JeffPritchard
San Diego California
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Joined: 07/13/2003
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Well, it seems like I just can't catch a break when it comes to various critters getting into my rigs. I have a small Class A that I've all but written off because I couldn't keep the rats out of it. Finally found the last rat-sized hole and fixed it, but now the mice are still getting in!
Anyway, that rig is basically out to pasture at this point. It has been replaced with a much easier to rodent-proof truck camper. I've been very pleased that after a year of this new Lance 1191 sitting on the same property that killed the class A, not one rodent has found its way in. And that's stock, didn't have to get out any caulk or anything.
But now onto the point of this posting...the spiders apparently can find their way in. In the course of a week long trip I've just returned from, I killed three big brown spiders and a few smaller ones. Eeeek! I'm like a little girl when it comes to spiders!
I did a search here, and only found one suggestion for getting rid of spiders. That was Eucalyptus leaves. To me, having that smell in the camper would be almost as bad as the spiders.
Anyone else have some suggestions for how to keep spiders out of the rig while it sits on wild land in So. Cal? BTW, no practical source of 24/7 electricity to run one of those electric deterrents (do they work anyway?)
thanks for any advice,
jp
(P.S. PUHLEEZE spare me the dryer sheet mania ) 
Jeff Pritchard in San Diego
2008 Lance 1191 on 2008 F-350 DRW 4X4
Wilderness Photographer - Click here to see my wilderness images
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Joy
Henderson KY 42420
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Joined: 08/10/2001
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Our bug man told us that to get rid of spiders you had to get rid of their source of food, i.e., other small bugs. Get some of that DIY household bug spray and use it as directed regularly and they should disappear. He said it is almost impossible to get rid of spiders otherwise. It does seem to work that way - with all the remodeling here the past few, we suspended the spraying and now have spiders where we didn't before. Oh, well, back to spraying!!
See ya' down the road!
Don-SCPO USN Ret.Corpsman
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camping man
Central Fla.
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Joined: 09/01/2001
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During the first night of camping season, I spent all night awake with my flashlight checking the walls. Good Luck!
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Mike& Rose
Lake & Horse country,Blackstone Valley MA
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Joined: 02/12/2007
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Our stick house is on a wooded lot and we had some tree branches overhang the roof. An exterminator told us to have the tree branches cut back so ant and spiders cannot fall onto the roof. So camping under trees would most likely be a problem too. If you have slides, the little awnings will keep leaves,dirt and spiders from being carried in when the slide is retracted. PS. I have those sonic pest expellers and this fall have caught 8 mice in my garage thus far. They do not work! Between my old fashion traps and my mouse hunting Daschund, we are getting them.
See you on the road!
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MegaDodge
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 11/10/2003
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Best thing I have found is to buy the spider spray in a gallon jug with a sprayer and maintain a barrier around the rig when it is stationary. I think it's called OrthoSpray.....and it says it makes a seven month barrier...that's a little ambitious and I use it once a month. I also have found that this stuff does not stain or is sticky so you can spray it anywhwere you want. On the boat I sprayed it on the Sunbrella top, around the bottom where they get in and I had virtually no spiders all summer.
Be careful with them...the brown recluse is everywhere and they are deadly if they bite you. They like to get in out of the way places....be especially careful removing tire covers...if they bite you, you are in for a very bad time. We winter in Arizona and learn to be careful with all kinds of creepys.
MegaDodge
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"An honest man is the guy who does the right thing when nobody's looking"
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Deb and Ed M
SW MI, USA
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Joined: 06/07/2004
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I sprayed Ortho "Home Defense" bug repellent around our spider-laden business - and have found it really works well and there's no particular odor to it. Says it last for 3 to 4 months?
Deb
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havedreamwilltravel
Southern California
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Joined: 08/15/2006
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Quote:the brown recluse is everywhere and they are deadly if they bite you
There are no brown recluse spiders in California. Brown Recluse in California - myth
To the OP:
Best thing to do is to spray around the outside on a regular basis. If you want to get rid of anything inside that's living now, you can put a fogger in there. Can also find a "green" spray - i.e. - uses natural "pesticides" to kill and spray around the baseboard area, corners and what not on a regular basis so if/when they do get in you can kill them before they get anywhere.
Most spiders in California are harmless and I even get them in my 'Burb from time to time.
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Visited a lot of states, haven't camped in many...yet. 
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D&E Johnson
Ontario Canada/Brenda Arizona
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Joined: 08/30/2003
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I use Raid Spider Blaster(or spray). Comes in a red can and is very effective..sometimes I think the big spiders are try to build a coccoon around the house! I also use this is Arizona around the 5thwheel tires and underneath the frame.Also in the garden shed..hate spiders. Even got rid of a scorpion nears the tires last winter so it wouldn't bite the cat!
Dona
Dona and Elvin
2004 6.0l F350 turbo-diesel/4x4/crew cab/shortbed-wedgewood blue)
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Retired early and ready to see North America!
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mr. ed
Madison, SD (currently traveling the US)
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Joined: 02/06/2002
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I do the same thing the others have mentioned: as soon as I get to my campsite I spray insecticide around any part of my fiver that touches the ground, i.e the tires, landing jacks, stabilizers, etc. This helps to not only keep out spiders but ants and other bugs as well. If I'm in the same spot long enough I'll re-spray about every 2 weeks or so. I bought the sprayer at Wal*Mart for about $8. It holds about a gallon and seems to work pretty well for the price.
Mr. Ed (fulltiming since 1987)
2007 Hitchhiker II LS Model 29.5 LKTG
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Spindeepster
Third Stone From An Insignificant Star
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Joined: 08/27/2003
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They're spiders for cryin' out loud! Come to think of it, they were here first..............by a few measly millions of years.
Shoo 'em outside.
"I didn't plan on getting old, it just happened, and it will happen to you too, if you're lucky".
---Andy Rooney
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