Insect-Proofing Your RV: Creative Solutions to Keep Bugs Out

RV Life

Bugs inside your RV are never fun. Sure, we all enjoy the great outdoors while we’re camping. But when I go into my rig, I really want a bug-free space where I can relax. Unfortunately because RVs tend to be parked on grass, under trees, and in wilderness areas, we’ve had plenty of problems with bugs in our RV. The good news? Insect-proofing your RV is totally possible.

Here are some tips I’ve learned over the years.

Seal Everything Up

First and foremost, you’ll want to seal up every possible entry point on the RV. Use RV sealant to close gaps around doors, windows, vents, roof extrusions, etc. Also use expanding foam to seal gaps around plumbing and wiring. For small holes, try stuffing fine steel wool into crevices before sealing. It’s a cheap and effective deterrent for crawling insects and rodents.

Not sure you got all the gaps? Turn off all lights in your RV at night, go outside with a flashlight, and shine it around seams and vents. Any light escaping is a potential bug entrance.

Upgrade Your Screens

Sometimes RV screen doors aren’t enough to keep the swarm of bugs out. Especially if the door has holes or gets opened frequently. One easy way to solve this problem is by using magnetic screen curtains for doors. They’re easy to install, self-closing, and pet-friendly.

Need a way to keep bugs out while the windows are open? You can reinforce existing screens with mesh fabric designed for “no-see-ums” (tiny flying insects that laugh at regular screens).

If you’re dealing with holes in your screens, it is possible to add screen patches in fun shapes (like stars or animals) to repair small tears. I love this idea because it’s functional but also adds a bit of character to your home-on-wheels.

Install Bug-Proof Vent Covers

RV vents are essential. Without them, we wouldn’t have fans, refrigerators, water heaters, etc. That said, they are also an open invitation to any little critter who might want to enter your rig. Luckily, there is a solution that will help with insect-proofing your RV.

In order to keep bugs from getting in via the vents, replace standard vent covers with insect-proof versions that include built-in mesh. If that’s not an option, cut aluminum window screen mesh and secure it inside with high-heat-resistant tape or zip ties.

Either way, you’ll end up with a fine screen that keeps bugs from squeezing through. Just make sure to clean it regularly so air can get where it needs to go!

Clean and Repel

Crumbs, spills, and food smells will absolutely attract pests. After all, most bugs love a good snack, and if you leave something out, they’re going after it. The best way to take care of this is, of course, to clean up messes immediately using a vinegar solution. Also, avoid leaving food and trash out.

Once everything is clean, use natural deterrents like bay leaves in your pantry and peppermint oil sprays around entryways. You can also make your own bug-repelling sachets with dried lavender, cedar chips, or citrus peels and tuck them into drawers and cabinets. All of these scents repel many insects but are safe for humans and pets, and in my opinion they all smell amazing, so you’ll get an air freshener to boot.

Light Smarter

Bright white lights attract bugs like a porch light cliché. If you leave a bright exterior light on near the door, you’re sure to have lots of bugs by the end of the night, as a few will fly in every time the door is opened.

Luckily, it’s super easy to fix this. Replace exterior lights with yellow LED bug lights, which are far less attractive to insects. Inside, use motion-activated or directional lighting to reduce constant illumination. This will really help with insect-proofing your RV.

Create a Bug-Free Outdoor Zone

Your RV door opens to the outdoors, meaning every time it is opened, there is the potential for bugs to get in. That said, if you make the space right outside of your RV door a bug-free zone, the little critters are much less likely to fly in when the door is opened.

Set up a screen tent or mesh gazebo right outside your RV door. An awning screen room is ideal for this. Turn on fans and ultrasonic bug-repelling devices to keep bugs at bay. Use battery-powered bug zappers to get rid of bugs who make their way into your space.

You can also place pots of insect-repelling herbs like basil, citronella, and mint around your outdoor setup. These will play double duty because they smell nice and help keep bugs away.

Use RV Skirting

Certain kinds of bugs are drawn to the shady, damp environment under your rig. While many of them will stay under the RV, you’re more likely to see these little critters crawl into your RV if they’re living underneath. This is an especially big problem if your RV is stationary and you’re parked on grass or dirt.

To prevent this, use insulated or fabric skirting with mesh barriers at the bottom of your rig. Some RVers go a step further and add a layer of diatomaceous earth or crushed volcanic rock around the perimeter—it’s harmless to people but deadly to crawling insects.

Routine Bug Checks & Maintenance

Like any home, an RV needs regular TLC. This means making repairs in a timely manner, following the maintenance schedule, and routinely checking for pests. Make insect-checks part of your travel routine so you catch any problems and can nip them in the bud early on.

You may also want to keep a “bug patrol” checklist on your phone with reminders to inspect screens, check for droppings, and refresh natural repellents. I recommend using the RV Life Maintenance app for this, as it helps keep everything organized in one place and will even send you reminders.

As you can see, there are a number of steps you can take toward insect-proofing your RV. Make sure to implement these ideas before your next trip. You might be surprised by what a difference they can make!