Eliminating carpenter ants from an RV camper is challenging but not impossible. Your ant problem can be easily solved with commercial products like carpenter ant spray and ant traps.
Or, you can opt for a more eco-friendly solution and use natural household items such as vinegar and baking soda.
Read on the learn the best ways to get rid of ants from your camper and keep these pesky insects away in the future.
Commercial Solutions
The recommended solution for getting rid of carpenter ants inside or outside the RV is simply spraying them and their possible entry points with carpenter ant spray.
Spraying Inside
Locate where the worker ants enter your RV and direct the spray onto their path. You can also spray where you see them around the camper.
Here are some tips on where to spray inside the RV:
- Cupboards and drawers
- Along the floorboards
- Window sills
- Inside the fridge (remove food)
- The inner side of the camper’s front door (and the back door, if you have one)
This will kill ants but is also dangerous to other animals and humans. After the aerosol dissipates and dries, the air becomes safe, but the surfaces will still be poisonous.
Before spraying, cover all food and remove your pets and children from the camper. Take a deep breath, hold it, spray, and leave the camper immediately.
Spraying Outside
Spraying outside the camper can help you stop any ant trails. You can spray anywhere ants can get on the RV, including:
- Windows and doors
- Levelers, jacks, stabilizers
- Tires
- Roof
- Electrical and sewer cords, and outlets
Using Granular Ant Bait
Another possible solution for a carpenter ant problem is to sprinkle granular ant bait. This contains ingredients that attract ants and others that kill them.
Carpenter ants eat small plants, which have a sweet taste. Because granular traps taste the same, they’ll help you eliminate your ant problem quickly.
The foragers eat some of the bait and take the rest back to the colony.
Sprinkle the dry granules anywhere where carpenter ants can enter the property or where you see them, such as:
- Near doors and windows
- Inside drawers, cabinets, and storage spaces
- On the carpet
- Along the countertops and baseboards
- In the kitchen and bathroom sinks
- Near the toilet and the shower
Make sure to remove your pets and small children from the camper before you sprinkle the granules.
It’s recommended to do this just before a long day you’ll spend outside the camper. That way, the carpenter ants will have enough time to disperse the bait. After a quick cleanup, your problem will be solved.
Natural Remedies for Ant Infestation
If you don’t want to use harsh chemicals, don’t worry. There are several ways to eliminate carpenter ants (and other ants and insects) with natural ingredients.
Sugar and Baking Soda Bait
To create natural ant traps, you’ll need only two ingredients – one to attract the insects and the other they’ll take back to eliminate the whole nest.
This bait uses confectioners sugar as the sweet bait and baking soda, which is toxic for carpenter ants.
Alternatively, you can use Borax (or boric acid) instead of soda, but the latter is safer for the environment and your pets.
Here is how to make it:
- Fold a piece of tin foil, flatten it, and place it near the suspected entry point.
- Measure out 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda and the same amount of powdered sugar. Mix and pour them onto the foil.
- Wait until the foragers find the bait, eat and grab some of it, and take it back to the colony.
- Since the mixture will harden within 24 hours, you’ll need to replace it daily until your ant issue is resolved.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a dry powder made from calcium deposits. It adheres to wet areas, including any moisture found on the body of the ants, disabling their joints and preventing them from moving.
You can apply dry diatomaceous earth to any access point carpenter ants or other insects use to enter your RV.
Along with visible cracks, you can also place diatomaceous earth on water lines, electrical cords, tires, and sewer connections.
You can only use this method in dry climates, and as soon as your RV gets wet, you’ll need to reapply or change up your ant-repelling tactic.
Diluted Vinegar
Diluted vinegar is a known insect repellent. Mix vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio in a spray bottle, and disperse it on the inner and outer surfaces of the camper.
Cedar Oil
Many insect repellents (including the ones used against ticks and bed bugs) contain cedar oil. You can buy this oil separately, dilute it in water, and spray it to eliminate ants in your RV.
See our guide on 9 Ways To Get Rid of Carpenter Ants Naturally.
Keeping a Carpenter Ant Colony Away
Like many other ants, carpenter ants are attracted to moist wood. Older campers often have leak issues, which lead to wet patches where these insects will happily nest. Even if they don’t find anything to eat inside, they will go inside to hide.
Even though there is little chance that carpenter ants damage your property, they can be a nuisance, and no one wants them around. To prevent ants from returning to your RV, you’ll need to find and eliminate these spots.
While inspecting the RV for leaks, make sure to also check for cracks. Once something attracts the ants, they’ll find even the smallest holes to enter the camper.
Make sure the ants won’t have any additional reasons for hanging around inside or outside the camper. Keeping the place clean and hygienic is a must to prevent pests when camping in the wilderness.
Here are a few tips on that:
- Don’t eat in bed or any area you can’t properly clean
- Whenever the weather permits, eat outside your camper
- Don’t leave dirty dishes lying around
- Don’t leave any wet clothes on the floor or near the walls
- Keep all food in airtight containers (especially sweet ones)
- Avoid spilling food or drink inside or outside the camper
- Don’t park directly under overhanging tree branches
See our guide on What Attracts Carpenter Ants?
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the best solution to eliminate carpenter ants from an RV, using ant bait seems to work the best. You can use both artificial granular ant bait and homemade ones.
To prevent carpenter ants from getting into your RV again, you’ll need to find out why they’re attracted. Eliminating wet, moldy areas and keeping the place clean and tidy will go a long way toward preventing carpenter ants from returning to your RV.
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