One of the most annoying things that you can encounter while living in an RV is mosquitoes. It can ruin your nighttime with your family or friends seeing a swarm of mosquitoes coming toward you. However, there is no way around it, and you will encounter plenty of mosquitoes and other bugs during your camping adventures. You will never be able to get rid of all the mosquitoes, but there are some tips that you can follow to keep them out of your rig and make summer nights more bearable.
1. Choose the Right Location: Find Somewhere With Less Bugs
The number one advantage of having an RV is that you can live in it and move it somewhere with fewer bugs. You don’t need to camp in the boundary waters of Minnesota all summer when you are going to be miserable the entire time. You have to remember that mosquitoes love water, so it is best to stay away from bodies of water during the summer season.
Avoid any stagnant lake or dense forest of trees and aim for flowing rivers or lands that don’t have that much undergrowth. Deserts are the best location to go to for you to avoid mosquitoes and bugs at the same time.
Also, try and travel to high altitudes because it will not only thin the air, and mountain terrain will keep you cooler at night. When you choose this route, you will be less likely to find any mosquitoes flying around your campsite. Since mosquitoes fly slower at a high altitude, you will be more likely to kill the pesky things before they get to you.
2. Seal Any Cracks and Gaps on Your Rig: Make Sure Everything Is Closed
When avoiding mosquitoes, it goes without saying that you need to keep your doors and windows shut when you are inside the rig. It is the most practical way to keep the mosquitoes out of your RV. Unfortunately, mosquitoes are more likely to be around during the summer season.
Also, your RV will tend to get quite hot during the night when you don’t have an air conditioner, and this is where the bug nets will come in handy. Due to the high cost, plenty of people rather makes their own bug screens with magnetic insect netting.
You need to keep in mind that mosquitoes are so tiny that even a little gap between the netting on your rig and your windows can lead to plenty of bugs coming in. Now, if you do have the budget, some companies produce mosquito nets that are fitted specifically for RVs.
These nets can seal all the way around your door, and you can leave your door open so that you can get plenty of fresh air during the nighttime. Unfortunately, they can be very challenging to find for the specific rig that you have.
Since open doors and windows may not be the only access from the outside, take some time to inspect your rig to see if there are any gaps at the base even though they are fully closed. You can close it with a washcloth between the doors during the summer season to cover the gaps.
Also, it is best to replace the rubber trim that surrounds your doors and windows that has gotten cracked and begun falling apart throughout the years.
3. Consider Getting A Mosquito Net Awning: Your Own Anti-Bug Room
If there is one thing that can save you from the hot summer season is the mosquito net awing or your little anti-bug room. You can buy a mosquito net enclosure that will go with your awning, and it is a lifesaver on more than one occasion. You can sit out in the most mosquito location any time of the day but in the direct sunlight.
The net awning can reinforce shading during the day, so you don’t have to worry about being under the sunlight on hot summer days. The bug net can go around all four sides of your awning as well as the top part. It will do a great job keeping your skin from getting itchy and keeping the mosquitoes out of your space.
4. Use Essential Oils and Candles: One Of The Best Ways to Get Rid of Mosquitoes
Mint is super effective in keeping mosquitoes out of your RV, and it can be used in different ways. You have a mint plant in your rig, and if you have guests over, you can just store it in another room. In remote campsites, you can spray the area with mint essential oil mixtures.
Even month candies and mouthwash has limited effectiveness, but the right concentration of essential oils is often too low to be noticeably useful. Mint is the essential oil at your disposal, but it has a fresh aromatic appeal that most people enjoy.
You can also create your own bug repellent so that you can keep the mosquitoes away from your camp. All you have to do is get a spray bottle and mix a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol into a cup of water. Make sure that you shake it vigorously before each use.
Then, add about ten to 20 drops of your favorite essential oil. There are a few concentrated plant extracts that can repel insects, but you should only use one in one bottle spray mixture. Some of the popular essential oils that can do the job are sage, citronella, mint, lemongrass, and eucalyptus.
5. Candles Can Also Keep the Mosquitoes Away: Very Effective
One of the most effective ways to keep mosquitoes away or any other bugs is to burn candles. However, you would need to burn several candles to keep them away. Now, this method wouldn’t work well on a windy night, and it should probably be reserved for indoor or semi-enclosed spaces.
An added bonus to burning candles is it can reduce cigarette smoke and other odors that might linger around your rig. It makes burning candles a great idea when you have been cooped up inside your rig for a while. If you have any outdoor gatherings, citronella candles offer great benefits with the insect repellant ability of citronella oil.
You can say money on candles if you make them yourself. You can check out my candle website
to know more about how to make your own different types of candles.
6. Use Traditional Bug Sprays or Cream and Bug-Repelling Bracelets
The most useful and obvious technique in keeping the mosquitoes away or any other bugs off is to bring conventional bug sprays or cream. The common ingredient of these creams or sprays is called DEET. The more DEET available on the insect repellent, the more effective the spray or cream will be.
There are some RVers that don’t appreciate the DEET-based sprays or creams for different reasons, such as the smell, potential skin or eye irritation, and other numerous reasons. No matter what these objections are, these repellants are very effective in keeping the mosquitoes away.
