Welcome to Camping Vehicle Guide
Rv Living Article
. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for further reading, click here.
Camping Critters and What To Do About Them
from: Steve Czuchra
AH! The great outdoors, fresh air, sunshine, open spaces, critters.
Yes critters…you know those uninvited little guests that can turn a fun camping trip into a less than pleasant experience. But despair not; with a little common sense and a few precautions you can keep the vermin at bay.
Mosquitoes, Flies, and other flying insects
There’s probably no other pest that can wreck a campout like these guys. They’re more tenacious than a piranha in a gold fish bowl.
Keep these guys where they belong, using a bug spray or lotion if you going to be away from camp products with deet work very well.
Citronella candles around the campsite will work but effectiveness decreases after a couple of yards or so.
If you don’t like to use one of the chemical preparations like deet many campers rely on the natural approach using products that contain essential oils from plants, for some this seems to do the trick.
Bees, Wasps and Hornets
The best thing to do for these guys is don’t panic, run, swat, throw stuff etc.
More times than not they will buzz around for a while and just leave.
A common mistake I see campers and people in general make here is leaving a can of soda or a drink uncovered. Bees and such just love climbing inside of an unattended drink (hey they’re thirsty too!). A word of advice …buy yourself one of those thermal cups with a top on it, they can be used for hot or cold beverages and they keep the bugs away. Don’t forget the trash containers, ones with a top will do wonders for keeping flying insects away from camp.
Ticks
By now everybody knows that ticks can carry Lyme disease. The best protection against these is to stay out of tall grass and brush. Applying a bug repellent will work to some degree but wearing clothing that covers exposed skin is better yet. During warm weather this may not be possible, so check yourself often.
If a tick is found remove it, being sure to get the head out.
Scorpions
If you happen to live in the southwest you already know about the all to common scorpion. A bite from one of these is guaranteed to ruin your day. When found it is best to leave them alone if it isn’t near camp. If it’s in your tent or immediate surroundings you’ll have to take action and remove it. They do have a supply of venom in their tail that is used to immobilize their prey, and they elderly and the very young are the most at risk. Capturing them or getting them to leave is somewhat tricky; the general idea here is to persuade them to crawl inside of a container so they can be removed. Be careful and use common sense to avoid the stinger in the tail.
Snakes
As with the scorpion, snakes get more active when the weather turns warm.
Just because that guy on the TV show picks them up and plays with them doesn’t mean you should. The best rule of thumb is to leave them alone.
While hiking remember that snakes are often found on the backside of logs or in crevices. If encountered in camp or on the trail back off. If bitten get immediate medical attention.
Chipmunks, ground hogs, skunks, squirrels etc
But they’re so cute you say? That may be true but they can bite if provoked and may carry rabies. Take your photos but don’t attempt to make them the camp pet. Make sure your trashcan has a cover on it, I have awakened in the middle of the night by the sounds of loud rustling noises only to find out a raccoon or skunk was going through our neighbor’s garbage.
With a little common sense, awareness & cooperation your camping trip will be without incident. Remember WE are intruding on THEIR homes.
For more articles on the Great Outdoors go to: www.camping-and-national-parks.com
© camping-and-national-parks.com. All rights reserved.
About The Author
Steve Czuchra is an avid camper and outdoor enthusiast for 20+ years.
Rv Living News
RV park residents face eviction under ordinance
Residents at the Corral RV Park off South Cherry love living the simple life owner and developer Mike O’Brien has created for them.
Read more...RV park residents occupy Garden Grove City Hall
GARDEN GROVE - In a few days, families living in a low-income trailer park say they will have nowhere to go, forced out to make way for an upscale hotel and water park resort. On Wednesday, they wanted to make that point by pitching a tent inside City Hall.About 15 residents of Travel Country RV...
Read more...Slab City: Living Off the Grid in California's Badlands
"Chicago" Joe Angio and his wife Anna did everything by the book to secure their slice of the American Dream. They earned college degrees, started a small business, bought a house and pair of cars, paid their taxes and credit-card bills on time. But when the economy tanked, so did the dream. Between two jobs they could barely pay their mortgage, reaching a point where they had to choose which ...
Read more...RV parks expanding with oil/gas boom
Camping experience comes in handy these days for Dave and Elaine Matney.
Read more...Luxury Motorcoach Golf Resort to Open in Lake Havasu City, AZ
One-of-a-Kind Gem Blends Country Club Elegance With RV Living at the Motorcoach Resort at the Refuge Golf & Country ClubLake Havasu City, AZ (PRWEB) January 17, 2012 Imagine the beauty of dawn along the water’s edge, a perfectly struck 9 iron arcing over a scenic desert golf hole, and an upscale motorcoach resort offering first-class amenities to rival the country club back home. That what’s ...
Read more...P&Z panel looks to alter rules on RV, trailer use
By Shar Porier Herald/Review  BISBEE — Members of the Bisbee Planning and Zoning Commission discussed an amendment to the city code regarding the use of recreational vehicles and travel trailers. “ The issue of vehicles and trailers used as permanent or temporary housing is one that is poorly defined in the city code,” said Community Development Director John Charley during Thursday’s meeting ...
Read more...Parolee Living In RV Outside Parents’ Huntington Beach Home Charged With Murder
A newly-released parolee was back behind bars after being charged in the murder of woman found dead in his Huntington Beach trailer.
Read more...