When it’s hot, cold or rainy outside, your RV becomes a nice and welcoming place for you and your family to retreat to. Unfortunately for you, creepy crawlies and other pests feel the exact same way. When you put your RV away in storage, it increases the risk of infestation because not only are insects getting inside, they’re also starting to breed and increase in numbers. To help you keep your RV pest free, we at RVs and Boats For Less have compiled some helpful tips. If you’re looking for RVs for sale in Chubbuck, TX, get in touch with our sales department today. We proudly serve the good people of Idaho Falls and Pocatello.
Mice
Some people are deathly afraid of mice, but mice are more than just startling. These little buggers can wreak havoc on your RV’s frame, chew through important wires, and leave droppings everywhere. Some people choose to use mouse traps and rat poison to get rid of them, but it’s better to make it impossible for them to enter your camper in the first place.
Ensure that you don’t leave food scraps around and remove all food before storing your RV for the winter. Remember to block all points of entry by checking for any holes in the frame and filling them before storing the RV. Luckily, mice need fairly sizable holes to creep into, so you’re more likely to completely mouse-proof your RV.
Insects
It’s a little harder to prevent insects than mice. Insects are often small enough to enter in through holes you won’t notice or fix so you need to use a somewhat different prevention method. However, you should still remove all food that would attract bugs. If one insect finds something good to munch on, it won’t be long before a whole horde follows suit. Sometimes it’s too late for prevention and that’s when you have to get more proactive. There are a slew of insect traps to help you get rid of them; you simply have to select the right one.
Ants travel pretty methodically, so if you follow their movements, you’ll probably find the source of the invasion to help you seal it up. If you don’t want to use harsh chemicals to kill the ants, consider simply using a vacuum to suck up as many as you can (and dispose of them far from your camper). If there are still some remaining, fill a spray bottle with water and dish soap and spray down the area before wiping them away.
Beware of roaches, as they can present a health problem for your family. The best way to keep them in check is to use roach bait, either store-bought or homemade. Insecticide is also an option but be careful in case you have kids or pets as these products can be very harmful. Insects like bees and wasps are also dangerous and you should avoid any hives forming in your RV. Either way, you can use hornet spray or flood the nest with that same soapy solution used to kill ants. Just make sure you’re covered from head to toe in protective gear to avoid getting stung.
Mothballs
Mothballs are great as a multi-purpose deterrent. They’re designed specifically to chase away moths and silverfish, but can also work against snakes, scorpions, spiders and mice. Keep in mind that they’re incredibly toxic if ingested and shouldn’t be used for anything other than their intended purpose. You’ll want to be particularly cautious if you have children or pets. Also, not everyone can stand the smell of mothballs in a closed environment like an RV.
We hope these tips help you keep your RV clean and insect-free. In case you need help with RV maintenance, get in touch with our expert staff at RVs and Boats For Less. We also have a wide selection of RVs for sale in Chubbuck, Texas, so visit us to get a tour of our inventory. We welcome all our friends from Idaho Falls and Pocatello.
