The indoor air quality of any residence is important for your health. If you are staying in a luxurious motorhome that has mold or is infected with mice, then you are going to have difficulty breathing. The most likely time for mold to occur or critters to invade is during the long winter. Luckily, there are steps you can take to keep these unhealthy invaders out of your RV while it’s in winter storage.
Drain the Lines and Tanks
You know that it’s important to empty water lines to prevent them from freezing, but RV owners in warm climates should also completely drain lines before storing the camper. When water stays in the supply lines or one of the waste tanks, it can mold and attract insects. There is also the risk that a fitting could break, allowing water to leak into your RV and cause serious damage. If you know your RV won’t be used for more than a month, it’s wise to take the time to drain all water lines and blow air through them with a compressor. If you live in cold climates, follow this treatment with food-safe RV antifreeze.
Keep the Rats and Mice Away
Nobody likes the thought of opening up their camper and finding little mouse droppings everywhere. In addition to being a health hazard, rodents may chew your supply lines, damage electrical connections and cause serious harm to your camper. The best way to keep rodents out is to remove all foodstuffs from the camper, including canned foods, toothpaste and birdseed. Even spices can lure them to your cabinets, so it’s best to take anything edible out and store it in your home. Cover openings to block possible entrances. Squirrels may decide to move in for shelter from the wind, but sealing little holes will protect your valuable camper. Cut the legs off some old nylon pantyhose and drop a collection of mothballs in the feet. These homemade bags can be hung around the bottom of your camper on the outside to keep critters away. The smell may not be pleasant if the camper is next to your house, so you may decide to skip this step. However, you should follow through with this if your camper stays at a seasonal campground or other storage area.
Watch Those Insects
Keep ants, insects and spiders out of your camper while it’s in storage. Cover propane line opening with plastic and a twist tie. Use an index card attached to the twist tie to mark what it feeds. Place ant traps in the kitchen, and use distilled white vinegar to wipe down the kitchen and remove any traces of old ant trails. Check around the camper for bee or hornet nests and carefully remove them.
With the right steps, you can avoid problems from mold, mildew, broken lines, rodents and insects. When it’s time to open the camper, you won’t have to deal with the health hazards associated with these problems. It will take a little time to properly prepare your camper for winter storage, but you will be rewarded with improved air quality the next time you use it.
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