How to Get Rid of Ants in a Camper or RV: Baits, Barriers and Prevention

TL;DR

• Wipe the ant trail with soapy water, then remove every other food source: crumbs, spills, open packages and garbage.
• Set closed, slow-acting bait stations directly on the ants' path, out of reach of children and pets. Bait is the method most likely to reach the colony.
• Keep baits available for at least two weeks (Health Canada). Check them daily and refill or replace them when they empty.
• Don't spray while baiting, and skip bug bombs: fogger propellants are flammable and should never be used in small, enclosed spaces (US EPA).
• Block the climb: put a short band of petroleum jelly on cords, hoses and jacks, since ants generally will not cross sticky barriers (Health Canada).
• Need help? Get a quote from a recommended local exterminator through Pest Agent's referral form.

The hardest part of trying to get rid of ants in a camper is that the ants on your counter usually do not live there. They are foragers from a colony in the ground nearby, climbing a tire, a jack or the sewer hose to reach the crumbs in your dinette.

Spraying the line you can see removes a few workers, and UC IPM notes foragers are typically a small proportion of the colony. Slow baits work the other way, since workers carry them home to the colony, and Health Canada calls baiting a highly effective way of getting rid of nests.

One scout that finds a sticky spoon is enough to start the whole column, because every ant behind it follows the scent that scout laid down.

Why Are There Ants in Your Camper?

Ants in a camper are foragers from a nearby colony that found food or water in your RV and left a scent trail for other workers to follow. Once one scout finds a source, the trail brings a steady line of ants, which is why a few ants can quickly become a column.

What Attracts Ants to an RV?

Ants are attracted to an RV by sugary foods, oils, greasy residue and crumbs, according to the City of Calgary. A camper concentrates all of these in a small space: a dinette with snack crumbs, a sink with sticky dishes, a garbage bag by the door and a pet bowl on the floor. Health Canada explains that a scout ant that finds food leaves a scented trail, and other workers follow it straight to the source.

Which Ants Get Into Campers in Canada?

The ants that get into campers in Canada are usually the same species that invade houses. Health Canada lists the little black ant, odorous house ant, thief ant, pharaoh ant and carpenter ant as species known to come indoors, and pavement ants can also become a nuisance inside. Most are not aggressive. Sizes range from about 1 mm for little black ants and thief ants to 13 mm for carpenter ants. If you see tiny ants and are not sure which one you have, our guide to small ants in the house can help you narrow it down.

Are They Carpenter Ants?

Carpenter ants are the ants to worry about in an RV, because they nest inside wood. Health Canada describes them as large ants, 6 to 25 mm long, black or black with a reddish brown middle. They do not eat wood: they dig galleries in it and push out sawdust-like shavings. Indoors, they often favour moist, decaying wood, so carpenter ants in a camper can point to a water leak in a wall, floor or roof panel. Common bait stations such as TERRO Liquid Ant Baits do not list carpenter ants on their label, so identify the ant before you buy. Learn the signs of carpenter ants to confirm.

How Do Ants Get Into a Camper?

Ants get into a camper by climbing anything that touches both the ground and the RV, then slipping through small gaps. RV owners and RV publishers point to the same few routes again and again.

Tires and Jacks

Tires and jacks are the most common ant highways, because they connect the ground to the chassis. Stabilizer jacks, the tongue jack, leveling blocks, entry steps and outdoor mats all give ants an easy climb. Once on the frame, they look for a way inside.

Hoses and Power Cords

Hoses and power cords are the second main route. Your freshwater hose, sewer hose and shore power cord run from the ground straight to openings in the RV body. UC IPM notes that ants often travel along wires and pipes, and the openings where hookups enter the rig are often not sealed tight.

Tree Branches

Tree branches let ants skip the ground entirely. A branch resting on the roof or awning gives them a bridge to roof vents and seams. UC IPM advises trimming branches so they do not touch structures, and Health Canada lists branches touching a building as a carpenter ant entry point. At a campsite, that means parking so no branches touch the RV.

