that takes five days. We'll see. In the meantime please take care.. much love Heather and John x
Steel Wool in holes rather than cotton... You're providing all of their nest material, which I'm sure they appreciate. Keep at it!
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..
There is no way I could live in van. I am claustrophobic. But, I do enjoy watching how people adjust their lives to living in a small space. I have learned a lot.
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.
Thanks so much Lizzy. OMG I would die if there was a Rat. Mice are bad enough! Yeah, I've heard its getting harder in the UK. I know what you mean about tired and sleepless.
Haha it's likely the same mouse that wants you as their family cos they know you want company lol...
I had mice in my big Bounder but trapped them. In my current smaller rig I have never had a mouse but have had an occasional water bug which freaks me out. None lately thank God!
They say spray the peppermint around your tires and any openings and plug the openings with steel wool. Also rodents don’t like lights so many install LED light strips under the vehicle and having them flash is even better. Also leaving your engine hood up keeps it bright enough to deter them from chewing wires or building nests. Some add a light for night hours.
Hope these suggestions help.
Appreciate you showing real van life. Yeah, I heard mice can be a problem, but that big a$$ spider would definitely have given me the willys. Wouldn’t be able to sleep after seeing that and hoping there wasn’t another that would crawl on me in the night.😳🫣😬
Love the video hitting the road in my sprinter soon any help is appreciated I'm a new bee.
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.
Appreciate your sharing. Total eye opener.
Peace, Good Vibes & safe travels
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
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for the comment 🧡🙏
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.
I did consider it for a while haha
😂😂 That is hilarious! That’s how I was thinking when I saw that spider 🕷️
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.
Those are extremely obnoxious for other campers, especially those of us who want to escape all the light pollution to which city folks seem to be addicted.
Oh you have me in tears here.......... you are telling my story when I am camping/traveling in my van!!
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.😂
Yeah I certainly would not be calm either! Good for your hubby!
I think parking under a tree was the problem.
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.
also, you can do this at night and have the lights on so you can see the gaps
Add steel wool to this. Foolproof!
Will gap filler be messy when it needs to be removed? Will gap filler remove easily?
@@krisgen29 gap filler is permanent, not meant to be removed. If done well you won't see it anyway
@@krisgen29put gloves on and painting clothes, gap fill a little, then smooth out, if too much wipe with rag. Then do a bit more. It can dry very quickly if it's hot.
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.
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.
I did this for two years in 2010 and 2015, you then knew what a mobile homeless life it was.
It never ceases to amaze me at the number of people who are not cut out for van life or for camping. It's like someone wanting to make a living selling his paintings but has no artistic talent. You have to love what you do. You should be good at what you do. If you don't, then do something else.
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 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! 🚐☕️🐁💜🫂🕉🕊
You are very brave Sue , good luck with your next adventure 🥰🥰
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.
Thank goodness!! Glad you had a laugh 😆
peppermint spray bottle with some water mixture. Spray everything❤
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.👍🏼👍🏼
Thanks Noel, glad you got a laugh. I'm glad that we can show you some awesome places in the world - plenty more adventures to come. Take care :-)
Can you adopt a cat? That should keep the rodents away.
Sue, absolutely loved your video. So funny and yet so real. We have experienced all those things in our travels.
Glad you enjoyed it! I think having a mouse is a real right of passage for an Aussie road trip!
health issues are a concern with van life.
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.
That’s a clever idea! And yes they are great traps especially if you don’t like dealing with squished dead mice!
I have a tarantula in my van her name is itsy bitsy😂 I'm so Glad I'm not afraid of mice or snakès also.😊
OMG! That Spider would give me a bloody heart attack! Awww!😩
Thoroughly enjoyed your video - refreshing honesty. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching Catherine.
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 !
Glue the steel wool in around the edges too
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. 👍💯
The snake would be the end of me. The spider, ❤too. You are a brave lady.
Great video Sue. Thank you
Cheers Shelley! Thanks for watching 😁
Loved the video Sue - I laughed out loud when you kicked the trap, it sprinted out and you let out a yell 😂
Yeah they always shock me!
Thanks for making it real for us.😮
Hi from New Zealand. Thank you x
Thank you for sharing 😊
Watching from Adelaide South Australia. Your video was recommended, great video.
Ah we loved South Australia. We call it the under-rated state.
Thanks for sharing your real life🏴
Love that you use 'Have a heart' traps
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
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!🌸
Haha, that would be funny right? Middle of the Main Street!
Video title should be 50% solo van life. You're not really doing it solo.
But you're right about the real life people being forced to live in their vehicles.
Hi , came across your video. Great content , keeping it real . New subscriber, wishing you all the best on your travels.
thanks so much for joining the journey! Hope you enjoy the videos.
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.
Thank you so much!! Hope you enjoy the back catalogue of all our Aussie adventures.
I saw a mouse trap that one RVer did religiously. They took a 5 gallon bucket, put some water in the bottom and a stick ramp to the top coated and peanut butter. The mice would crawl up onto the stick to get the peanut butter and then fall into the water and drowned. They had this bucket under their rig all the time everywhere they went. and it kept the mice out of the rig
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!😂
I had NO idea a mouse can get in the RV! There’s no way, I could cope.
