Pests

[mlhamm]

Wondering how others manage to keep pests out of their motorhome; such as ants, mice, cockroaches. Any and all advice appreciated.

Thanks,
Larry

[be happy]

I am a firm beleiver in moth balls for winter storage. For years I have used them, I am sure more than needed. I have not a mice problems at all. The last few years I have added those plug in sonic things to keep mice out also.

As for the summer type friends I think they are harder to control and have not even tried.

[kwilliams]

We are not full time, so our solution may not apply. After each trip, we remove any food and wipe down the counters. Cleaning the refrigerator and sink has resulted in no pests. When camping, we ensure no hose or power is exposed to the surface of the ground. We also keep a mat at the steps. Pests you’ve describe are attracted to food, so seal any grains, cereals, etc. in sealable containers. As for our pets which may pickup pests, we routinely check them when returning from a walk. So, far these measures have prevented pests from establishing a home in our RV.

[kwilliams]

Originally Posted by be happy

I am a firm beleiver in moth balls for winter storage. For years I have used them, I am sure more than needed. I have not a mice problems at all. The last few years I have added those plug in sonic things to keep mice out also.



As for the summer type friends I think they are harder to control and have not even tried.

As for moth balls, they are toxic to pets especially dogs. If the moth balls are removed from the RV after winter storage, probably not a concern.

Ken

[Dippytwo]

I use Ortho Home Defense Max. I spay it on the outside around the MH and also on the inside along the edges of the floor and any opening that I think bugs can come in. I also use some type of ant killer that I can put on any ant hills or trails that I see.

[JamieGeek]

We're similar to kwilliams since we don't full-time it. Whenever we put the unit back into the storage lot its empty..no food to attract pests.

Our storage lot has a few dogs wandering around too..that keeps the mice and such down (or eaten ).

[Bob Denman]

Peppermint oil seems to work fine for us...
Put out a few cotton balls that have been soaked with it.

[Az Ernie]

X2 for peppermint oil on cotton balls. Seems to work well.

[Travelin' Texans]

The moth balls may keep pest out , but they'll also keep me out, they stink!
We have the sonic devices also & spray the Home Defense inside & out, no bugs, no critters & no stink.

[Bob Denman]

It DOES tend to keep your sinuses cleared.

[mlhamm]

Thanks for the responses. We'll be full-timers come this summer. One reply said they keep hoses, etc off the ground. How do you do that? Do you suspend them from something?

Thanks,
Lary

[kwilliams]

Originally Posted by mlhamm

Thanks for the responses. We'll be full-timers come this summer. One reply said they keep hoses, etc off the ground. How do you do that? Do you suspend them from something?

Thanks,
Lary

Hoses and power cables lengths can be reduced by not uncoiling the full length on the ground surface. Many items, ant beds are near power junction boxes, thus attempt to limit using your power and water lines as a bridge to your unit.

Ken

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by kwilliams

Hoses and power cables lengths can be reduced by not uncoiling the full length on the ground surface. Many items, ant beds are near power junction boxes, thus attempt to limit using your power and water lines as a bridge to your unit.

Ken

Fortunately modern RV's now have the disconnects outside the RV for power, water, etc. (Sewer is usually below).

Our old 5th wheel had the old type of power: the wire just went into a hole in the wall (there was a recess that the plug could ride in). It was an ant highway straight to the inside of the unit.

Our Axis the power line has an outside marine type connector sealed. We did see a line of ants once: going straight up the outside wall from the power connector--they never got inside and a quick squirt from the host knocked them all off.

[revjeffrey]

I like the Glue Pads. That way I can see what I'm dealing with. Clean and odorless.

[Bob Denman]

Glue Pads: the insects World's La Brea Tar-Pits...

[awkmon]

Irish Spring soap has always worked for us. I buy a large package at Costco and cut each bar into 4 pieces and distribute around the basement and put some in the cubbies that would be entry points.

[mcr1010]

Originally Posted by awkmon

Irish Spring soap has always worked for us. I buy a large package at Costco and cut each bar into 4 pieces and distribute around the basement and put some in the cubbies that would be entry points.

Same here on the Irish Spring soap. Change it out several times a year. Under the hood also as we have had neighbors with $$ wire destruction from the little rodents and squirrels.

[Grgdmsn]

We use scented dryer sheets and have one sheet in every drawer and cupboard. Work great. Haven't found any signs of mice for last three years that We have been using them. We also use some repellent bags that we get at rv store. Many horse people use them in their horse trailers. We spray Ortho for bugs.

[kwilliams]

Originally Posted by mlhamm

Wondering how others manage to keep pests out of their motorhome; such as ants, mice, cockroaches. Any and all advice appreciated.

Thanks,
Larry

http://www.loveyourrv.com/stop-ants-rv-power-cable/

Ken

[kwilliams]

Originally Posted by mlhamm

Wondering how others manage to keep pests out of their motorhome; such as ants, mice, cockroaches. Any and all advice appreciated.

Thanks,
Larry

http://www.loveyourrv.com/tips-keep-mice-rv/

Ken