Be sure that the repellant you choose is waterproof as well. It is best to spray repellent on your clothes and avoid any direct skin contact if it is possible.
Now, if you can’t stand applying sprays or creams, you can opt for bug-repelling bracelets. You can wear these on your write or fasten them to something nearby. These bracelets can emit bug-repelling chemicals into the air, which will create a shield. It is a good option when you have kids since DEET sprays are not advisable for kids.
Also, most kids don’t have the patience for you to spray them down, so it is still best to opt for using bug-repelling bracelets.
7. Make Sure to Utilize Proper Airflow: Ventilation is Key
No matter what strategies you have already tried, at some point, mosquitoes can still find their way inside the van. Running a 12-volt vent fan throughout the night can be a bit annoying. Mosquitoes are attracted to CO2 that human bodies produce. When you have proper ventilation, you are able to let out some of the CO2.
It means that it won’t be as concentrated in one area, at least that’s what I think. The drone of a fan will prevent some of the irritating buzzing, at least.
8. Build A Campfire Near Your Rig: Mosquitoes Hate Smoke!
Most people build a campfire near their RV since mosquitoes hate smoke. It is a good way to stay outside a bit late into the night and avoid bigs at the same time. It will also give you some time to bond with your friends and family, or even have some alone time while starting up in the sky full of stars.
Building a campfire is one of the most fun solutions to get rid of mosquitoes. Using a fire pit is one of the ways how you can build your own campfire. If you want to know what are the best portable fire pits available for you, here is an article that I have written for you.
9. Wear Extra Layers! No Need to Worry About Mosquito Bites
Make sure that you cover up and wear extra layers to mitigate the mosquito problem you may be facing. You can add light layers that will make you comfortable but will also keep the mosquitoes away. There are fabrics that provide mosquito prevention that you can buy.
One of the best tops that you can buy is the Gamehide ElimiTick Long Sleeve. This shirt works great with mosquitos, gnats, ticks, and so much more. It provides a roomy and comfortable fit which is great when you are staying in your RV. It is made with high-tech wicking polyester and comfortable cuffs that will not irritate your skin.
Lastly, it can also be used for layering different pieces of clothes. The best thing about this long sleeve shirt is it comes in different colors that you can choose from and will match your preferences as well as style.
10. Avoid Any Food That Will Attract Mosquitoes
When you are really desperate for relief, it is best to avoid eating food that will attract mosquitoes. Some of the food include alcohol, salty snacks, high cholesterol foods, Limburger cheese, pickled vegetables, and dairy products. Also, avoid potassium which includes bananas, avocados, and potatoes. Lastly, avoid sweets such as cakes, pies, and any sugary candy.
Now, the list doesn’t leave you with many options. You can eat healthily by sticking to a diet that has plenty of vegetables. Make sure to keep the sweets locked up in your fridge or somewhere with smell-proof and less enticing storage.
11. Be Sure to Stay Hydrated Daily: No Dehydration
There are plenty of reasons to stay hydrated when you are camping or spending time outside of your RV. Extreme heat can lead to dehydration which can put an early end to your outdoor adventure. However, there is more than one reason to make sure that you stay hydrated aside from being happier and healthier.
On hot summer days, you will be most likely to sweat more, and bugs are attracted to hot, sweaty skin. So, when you feel and see that you are beginning to sweat, what you can do is to take a cold, refreshing swig of water.
12. Choose Fragrant-Free Bodycare Products
Whenever you are choosing your hygiene products or toiletries, it is best to purchase ones that are fragrant-free. If you use hygiene products or toiletries, it can draw some unwanted guests, such as mosquitoes. They like the smell of these items as much as you do. Avoid perfumed soaps, shampoos, deodorants, hair care products, colognes, body sprays, perfumes, and aftershave.
It doesn’t mean that you have to go au natural the entire time. Take the time to consider investing in natural toiletries that are unscented and don’t have any infused chemical or artificial fragrances in them.
13. Make Sure That Your Campground is Clean
Remember that a campground that is clean is safe. Since humans are not the only ones who enjoy free meals, mosquitoes and other bugs love the smell of your food and will take any opportunity to grab a snack. This is the reason why you should keep your campground or the area that is surrounding your rig cleaned.
Make sure that you properly dispose of or store food in a large plastic container with a secure lid right after your use them. Do not leave any trash uncovered or let it accumulate, and dispose of your garbage at a designated trash bin as soon as possible.
When you are done eating, make sure that you wash dishes right away and before you leave the campground site or go to bed, make sure that you leave no traces of food left behind.
Mosquitoes Are Such Buzz Kill!
Bugs are everywhere, whether you are in an RV or a stationary home. We just have to accept the fact that it comes with the environment. Following the tips that I have provided above can help make sure that you won’t have to worry about swarms of mosquitoes around or inside your rig. Taking proper precautions like covering your body, closing your doors and windows, and keeping your van well-ventilated are some of the examples that will provide you with a comfortable experience in your RV. If you want to know how to keep an indoor garden in your RV, here is an article that I have written for you.
