Controlling Pests in Your RV

Nothing ruins a good RV camping trip quite like a pest infestation. You might not notice anything at first, but soon the smells, droppings, nests, and chewed wires will alert you that your camper has picked up a few unwanted hitchhikers. These strategies from Sterling Trailer Sales can help you prevent and deal with RV pest infestations.

Cleaning

One of the best ways you can keep pests from infesting your RV in the first place is to keep everything as clean as possible. The smells left behind by spills and crumbs might be too faint for you to detect, but to pests they’re a sign that your RV is a place where they can feast as much as they like. Besides removing these food traces, it’s also a good idea to keep any dry food in airtight containers. 

Rodents

Rats, mice, and other rodents are surprisingly good at squeezing into small holes. The best way to prevent a rodent infestation in your RV is to occasionally check the exterior for holes in the frame and patch up any you find. If the rats or mice are already inside your camper, use traps or poison to get rid of them. 

Insects

How you should respond to an insect infestation depends on the insect type. Roaches are vulnerable to bait and insecticide. However, it’s important that you’re careful about how you use these substances. They can be just as toxic to people and pets as they are to bugs. Ants are tricky because they like to build colonies. If you find ants, follow them back to their point of origin so that you can remove them at the source. One strategy is to wipe down the surfaces that the ants frequent with soapy water to erase the chemical “trails” these insects use to navigate. You can also vacuum up the ants to dispose of them elsewhere. A bee or wasp hive is a bit harder to deal with because these insects sting. Be very careful when dealing with bees and wasps, and wear some form of protection. You may even need to call a professional exterminator to remove the hive. 

Shop RVs at Sterling Trailer Sales in Dunmore, Alberta. We’re proud to serve communities like Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, and Brooks, Alberta. We also offer financing, parts, servicing, and virtual tours. We hope to see you soon!