Gaps in Seals and Vents

Gaps in seals and vents are where ants actually get inside. RV publishers name slide-out seals, door thresholds, window frames and weep holes, storage bay gaskets, roof vents, underbelly gaps and plumbing openings under sinks. You can seal damaged gaskets and trim, but never block drains, vents or airflow openings, which the RV needs to work safely; the US EPA also advises keeping vents free from blockage.

Firewood

Firewood can carry ants in with it. Health Canada lists firewood brought indoors as one of the ways carpenter ants enter buildings. Keep firewood on the ground away from the RV and bring in only what you will burn right away.

How Do You Get Rid of Ants in a Camper?

Getting rid of ants in a camper takes a slow-acting bait that workers carry back to the colony, plus a clean RV so the bait is the best food around. The same steps answer how to get rid of ants in an RV of any size, from a camper van to a fifth wheel.

Clean Up the Ant Trail

Cleaning up the ant trail removes the scent that draws more ants. UC IPM recommends wiping invading ants with a sponge and soapy water, which removes the trail they leave behind. Then remove every other food source: crumbs, spills, open packages and garbage. NC State Extension notes that baits work best when ants have no other food. Clean the trail away from where you will put the bait, so the ants still find it.

Use Slow-Acting Ant Baits

Ant baits are most likely to reach the colony when they are slow-acting, as UC IPM notes. Worker ants eat the bait, carry it home and share it with the queen and the young. Health Canada calls baiting a highly effective way of getting rid of nests, and NC State Extension and UC IPM note that baits can kill the entire colony, including queens, while sprays usually kill only the ants they touch. The City of Calgary and Health Canada say boric acid baits are generally of low toxicity to other animals. Health Canada adds that two different baits at once give better results. Choose closed bait stations for an RV: they hold the bait in a small, contained space. For tested options, see our picks for the best ant killer.

Where to Put Ant Baits in an RV

Ant baits in an RV go directly on the ants' path, out of reach of children and pets. Good spots are along the trail on the floor, inside the cabinet under the sink, behind the dinette and near the door where ants come in. NC State Extension warns against putting bait on food-prep counters or where it can reach sink water, pet bowls or drains, and Health Canada says to keep it out of reach of children and pets. Use several stations if the trail splits. If you also place bait outside near a jack or tire, check that the label allows outdoor use.

How Long Baits Take

Baits take days to weeks, so expect to see ants for a while. UC IPM says liquid borate baits can take 5 to 10 days to show fewer ants, and NC State Extension says ants may stay visible for a week or more. Health Canada recommends keeping baits available for at least two weeks and expecting repeat applications. Check the stations daily, refill or replace them when they empty, and leave them in place for 3 to 4 days after ants stop feeding (NC State Extension). If the ants ignore a bait, switch to a different type: some ants tend to prefer sweet bait, others protein or grease.

Homemade Borax Bait

Homemade borax bait is a common tip, but Health Canada advises Canadians not to make homemade pesticides using boric acid, and borax can produce boric acid. A strong mix kills workers before they get back to the nest. UC IPM notes that prepackaged stations contain about 5.4% borate. Use a registered bait station or gel with a PCP number, never loose bait on the floor or counter, and keep it away from children and pets. Our guide to homemade ant killers explains why homemade borax bait is not recommended.

Why Sprays Undermine Baits

Sprays undermine baits because they kill or repel the very ants that should carry the bait home. NC State Extension notes that if you spray where you place the bait, the ants will avoid it, and Health Canada says not to use chemical sprays on the same ants while baiting. UC IPM adds that spraying ants indoors will not prevent more ants from coming in. The City of Calgary warns that some barrier spraying may make the colony split into new nests. In a small, closed camper, spraying also puts insecticide close to food, bedding and pets.

Can You Use a Bug Bomb in a Camper?

A bug bomb in a camper is a poor choice for ants and a real safety risk. The US EPA explains that fogger propellants are flammable and that accidents happen when the fog reaches a flame, a pilot light or a spark from an appliance that cycles on and off, like a fridge. It recommends keeping foggers six feet (about 2 metres) or more from all ignition sources and never using them in small, enclosed spaces such as cabinets or under counters. An RV is a small space full of exactly those things, and a fogger does not reach the colony anyway.

