For most RV owners, their camper isn’t just a vehicle—it’s a second home. Most camper models are built to give all the comforts of home while you’re enjoying the outdoor lifestyle. This way of traveling has become so popular that many people have given up their stationary homes altogether in favor of a more nomadic lifestyle. However, living in an RV is not for everyone and there are some things to consider before you decide to do so.
At RV Station Colbert, we’re committed to helping you get the best RV for you and keeping it in great shape for extended use. Come to our dealership in Oklahoma to see our vast collection of RVs and ask our staff for tips about short- and long-term RV living.
Budget Carefully
We know that most of us aren’t that fond of doing math and calculating every expenditure, but this is something you need to do. Set a realistic budget so you know what RVs you can afford. Too low of a budget will leave you with models that may not perform well or last long, while too high of a budget may leave you reeling under the financial strain. Research the average cost of an RV and see which models have the features that you definitely want in your camper. Leave a little wiggle room in your budget if possible so that you can spend (or save) a little more and not feel the pinch.
Keep A Travel Budget
You need to have a month-to-month breakdown of your recurring expenses if you’re going to be living out of your RV. This should include RV payments, gas, campground fees, food, insurance, maintenance and repairs, phone and internet, emergency expenses and anything else that will affect your budget when you start living in your camper. Calculate how much you can afford to spend each month and compare it to the breakdown you’ve made. This should help you decide where you can make some cutbacks and how you can adjust the budget to realistically fit your needs.
The coziness and security of your recreational vehicle ensures that you and your family feel warm, safe and at home whenever you travel. However, you’re not the only living creatures that seek that same comfort. Pests of all stripes will also want to make your RV their home. These invaders may take the form of insects or rodents, and either way, they can do a great deal of damage and simply make you feel uncomfortable with their presence. And once they begin to breed, your problems compound.
So what’s a responsible camper owner to do? This guide to dealing with RV pests by your friends at RV Station Colbert, serving southern Oklahoma, should be of some use to you. If you’re struggling with any RV concerns, come talk to us about them and we’ll help you find a solution.
Rodents
Mice, rats and other small scurrying animals can easily find their way into a hole you’ve forgotten to patch up.They’ll chew through your wiring, causing a fire hazard and damaging your electronics, and they can leave droppings and chewed up material all over the rig in addition to wrecking the frame. Using mouse traps and rat poison can help, but you’ll really want to ensure that rodents can’t get in at all.
Examine your RV for any holes in the exterior or interior that might allow rodents to crawl through them. If the animals have chewed their own entryways, you’ll need to block these up, too.
Insects
Bugs are everywhere and they’re so small that they can easily access indoor places. Removing food will be one of the best strategies you have for preventing them from entering your home. Ants and other insects like roaches sniff out all those crumbs, and will even seek out pet food. Keeping your RV clean will help to reduce insect populations. You can even vacuum up ants you see and empty your vacuum canister outdoors, far from your RV.
If bugs have already made their way into your camper, you’ll need to determine where they might be coming from and plug that gap up. Roach infestations can be dangerous to your family’s health in addition to being gross, so you’ll want to nip them in the bud right away. Insecticides are one strategy, but they can be harsh and also toxic to kids and pets, so you’ll need to apply them with care.
Strategy: Scent Deterrents
Want a way to ward off pests of all types? Make use of strongly-scented deterrents that make animals turn up their nose and seek other, less odiferous shelter. Mothballs are ideal for this, since they’re made to discourage moths and silverfish, but they’re also great for spiders, snakes and mice. They are toxic, though, so keep them away from children and pets and don’t put them around any food. The aroma is pretty strong, so this might not be something you wish to pursue.
Spray mixtures are another common strategy for reducing ant and insect populations. These usually mix components like strong spices or ammonia or dish soap with water to send bugs away. If you have an issue with fruit flies, get a plastic takeout container, poke holes in the lid, fill it with some apple cider vinegar and leave it on the counter. Flies will be drawn into the vinegar and drowned.
Ready to find the perfect camper for your upcoming summer trips? Visit our location in Colbert, Oklahoma, to tour our full inventory of new and used RVs for sale. RV Station Colbert proudly serves our customers just across the Red River in the cities of Sherman, McKinney and Gainesville, Texas.
This information is for educational purposes. VIARV shall not be responsible nor retain liability for RVer’s use of the provided information. Prior to making any RV service decision, you are advised to consult with an RV professional.