Tips for Pest-Proofing Your Trailer and Storage Areas

Pests like mice, rats, raccoons, various destructive birds, spiders, cockroaches, and other insects can cause serious problems for trailer owners. Many trailer owners have designated garage space or storage areas for when they need to store their trailers for an extended time. Without the proper precautions, a trailer owner may uncover a trailer only to find a serious pest infestation or even damage to the trailer.

How Animals Can Harm Trailers and Garages

Homeowners are probably familiar with the hazards pests present to a home, so trailer owners should bear these same risks in mind when tending to their trailers, garages, and storage areas. Pests become an issue for trailer owners when they sit idle for an extended time. Without the proper care and upkeep, pests can invade trailers and cause both health hazards and costly damage.

Rodents like rats and mice love dark spaces to nest and breed. Rodents also have a habit of chewing on wiring and fibers. Left unchecked, a rodent infestation could lead to serious problems if they find their way to the wires in a trailer. Raccoons may also use trailers and storage spaces for shelter but probably won’t linger for too long unless there is a steady source of food nearby. 

Squirrels, stray cats, and other animals may also attempt to nest inside a trailer left in storage. Insects and spiders, however, pose more significant issues. Spider infestations are unsettling for most people, and some species of spiders are extremely dangerous. Black widow spiders, brown recluse spiders, and other venomous spiders often seek dark, warm areas to spin their webs. Cockroaches, mites, fleas, ants, and other insects may turn into serious infestations if left unchecked.

Steps to Pest-Proofing

Keeping your trailer and storage area free from pests is simple with the right steps:

  • First, ensure the area where you will store your trailer is clean and free from dust, cobwebs, and debris. Make sure there are no food wrappers or any food waste that may attract pests. Do your best to thoroughly clean the area before parking the trailer.
  • Next, you’ll want a few defenses to deter pests from investigating your trailer and the storage space. Invest in a “bug barrier” spray and saturate the perimeter of the storage space to keep bugs away for an extended time. You may also want to place ant traps, roach traps, or other insect traps inside.
  • Before leaving your trailer in storage, make sure it is as clean as possible. Secure all the dangling connectors and wires, and consider purchasing a heavy-duty cover for your trailer. This will make it more difficult for pests to find their way inside.

Ultimately, pest infestations are preventable with the right preparation. If you uncover your trailer to prepare it for use and find a pest problem, contact a professional exterminator right away. After they handle your pest problem, it’s wise to ask for some pointers to keep the pests in your area away from your trailer and other property.