Bugs inside your RV are by no means enjoyable. Positive, all of us benefit from the nice outdoor whereas we’re tenting. However after I go into my rig, I actually need a bug-free house the place I can calm down. Sadly as a result of RVs are typically parked on grass, below bushes, and in wilderness areas, we’ve had loads of issues with bugs in our RV. The excellent news? Insect-proofing your RV is completely doable.
Listed below are some suggestions I’ve realized through the years.
Seal All the things Up
Initially, you’ll wish to seal up each doable entry level on the RV. Use RV sealant to shut gaps round doorways, home windows, vents, roof extrusions, and many others. Additionally use increasing foam to seal gaps round plumbing and wiring. For small holes, attempt stuffing nice metal wool into crevices earlier than sealing. It’s an inexpensive and efficient deterrent for crawling bugs and rodents.
Undecided you bought all of the gaps? Flip off all lights in your RV at night time, go outdoors with a flashlight, and shine it round seams and vents. Any gentle escaping is a possible bug entrance.
Improve Your Screens
Typically RV display screen doorways aren’t sufficient to maintain the swarm of bugs out. Particularly if the door has holes or will get opened incessantly. One simple option to clear up this drawback is through the use of magnetic display screen curtains for doorways. They’re simple to put in, self-closing, and pet-friendly.
Want a option to hold bugs out whereas the home windows are open? You may reinforce present screens with mesh cloth designed for “no-see-ums” (tiny flying bugs that giggle at common screens).
If you happen to’re coping with holes in your screens, it’s doable so as to add display screen patches in enjoyable shapes (like stars or animals) to restore small tears. I really like this concept as a result of it’s practical but additionally provides a little bit of character to your home-on-wheels.
Set up Bug-Proof Vent Covers
RV vents are important. With out them, we wouldn’t have followers, fridges, water heaters, and many others. That stated, they’re additionally an open invitation to any little critter who may wish to enter your rig. Fortunately, there’s a resolution that can assist with insect-proofing your RV.
As a way to hold bugs from getting in by way of the vents, substitute customary vent covers with insect-proof variations that embrace built-in mesh. If that’s not an possibility, minimize aluminum window display screen mesh and safe it inside with high-heat-resistant tape or zip ties.
Both method, you’ll find yourself with a nice display screen that retains bugs from squeezing by. Simply be certain to scrub it commonly so air can get the place it must go!
Clear and Repel
Crumbs, spills, and meals smells will completely entice pests. In any case, most bugs love a superb snack, and when you depart one thing out, they’re going after it. One of the simplest ways to deal with that is, in fact, to scrub up messes instantly utilizing a vinegar resolution. Additionally, keep away from leaving meals and trash out.
As soon as every thing is clear, use pure deterrents like bay leaves in your pantry and peppermint oil sprays round entryways. You can too make your personal bug-repelling sachets with dried lavender, cedar chips, or citrus peels and tuck them into drawers and cupboards. All of those scents repel many bugs however are secure for people and pets, and in my view all of them odor wonderful, so that you’ll get an air freshener in addition.
Gentle Smarter
Vibrant white lights entice bugs like a porch gentle cliché. If you happen to depart a brilliant exterior gentle on close to the door, you’re certain to have numerous bugs by the tip of the night time, as a couple of will fly in each time the door is opened.
Fortunately, it’s tremendous simple to repair this. Change exterior lights with yellow LED bug lights, that are far much less enticing to bugs. Inside, use motion-activated or directional lighting to scale back fixed illumination. It will actually assist with insect-proofing your RV.
Create a Bug-Free Outside Zone
Your RV door opens to the outside, which means each time it’s opened, there’s the potential for bugs to get in. That stated, when you make the house proper outdoors of your RV door a bug-free zone, the little critters are a lot much less prone to fly in when the door is opened.
Arrange a display screen tent or mesh gazebo proper outdoors your RV door. An awning display screen room is right for this. Activate followers and ultrasonic bug-repelling units to maintain bugs at bay. Use battery-powered bug zappers to do away with bugs who make their method into your house.
You can too place pots of insect-repelling herbs like basil, citronella, and mint round your out of doors setup. These will play double responsibility as a result of they odor good and assist hold bugs away.
Use RV Skirting
Sure sorts of bugs are drawn to the shady, damp atmosphere below your rig. Whereas lots of them will keep below the RV, you’re extra prone to see these little critters crawl into your RV in the event that they’re residing beneath. That is an particularly massive drawback in case your RV is stationary and also you’re parked on grass or filth.
To forestall this, use insulated or cloth skirting with mesh limitations on the backside of your rig. Some RVers go a step additional and add a layer of diatomaceous earth or crushed volcanic rock across the perimeter—it’s innocent to individuals however lethal to crawling bugs.
Routine Bug Checks & Upkeep
Like all dwelling, an RV wants common TLC. This implies making repairs in a well timed method, following the upkeep schedule, and routinely checking for pests. Make insect-checks a part of your journey routine so that you catch any issues and might nip them within the bud early on.
You may additionally wish to hold a “bug patrol” guidelines in your cellphone with reminders to examine screens, verify for droppings, and refresh pure repellents. I like to recommend utilizing the RV Life Upkeep app for this, because it helps hold every thing organized in a single place and can even ship you reminders.
As you possibly can see, there are a selection of steps you possibly can take towards insect-proofing your RV. Be certain that to implement these concepts earlier than your subsequent journey. You is perhaps stunned by what a distinction they’ll make!