Motorhome pest control

Wherever you are going and whatever you are doing on your travels, there is one thing it’s important not to overlook: motorhome pest control.

Enjoying life on the road with your nearest and dearest is one thing, but the last thing you want when you are having an adventure in the great outdoors is unwanted guests: critters!

Pests, insects and vermin can be a real worry if they invade in your motorhome.

It’s not just the damage they could cause to your vehicle, including the wiring and insulation, it’s the potential health risks to you and your fellow travellers.

Here a few things you can do to help prevent an invasion – and some tips, should you already have these unwanted visitors.

Hygiene

It’s the most obvious solution: be absolutely scrupulous about keeping your motorhome clean and tidy, and be really careful about how you store food.

Keep any open food in airtight containers, preferably metal because mice cannot chew through it.

Clean down surfaces carefully and thoroughly after preparing food.

If there is food waste, wrap it up before putting it in the bin.

Make sure bins inside and outside have fully closing lids – empty them regularly.

Sometimes, giving your motorhome a good clean isn’t enough: every time you return from a trip, give it a really deep clean – don’t give any critters the opportunity to invade. Remove cushions and bedding, and take out any clothing and food.

It’s also a good idea to take out any paper – kitchen roll, toilet roll, notebooks – when the motorhome is not in use as this makes ideal nesting material.

Give me a sign

There are a few things to look out – some are more obvious than others.

Droppings on the floor or surfaces are a sure sign that mice have got in.

There could be lots of insects around the doors and windows.

There is damage to some items in your cupboards or on your furnishings.

There’s an odd smell in the motorhome.

Nests – a wasp, bird or rodent.

Check your motorhome

Inspect your motorhome for cracks and any gaps as these are ideal spaces for vermin. Even the tiniest of gaps can be navigated by slugs and mice and unsurprisingly, ants can make their way through the slimmest of hairline cracks.

Check connection points and have a thorough examination of the floor – especially corners – to ensure there are no gaps.

When it comes to flying insects, such as mosquitoes, bees and wasps, install screens on your windows and doors.

And if you have vents, cover them with metal mesh or wire – not plastic, as mice and rats can make easy work of these. Do not cover vents entirely, though, as they are important to prevent condensation and also to keep your motorhome ventilated.

If there are gaps by gas pipe joints, don’t infill them completely. Instead, use wire mesh.

Prevention

Some people swear by ultrasonic insect repellent devices, other people like to use peppermint oil or fresh peppermint to help deter pests.

When your motorhome is empty or being stored for winter, as well as being making sure it is thoroughly clean, put in mothballs (interestingly, mice hate the smell!) or other insect repellents to help keep pests at bay. Close all windows and doors properly.

If you follow these motorhome pest control steps and remain vigilant, you can enjoy critter-free travel all year round!