RV Pest Control: Signs you might have a Pest Problem
09-10-2015
Author: in Education
It’s pretty much a given that if you live in an RV, you are going to have some pests. You will get flies, probably ants, and even the occasional roach. However, when you reach that tipping point where a minor annoyance becomes a pest problem, it is time to take action. RV pest control is sometimes necessary.
My husband has been in pest control for more than 25 years. I’ve learned a lot just listening to him, but today I am picking his brain about the top four pests that typically invade an RV.
Moth Flies
These are nasty little creatures that live on sewage and organic matter. When you see them it usually means that you have a drainage problem or that your black water tank needs to be flushed. You may see these tiny black or gray gnat-like insects fly out of your toilet or drains, or you may see them on the walls or shower curtain. Usually one or two isn’t such a big deal in an RV. The way the space is constructed it is pretty difficult to get away from it completely and, much as it pains me to say this (I loathe the little critters) in small numbers they are considered beneficial. They help break down drain clogging material.
You can get rid of moth flies by getting rid of whatever gunk is in your drain. Drain cleaner won’t kill them so dumping a bottle down your drain won’t help you. You are going to have to identify the problem and deal with it directly, whether it is junk in your drain or your black water tank needs to be flushed.
Roaches
There are three types of roaches that you are likely to see in your RV. The American cockroach is that big, brownish, gnarly, flying roach. OK, maybe more like glide from somewhere high. Still, they get airborne. They are outside insects, but once they get inside and start breeding you can get an infestation pretty quickly. German cockroaches are small, brown and love the warmth of indoors. Some folks call them “kitchen roaches” with is just grosser. Asian roaches look almost exactly like German roaches except they can fly. Thankfully, Asian roaches are not much of a problem because they prefer the outdoors but they can get inside now and then. Asian roaches are not known to carry disease, however their German and American cousins do – nasty critters.
Roaches, like most insects, enter your domicile, RV or otherwise, looking for three things: harborage, food, and water. Keeping your space clean and clutter free will help prevent an RV roach invasion. Don’t leave food out, don’t leave water in the sink, and wipe down counters and tables to remove any food debris. Avoid clutter as much as possible so they have nowhere to hide. You may still see one or two because, well, you live in an RV, but a swift shoe or book should make short work of your pest control.
There’s a problem when you start seeing roaches hanging out on your counters or walls during the day or while you are up. They are nocturnal and very shy, preferring to hide in cabinets and drawers until the lights are off and the humans are deep in slumber. So, basically, if you see them, you likely have a problem.
Palmetto Bugs
Many people call them roaches but they are actually different. And they are great flyers. You can distinguish them from the American cockroach by their color. Where American roaches are usually a brownish color or black with a brown band on the head, palmetto bugs are usually solid black. They don’t usually come inside, preferring the great outdoors (thank goodness for small favors!). They are prevalent in the Southeast and areas that are humid and warm.
Ants
Ants are more of an annoyance than they are a health hazard. They are not known to carry or transmit disease to humans. But boy they sure can be a pain in the neck when you see them marching across your kitchen counter! That marching, or trailing, is in response to a pheromone that is laid down by the ants. It is designed to be the ant equivalent of road signs pointing to the food or water source they have found.
Messing with the trail causes mass confusion on the part of the ants. Eventually, though, they will regroup and lay down their trail again so the first thing you want to do to combat an ant invasion is to find out where they are getting in. Make sure that doors and windows are well sealed. Next, go outside and find the nest. You can treat it but you are still left with the ants inside.
There are a couple of ways you can get rid of ants in your RV. Vacuuming them up works well if there are a lot of them. While this will not kill them it will provide a good vehicle for you to get them out of your house. Just make sure you empty your bag outside and don’t let any riders come back in when you bring your vacuum back in. You can also mix water and a few drops of dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture directly on the ants then just wipe them up. A bleach solution or lemon juice will remove their pheromone trail.