Do Natural Remedies Work?

Natural remedies only push ants around for a short time. UC IPM notes that plant-based oils such as peppermint, clove and orange kill ants on contact but have limited residual activity. Vinegar can wipe away the scent trail but does not reach the nest, and RV publishers warn that it can damage stone and delicate finishes. Cinnamon, salt and citrus peels are anecdotal deterrents at best. Use them as a short-term extra, never instead of bait. Our guide on whether vinegar kills ants covers it in detail.

When to Call a Pest Control Professional

Calling a pest control professional makes sense when ants come back after careful cleaning and baiting, when they come out of walls, ceiling panels, vents or outlets, or when you see large ants that may be carpenter ants. Health Canada notes that difficult carpenter ant cases may require a professional exterminator, and moisture damage in an RV is also a job for an RV repair shop. You can get a quote from a recommended local exterminator through Pest Agent's referral form and ask whether it treats recreational vehicles.

How Do You Keep Ants From Climbing Into Your RV?

Keeping ants from climbing into your RV means turning every ground contact point into a barrier they will not cross. Do this as soon as you set up camp, before the first scout finds your rig.

Petroleum Jelly Barriers

Petroleum jelly makes a simple barrier on cords, hoses and jacks. Health Canada notes that ants will not cross sticky barriers, and many RV owners report that a band of petroleum jelly on the power cord stopped ants from climbing it. Put a short band near where each hose or cord leaves the ground, not along its full length. UC IPM advises checking sticky barriers every one or two weeks, because dust and dead ants can form a bridge. It is messy, so wipe it off before you pack up.

Diatomaceous Earth Barriers

Diatomaceous earth makes a dry barrier around jacks, tires and entry steps. Health Canada describes it as crushed microscopic marine fossils that dehydrate ants, non-toxic to humans and pets, but it should not be inhaled and it only works while dry. Apply a light dusting in sheltered spots, and redo it after rain. Our guide to diatomaceous earth for ants explains which kind to buy.

Choosing Your Campsite

Choosing your campsite well prevents many ant problems. Park so branches and shrubs do not touch the RV, avoid setting jacks or steps next to visible ant mounds, and keep picnic food and garbage away from the rig. If a site has heavy ant activity, RV publishers suggest asking for another site.

Campground Pesticide Rules

Campground pesticide rules can limit what you use outside the RV. Ask campground staff before you put bait, powder or spray on the ground, especially near grass, water and pet areas. Health Canada also notes that some provinces and municipalities restrict certain lawn and garden pesticides, so a product allowed at home may not be allowed at your site.

How Do You Prevent Ants in Your RV?

Preventing ants in your RV comes down to leaving them nothing to eat or drink inside and closing the gaps that are safe to close. These habits also make baits work faster, because the bait becomes the only food around.

Food Storage

Food storage is the first line of defence. Health Canada recommends glass jars with rubber gaskets or plastic containers with tight-snapping lids for sweet and greasy foods. Wipe counters after every meal, sweep or vacuum the floor often, rinse containers before they go in the garbage or recycling, and empty the garbage often instead of keeping it by the door.

Pet Food Dishes

Pet food dishes attract ants in a small RV. Health Canada suggests placing the pet dish inside a shallow dish of water, because ants cannot swim. Pick up food your pet has not eaten, and sweep around the bowls. If you use bait with a pet on board, read our guide to pet-safe ant killers.

Sealing Gaps

Sealing gaps keeps ants and other pests out of the living space. Replace cracked caulk around windows and trim, repair torn gaskets on storage bays and doors, and fill gaps around pipes under the sinks. Leave drains, vents and air intakes open. The same work helps you keep mice out of your RV.

Trip Checks

Trip checks catch ants before they move in. When you set up, look at the hoses, cord, jacks and steps for trails. Before you leave, shake out mats and chairs, and clean the fridge, cupboards and floor before storing the camper. If ants show up at home too, our guide on how to get rid of ants covers houses and yards.