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Have you ever returned from a morning of hiking or biking and found ants crawling across your RV countertops? Or have you ever opened the pantry door to find rat droppings?
Spraying ants or setting mouse traps may be a hassle, but it’s better than figuring out what to do with a snake!
One Facebook user opened her camper door to find a slithering serpent inside her RV. Although she handled it pretty calmly, most people in her group were horrified.
Let’s look at what happened and what you can do to prevent critters from getting into your RV this season!
Is It Possible for Wildlife to Get Inside an RV?
RVs aren’t airtight vehicles. They’re not like your Toyota Camry or Jeep Cherokee. They’re also not built like brick-and-mortar buildings. Walking around your house, you probably won’t find holes or openings near corners. Unfortunately, in RVs, you do.
Even with seals around slide-outs and protective coverings around vents, you’ll still see sunlight through a crack. It’s just not possible to completely seal up an RV.
Therefore, getting inside an RV isn’t too difficult for bugs or rodents. They can find their way in through these tiny openings. But thankfully, you can do some things to prevent wildlife from entering your home on wheels.
Facebook User Finds Snake in Her RV
Although it doesn’t happen often, snakes sometimes make appearances in RVs.
This happened to a Facebook user at the end of June. She was parked at Governor Thompson State Park in Crivitz, Wisconsin. Upon opening the entry door, she saw a snake slithering down the interior steps of her fifth wheel.
She posted her experience in a Facebook group and alerted other RVers to keep storage bay doors closed. She was charging her e-bike when the snake entered her camper.
RVers Respond With Both Comical and Fearful Comments
RVers in the user’s Facebook group filled the comments section. Most were terrified that such an event had occurred. Dozens of people said they’d burn the RV down and posted GIFs of fire.
A common theme was, “I’m afraid I might burn the trailer down. I couldn’t ever sleep in it again.” Another group member said, “Time to light it and walk away.”
One member wrote, “There would be a bullet hole in the floor!” Another said, “I would sell the RV and all of its contents because I wouldn’t go back in it.”
One person comically shared, “Keeps the mice away.”
What Animals Are Commonly Found Inside an RV?
If you haven’t encountered any animals in your RV, consider yourself lucky. Most owners have seen a trail of ants crawling along the kitchen countertop or found rat droppings in the corner of a cabinet.
Ladybugs, mosquitos, and spiders will also find their way inside your RV, like in your house. Although rare, you might also encounter a raccoon, opossum, or snake.
What Can You Do to Prevent Critters From Getting Inside Your RV?
Although finding a bug or mouse in your RV is common, you can prevent an infestation. You’d rather relax with a book in a hammock or paddle along a river than deal with rodents.
So it’s best to do your work beforehand so you can enjoy your weekend camping trip.
Use Steel Wool
Mice don’t like to chew through steel wool. So use this around any openings in your RV. They’ll find a more accessible place to enter or just leave your RV alone.
Keep in Mind: Does Leaving Your Car Hood Open Deter Mice? Let’s dive in and see!
Soak Cotton Balls in Peppermint Oil
Mice will stay away if you soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them throughout your RV. This is similar to mothballs but has a better smell for humans. The strong scent irritates the rodent’s sense of smell.
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Seal Off Openings
In an RV, it’s impossible to seal off every opening. Rubber seals won’t always close completely, and you can’t seal pipes. But as much as possible, close any gaps.
Check the rubber seals along the slides to get them flush as much as possible. Use steel wool when you can’t completely close off an opening. This can help deter insects, snakes, and other pests from getting in.
Keep in Mind: Looking for the best RV Roof Sealant? These are the 10 best options on the market!
Keep Your Kitchen Clean
To keep away bugs, you must keep your kitchen clean. You’re constantly going in and out of the RV. Perhaps you open your windows to allow a nice breeze.
If one ant enters your kitchen and starts nibbling crumbs, the rest will follow. Don’t give ants a reason to make their home in your RV.
Don’t Store Your RV in a Grassy Field
Depending on where you live, you may have limited options for storage facilities in the off-season. But if you can, avoid storing your RV in a grassy area.
Rodents, snakes, bugs, and spiders are more likely to find a way into your RV here than a paved concrete slab.
What Would You Do If You Found a Snake in Your RV?
Although the snake was harmless, an unexpected visitor interrupted this RVer’s weekend camping trip. No one wants to open their camper door to find a snake — no matter what kind — slithering across the floor.
So do what you can to prevent such wildlife from entering your RV. Keep rodents out by using steel wool and peppermint cotton balls. Seal off as many openings as possible and keep your kitchen free of messes so you don’t attract bugs.
And when you’re charging those e-bikes, keep your storage bay door closed! What would you do if you found a snake in your RV?
Last update on 2024-05-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
We’ve had ants and spiders, also found signs of mice in a bay. I’m not sure what I’d do if I found a snake, probably move out! We use peppermint oil, as suggested, along with Grandpa Gus products, which are also fragrant oils. In bad ant situations, we’ve sprinkled Comet around the tires. My favorite thing are the custom 3D printed hatch covers for the electrical, water and sewer connections while we’re hooked up! They fit the opening with just room for the hose. I ordered them on Etsy. I was just sure something was going to crawl into a bay before we bought those. I have also used ant baits and glue traps for spiders. We have the Zevo flying insect plug in sticky trap by the door to catch flies and gnats.
I’ve had about 20+ already this summer.
I am in too much grass. They come in through the drivers side front, a few through the passenger. I have glue traps inside. I hate to do that but it’s all I can til I can get it moved.
Try putting in a bit of peanut butter in the trap he will go for it. Mice love peanut butter! Thank you for your video, it has been very informative. We never have gone boondocking, in fact we have only taken our 5th wheel out once since we bought it but are planning on going to Arizona, New Mexico and Texas for the Snow Bird Season.
We have solar panels to help keep the batteries up plus getting a generator installed in the trailer. plus another inverter so we can hook up a crock pot while traveling. How can we keep in touch with you? We would like to reach out with out stories or just questions.