In my next segment of RV Pest Control here on MobileRVing I will discuss various DIY pest control techniques that you can use. If there are any particular pests that you would like to see addressed in this series, or if you have any questions let me know in the comments below and I will do my best to address them.
My husband has been in pest control for more than 25 years. I’ve learned a lot just listening to him, but today I am picking his brain about the top four pests that typically invade an RV.
Moth Flies
These are nasty little creatures that live on sewage and organic matter. When you see them it usually means that you have a drainage problem or that your black water tank needs to be flushed. You may see these tiny black or gray gnat-like insects fly out of your toilet or drains, or you may see them on the walls or shower curtain. Usually one or two isn’t such a big deal in an RV. The way the space is constructed it is pretty difficult to get away from it completely and, much as it pains me to say this (I loathe the little critters) in small numbers they are considered beneficial. They help break down drain clogging material.
You can get rid of moth flies by getting rid of whatever gunk is in your drain. Drain cleaner won’t kill them so dumping a bottle down your drain won’t help you. You are going to have to identify the problem and deal with it directly, whether it is junk in your drain or your black water tank needs to be flushed.
Roaches
There are three types of roaches that you are likely to see in your RV. The American cockroach is that big, brownish, gnarly, flying roach. OK, maybe more like glide from somewhere high. Still, they get airborne. They are outside insects, but once they get inside and start breeding you can get an infestation pretty quickly. German cockroaches are small, brown and love the warmth of indoors. Some folks call them “kitchen roaches” with is just grosser. Asian roaches look almost exactly like German roaches except they can fly. Thankfully, Asian roaches are not much of a problem because they prefer the outdoors but they can get inside now and then. Asian roaches are not known to carry disease, however their German and American cousins do – nasty critters.
Roaches, like most insects, enter your domicile, RV or otherwise, looking for three things: harborage, food, and water. Keeping your space clean and clutter free will help prevent an RV roach invasion. Don’t leave food out, don’t leave water in the sink, and wipe down counters and tables to remove any food debris. Avoid clutter as much as possible so they have nowhere to hide. You may still see one or two because, well, you live in an RV, but a swift shoe or book should make short work of your pest control.
There’s a problem when you start seeing roaches hanging out on your counters or walls during the day or while you are up. They are nocturnal and very shy, preferring to hide in cabinets and drawers until the lights are off and the humans are deep in slumber. So, basically, if you see them, you likely have a problem.
Palmetto Bugs
Many people call them roaches but they are actually different. And they are great flyers. You can distinguish them from the American cockroach by their color. Where American roaches are usually a brownish color or black with a brown band on the head, palmetto bugs are usually solid black. They don’t usually come inside, preferring the great outdoors (thank goodness for small favors!). They are prevalent in the Southeast and areas that are humid and warm.
Ants
Ants are more of an annoyance than they are a health hazard. They are not known to carry or transmit disease to humans. But boy they sure can be a pain in the neck when you see them marching across your kitchen counter! That marching, or trailing, is in response to a pheromone that is laid down by the ants. It is designed to be the ant equivalent of road signs pointing to the food or water source they have found.
Messing with the trail causes mass confusion on the part of the ants. Eventually, though, they will regroup and lay down their trail again so the first thing you want to do to combat an ant invasion is to find out where they are getting in. Make sure that doors and windows are well sealed. Next, go outside and find the nest. You can treat it but you are still left with the ants inside.
There are a couple of ways you can get rid of ants in your RV. Vacuuming them up works well if there are a lot of them. While this will not kill them it will provide a good vehicle for you to get them out of your house. Just make sure you empty your bag outside and don’t let any riders come back in when you bring your vacuum back in. You can also mix water and a few drops of dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture directly on the ants then just wipe them up. A bleach solution or lemon juice will remove their pheromone trail.
In my next segment of RV Pest Control here on MobileRVing I will discuss various DIY pest control techniques that you can use. If there are any particular pests that you would like to see addressed in this series, or if you have any questions let me know in the comments below and I will do my best to address them.
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