Holiday Trip 2012, Owner'S Manual

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2012 Trip
Steps to help control pests:
Reduce clutter inside the motorhome
and storage bays. All storage items,
particularly food (including pet
food), should be kept in tightly sealed
containers. Seal all cracks and holes,
and insure that window, door and vent
screens are securely in place.
Routinely clean the motorhome,
including storage bays. Wipe down
the water bay. Promptly remove all
crumbs from areas where food is
regularly prepared and eaten. Garbage
should be placed in a sealed container
and removed to an outside receptacle
daily. Only put out pet food that will
be immediately eaten.
Keep foods such as flour, cereal,
spaghetti and pet food in re-sealable
containers with tight lids.
Sweep and vacuum often (especially in
eating areas) to help eliminate a food
source for pests.
Pests seek indoor shelter with food
and water. Limit their access to
water or moisture sources by sealing
cracks and leaks in pipes and faucets.
Reduce moisture in the motorhome by
controlling condensation, immediately
wiping up spills and promptly
repairing leaks. Be extra alert around
areas that attract rodents and insects,
including the sewer hose, fresh water
hose, bay doors and items that may
be leaning against the outside of the
motorhome, such as fishing poles and
golf clubs..
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When the motorhome is stored
outdoors, clear the surrounding area
of all rodent friendly hiding places:
shrubs, trees and clutter. Completely
seal the underside of the motorhome.
Wire mesh will work well to prevent
points of entry, but beware of blocking
necessary air vents. Prior to operating
the motorhome after storage, remove
all insect and animal nests that may
have developed around vents, engine
compartments, the exhaust pipe and in
the wheel wells.
Rodents:
Rodents may chew through wires or build
nests in components of the motorhome. Signs of
rodent infestation include droppings, shredded
material or chewed furniture fabrics and vinyl.
Rodents like to build nests with wire insulation
and are commonly attracted to the outside
coating of 120 Volt AC wiring more than 12
Volt DC wiring.
NOTE:
Although the back cap of the
motorhome is well sealed, rodents are
capable of chewing through the foam
insulation and that area should be
routinely inspected.
If signs of rodent infestation exist, place
traps or poisons in suspected areas. Keep
traps and poisons safely away from pets and
children. Cheese is not the best bait for a
rodent trap. Use peanut butter or chocolate in
small amounts. Place the bait on the trigger of
the trap to induce the rodent to climb onto the
trigger to reach the bait. Rodents do not limit
invasion to unused vehicles.
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Insects:
Eliminate insects when signs of infestation
appear. If the type of insect cannot be
identified, purchase sticky traps from the
hardware store and place the tape where the
insects have been seen. Once a sample is
caught, seek assistance in identifying the insect
to determine what will be required to remove
the infestation.
Regularly inspect the exterior of the
motorhome for signs of a budding wasp nest,
and promptly destroy small nests before they
become too large.
Spiders can be in any structure. Immediately
remove spider webs. Some types of spiders
like to nest on top of the diesel tank and around
the diesel hoses. Dispense of spiders using a
vacuum. Use care to capture the spider and egg
sacs. Throw the vacuum bag away in a sealed
bag.
Fruit flies invade the motorhome by
attaching to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Determine what food items are generating the
flies and discard that item in an outdoor trash
receptacle. Fruit flies can be eliminated with a
homemade trap. Pour a few ounces of vinegar
into a cup and cover the cup with plastic wrap.
Secure the wrap with tape or a rubber band and
poke a ¼" hole in the plastic. Place the trap in
the area where fruit flies are present.
Ants live in colonies. Only a fraction of the
ant colony will leave to seek food. Spraying
pesticides will only kill the ants that are away
from the colony. The colony must be destroyed
to eliminate all ants. Keep ants away from the
sewer hose by spraying the hose ends with a
soap and water solution.