During the summer it’s not unusual to see populations of insects in and around static caravans. When the weather is hot we tend to keep windows and doors open to let the air circulate but of course, these are ideal entry points for insects, flying bugs and arachnids.
There are any number of chemical sprays that will kill flies and other bugs but actually there are ways that you can reduce their numbers dramatically without breathing in these chemicals and here are some of the best deterrents:
Mosquito mesh for static caravans
Widely available online or from local and national suppliers, fly or insect screens can be purchased to fit yourself or have a professional install. The mesh can also be purchased in rolls so that you can cut it to size and attach it with tape or Wonder Web to your windows. If you choose to use the temporary mesh you should also invest in some beaded curtains to hang at doors and French windows because they make it difficult for flying insects to penetrate.
Peppermint Oil
This oil is a fantastic natural repellent for insects, ants, bed bugs, roaches, fleas, moths, spiders and moths. Peppermint oil can be bought online, in chemists or aromatherapy shops. Pure, concentrated oil can be mixed with water in a spray bottle and used all over your caravan to rid the van of this wide variety of pests. Around 10 drops to a half litre container will work.
Having mixed your oil and water you can spray in all the places that bugs tend to hide, on the window frames and around the doors. You can also spray outside around your static caravan. If you have an ant problem you can really test this out by spraying the ants with the mixture and they will disappear, not returning for up to a month even if it rains in between.
Spiders detest peppermint oil so if you suffer from arachnophobia you should always keep a bottle handy. As an arachnophobe, I acknowledge that I have an irrational fear and that it is not the spider’s fault I am frightened of it! Hence, I don’t like the idea of killing them but take the view that they have a million places to live other than in holiday static caravans, and more particularly in mine! Peppermint oil doesn’t kill them but it does keep them away. Be careful not to saturate areas spray as this could cause mould – and that’s another problems altogether.
Cinnamon Bark or Powder
Sprinkling cinnamon powder from the grocer or (or cinnamon bark) where ants are thriving throws off their pheromones and makes them confused and get lost. Once they lose their way, they won’t infest this location any longer.
Natural air freshener
An additional bonus is that caravans smell fresh all the time when you spray the interior with the oil. There are other oils that work such as lavender, cedarwood, citronella, spearmint, tea tree and citrus but having tried them all I have found that peppermint is the most effective.
If you have another suggestion about how to keep insects out of static caravans, we’d love to hear from you.