I feel ypu pain! And laugh through the whe video..thanks for sharing real life😅
I've never seen that kind of mouse trap. It's great!
Very interesting! Thank you, nice video
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.
If I stopped feeding my cat for a day or two, she'd piss all over my bed.
Great video. Hugs. Safe travels.
Thanks so much 🙏🧡
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.
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.
Yes the entire van has had a thorough clean and disinfect. It’s been a couple of weeks since I filmed this video and no further mice thank god!! I did find some good they had been into so I think the wiring is safe.
Thanks for education on that I didn't know
I RVd for 2 years, I really enjoyed your video.
Thank you 🙏 🧡
Greetings from Oklahoma USA. Enjoyed your video, my first on your channel. Had a laugh, an 'oh no', and a fright as well when you let that one mouse out of it's trap. I'll bet you were glad when hubby got back!
I'm always glad when he gets home! Thanks for watching.
Great vid!
Realy enjoyed your video ❤
Thank you! Glad to hear it 🧡
Another awesome video 🚐 ❤️
Thanks lovely sis 🧡🧡
Really loved this video, thanks! Also, I've never seen a mouse trap like that, such a good idea :)
I felt so much more comfortable using a trap like that.
Really enjoyed this 😂
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.
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!
Thanks Jane! Are you in Australia?
Hi Sue - Welcome and I actually live in Ontario 🇨🇦
We are having our spring season here. I understand about the mice and snakes and spiders as I grew up on my late dad’s Scottish ancestral farm. We have a few poisonous snakes and spiders here but not as many species as in the SE and SW USA or as in your hinterlands, etc.
Yes - I follow on UTube those who must live in their RVs and even their vehicles because of our housing situations.
Love your Aussie accent. I became hooked on it ever since Paul Hogan and the Crocodile Dundee movies.
Have a good day! Cheers from Canada! 😊
PS: I liked the humane way you disposed of the mice. Mickey Mouse would be proud! Just kidding!
@@janeburton7647 Hey Jane, if you liked Paul Hogan in Crocodile Dundee, have you seen any of his earlier stuff? He had a very popular show here in the 70s. My favourite skit is up on RUclips, if you search "Strop's Hangover Cure" - this is an absolute classic. And yes, Strop actually drank that concoction.
@@nigelandsueadventures Appreciate the info about Paul Hogan. Cheers!
Love that live trap!
I’m sorry this happened to you. I HATE mice. 🐁 Have you thought about putting some sort of sealant in those cracks?
Parts of Australia NSW especially, have had a mice plague. Make sure you don’t venture into those areas 😬
Get some moth balls and put them on under your vehicle when you park, it repels rodents, snakes and sometimes people 😂
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.
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
thank you sist.... me and my twin plan to have this kind of experience while she has her sabbatical phase. your content help us
Glad to hear it! I hope you have an awesome time togther.
New fan here. Great video. Truthful.
Thanks so much Sarah, hope you enjoy the journey.
omg - that was hilarious - LOL Glad you survived!
Great video, I like the mouse traps. Yikes how did you move on the huntsman spider?
I would have freaked out with a spider that size in my van. You have been very brave😮
Loved this video Sue ! You should do more like this… minus the mouse 😂
Thanks Anya! I will and also hopefully minus the 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.
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
Trust me I was not calm when I saw that huntsman!!
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.
Thank you from David in lreland
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
Ain’t that the truth 🧡🙏
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.
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 would say KEEP NO FOOD ZERO FOOD in your vehicle....
Ya there are downsides of constant travel and all the little things that add up over time. I did 1.5 yrs in travel mode with no “home” …I missed having the luxury of one solid place
Thx for sharing! Feeling you as we experienced so much of these kinds of annoying experiences too. Blessings on your journey! ❤
Thank you so much ☺️ 🧡
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😊
Oh no! Where are you? It's been so dry in Victoria. It was amazing to see the difference after we crossed the border to NSW and QLD. (Our videos are a couple of weeks behind.)
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
Thanks Vinietta, yeah I do sometimes hear things! And sometimes I wish I was just hearing things lol.
Don't let him out he will come straight back. Let him go on a drive
OMG ! That spider would have sent me running out of my van for sure ! I don't like mice either.
Definitely steel wool jammed in any cracks keeps them from getting in I have used it before around plumbing gaps under sinks etc
Safe travels. Thanks for sharing the pros and cons.
thanks so much for watching!
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 😂
Honestly though, that’s only the second time we’ve had a spider in the van in over 3 years!
Hope you made it safely till nigel got back. I hate being by myself too if Steve is away especially at night
I’m terrified of spiders « That Huge Spider .. than a snake .. that’s enough for me to NOT want to live a nomad life anymore .. ( I’m not afraid of mouse ) thanks a lot for sharing ❤ from Québec
Crikey where the hell are you 😂 I’m not wanting van life at all now , I thought I might try it but forget it