Outdoor PestsBugs

How To Keep Bugs Out of Camper

How To Keep Bugs Out Of Camper

There is no better way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city than to go camping. Dwelling in nature and enjoying the fantastic sights and sounds is bliss!

Unfortunately, you are not the only one who wants to enjoy the bliss nature offers outdoors. Many animals and insects dwell naturally in the woods and large expanses of land.

You are sure to encounter them when you go camping. So, how do you keep them out of your camper?

We will walk you through some helpful tips in this guide. Here we go!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

A bug infestation is the last thing you want to worry about while camping. If you don’t want these unwanted visitors in or around your camper, below are some foolproof deterrent strategies you can deploy:

  • Always keep the camper and its environment clean.
  • Apply chemical-based bug spray in and around your camper.
  • Look out for cracks and other small openings bugs can enter through on your camper.
  • Turn off exterior lights at night. If you must leave them on, use the yellow-colored ones instead.

These are four bug-deterring ideas you can apply to keep bugs at bay from your camper.

We discussed these and five more in the guide.

In the following sections, we will walk you through nine practical ways to frighten bugs away from your camper.

Also, we will answer some frequently asked questions about deterring outdoor-loving insects from campers.

9 Ways To Keep Bugs Out of Camper

Ways To Keep Bugs Out Of Camper

So long as you spend time camping, you will encounter insects, especially bugs.

There is no need to worry, though. You can keep them as far away from you as you want.

Below, we considered some practical ways to keep bugs out of your camper:

1. Keep the Surrounding Area Clean

Keep The Surrounding Area Clean

One excellent way to keep bugs away from campers is to ensure that the area surrounding the vehicle is clean.

Pick up every litter or exposed food lying around. Avoid littering the space. Instead, you should trash all waste properly.

Seal up all trash bags and keep some steps away from your camper. An exposed trash bag will attract bugs as they are attracted to food and dirt.

After eating, wipe down your table and remove all traces of food that can attract insects.

Immediately after eating, wash up all your dishes and keep them clean.

2. Use a Window Screen

Use A Window Screen

Most people go camping in the summer when it is often scorching. You may feel like sitting out in the open for fresh air. That may prove impossible because of the bugs and insects flying around.

Another option would be to open the entrance door of your camper while you sit in it. This is a great idea, except you will open your doors for bugs to swarm in. If you must open your door, you should use a window screen.

A window screen is a net attached to a door frame or a window frame. It can be made of plastic wire, fiberglass, or metal. It is often fixed with a stable door and faces the outside.

When the door or window is open, the window screen remains closed. This way, it lets fresh air in while it keeps the bugs out.

3. Use Bug Spray Around Your Camper

Use Bug Spray Around Your Camper

You should use bug spray if you spend some days in nature camping.

Spray a chemical-based bug spray around the perimeter of your camper. Please leave it to sit for a few hours to avoid choking you.

With this, you can sit outside your camper and be free from bugs and insects.

If it rains, you may have to reapply the bug spray, as the rain will wash it away.

4. Look Out for Any Cracks or Leaks

Look Out For Any Cracks Or Leaks

Another way to keep bugs out of your camper is to ensure there are no entry points for them to enter.

You may keep your camper clean and pack up all the trash but still have bugs disturbing you. If this is the case, it is time to look for any cracks or leaks in your camper.

Also, check for broken windows or doors that may let bugs into your camper. Fix all the cracks and leaks.

If you are camping, you can use duct tape to cover those places until you can get to a repair shop in town.

5. Turn Your Exterior Lights Off

Turn Your Exterior Lights Off

The easiest way to keep bugs and insects away is to turn off your exterior lights.

Insects are generally attracted to bright lights and often hit themselves against the light.

If you can’t keep your exterior lights off, you can try switching them out for yellow-colored ones.

With this, bugs will stay away from the camper.

6. Use Electric Fly Swatters

Use Electric Fly Swatters

The electric fly swatter will kill any insect lurking around with one swat.

These electric fly swatters are made of wire and shaped like a tennis bat. They are powered by electricity and will work after a full charge.

To use it, you need to wave it around inside your camper, which will trap and kill any insect in its path.

You will hear a crackling sound whenever it catches any insect.

You don’t need to clean it after use. Just turn it off and keep it dry, away from moisture.

7. Use Essential Oils

Use Essential Oils

Unlike humans, many insects do not like the smell of most essential oils.

Oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, jojoba oil, etc., are essential oils.

To apply them in deterring bugs from your camper, you can add some drops of the oil to a water and soap solution.

Spray it in various areas of your camper.

You can also drop some oil into a diffuser and keep it in the corner of your camper. This will drive any bug flying around.

8. Choose a Good Camp Destination

Choose A Good Camp Destination

The destination for camping is a factor that most people often overlook.

Of course, you would go camping outdoors. However, you’ve got to be careful about choosing a good spot before pitching your tent.

Stagnant and dirty water sources often attract many types of insects.

Check around and set up your camp in areas without any lakes or stationary water sources.

If you must stay in such regions, move reasonably from the water source before setting up.

9. Use a Thermacell Patio Shield

Use A Thermacell Patio Shield

Here is one more way to shut your camper’s door against bugs.

Even with the repellant bug spray, you may still need extra protection.

A Thermacell Patio Shield is an insect repellant that works very effectively. It kills all insects within a foot radius.

Place it on a table and sit outside while enjoying a bug-free evening.

Conclusion

Camping is a fun outdoor activity for you and your family to enjoy. Unfortunately, you are not the only one who can stay outdoors – insects do too!

Above, we outlined some tricks that can help you have an incredible camp experience that is bug-free.

To recap, you can use a window screen, diffuse bug spray, and seal any cracks or leaks in your camper.

Other bug-deterring ideas are to turn exterior lights off, use electric fly swatters, apply essential oils, etc.

More importantly, always keep your camper clean and choose a good camping destination before setting up.

With these strategies rightly deployed, you can surely have a fantastic time in your camper.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Naturally Keeps Bugs Away?

Natural scents like peppermint oil, lavender, tea tree, citronella, lemongrass, etc., will keep bugs away.

So, if you prefer going natural in deterring bugs from campers, these natural items will do an excellent job.

Can I Spray My Tent With Bug Spray?

Absolutely, yes! If you don’t mind the smell and the allergic reactions they sometimes trigger, you can use bug sprays on clothing, tents, and in the near surroundings.

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