Keep Bugs Out of Your RV

Bugs are everywhere. It's estimated that there are 91,000 species of bugs in the U.S. They help the environment in many ways, but no one wants them in their RV. I especially have a dislike for spiders in my rig. So far, we have been lucky in that we have not had big bug problems in our rig. That is either due to just luck or the measures we usually take to prevent them from getting inside.

Keep Food Out Of Reach

Making sure to clean up any spills promptly and keeping the rig vacuumed can dissuade pests such as ants from entering. They come in looking for food. If you have pets, it is a good idea to keep their food in sealed containers, as well.

Close up Cracks

One of the first steps in keeping bugs out of your rig is to make sure they don’t have easy access to the interior of your rig. Make sure there are no gaps around doors. Check the screens on your doors, windows, and roof vents for tears, etc. Some areas have not been sealed well where cords or pipes go through the wall or floor. You can use expanding foam in many cases to close up these cracks.

Use Bug Spray Inside

Any cracks that you can’t seal up should be sprayed with bug spray. Any spray that lasts for several months and is rated for indoor use will most likely work. I always spray my screens and along the walls where they meet the floor. The objective is to create a barrier that prevents bugs from getting just inside the door. I always spray under slide outs and under the bed, as well.

Sometimes basement compartments are not sealed. Items are routinely put in them from the outside, so it is possible for bugs to hitch a ride into the compartment. To be on the safe side, I will spray some bug killer in those compartments about every 6 months while I'm cleaning them out.

Related Read: RV Pest Control: DIY Pest Control

Use Bug Spray Outside

In addition to using bug killer inside, I usually spray key areas outside the rig. I will spray around window vents and around the rubber flap that seals the slide outs. Make sure to spray around wheels and levelers as these are areas that connect your rig to the ground. I found a product for lawns that kills common pests and attaches to a hose. I spray that underneath and around my rig to create a perimeter.

Related Read: RV Pest Control: Signs you might have a Pest Problem

Screens For Your Exhaust

Your furnace vents can be a welcome home for bees and wasps during the summer while they are not being used for heat. Several companies make screens intended to keep nest building bugs out of those openings. You can find them online or any RV store.

There are still a number of other techniques RVers can utilize to discourage bugs from entering their home on wheels. What do you use to keep bugs out of your RV? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below.