A Few Quick and Easy Tips for RV Pest Control

There’s nothing that can ruin a camping trip more quickly than an insect infestation! To make matters worse, people who store their RVs long-term frequently discover that rodents and other pests have enjoyed their camper during the off-season. Here are a few tips to help prevent infestations of insects and other pests in your RV. To learn more, visit Chesapeake RV Solutions in Chesapeake, Virginia, serving Virginia Beach and Suffolk, Virginia.

Seal Up Points of Entry

You have to learn to think like a household pest. Pests usually like places that are warm and near a food source. You probably already know not to store food in your RV while it’s not in use, and that you should use airtight containers on your trip. You should also spend some time crawling under your sink with a caulk gun to seal up the space around your pipes or anywhere that wiring enters your interior. If your RV was subjected to seasonal weather extremes while it was in storage, you should check for exterior structural damage at seams or welds. Check your vents for nests, and be sure that all exterior storage compartments seal securely.

Natural Deterrents

Mothballs are a cheap and time-honored way to discourage spiders, snakes, and rodents, and you can use one or two per cubic foot of space. You should only use mothballs in exterior compartments, and might want to consider a different deterrent if you’re sensitive to the smell. The good news is that many things that smell good to humans repel insects. Dryer sheets in your cabinets and drawers can help repel insects and rodents, and they also absorb moisture. Oil extracts such as Eucalyptus or peppermint oil can be diluted in a spray bottle or applied to cotton balls or sachets. Spiders don’t like citrus oils such as lemons and oranges, and you can rub the peels around doors and windows or add some zest to water in a spray bottle. You can also sprinkle talcum powder or Borax around your camper to repel spiders and other pests. 

Traps and Poisons

There are a variety of traps and poisons that offer varying degrees of effectiveness. Most products designed for the home will also work in your RV or travel trailer, and your local dealership might also carry some specialty products. Be sure to read the instructions to make sure that any chemical products are safe to use around children and pets. You can also find chemical-free ultrasonic pest repellers that plug in to any standard household outlet and use low frequency sound waves to repel pests that are completely inaudible to humans and pets.

Visit our dealership in Chesapeake, Virginia, serving Virginia Beach and Suffolk, Virginia for more information, and to see our current inventory of RVs for sale.