Prevent pests from getting inside your RV’s furnace

By Dustin Simpson
This week in the shop, we found a mud dauber nest and a baby bat inside an RV furnace. As a reminder, LP gas attracts more rodents and other critters than you know.

Mud dauber nest on the left and a baby bat on the right.

Protecting your RV furnace from rodents is essential to prevent damage and maintain the efficiency of the heating system. Rodents can cause significant issues by chewing on wiring, building nests, and creating blockages.

In addition to keeping out rodents, your fan wheels need to be cleaned! Everyone at one time or another has cleaned a ceiling fan in their house. Did you know that both your intake and exhaust fan wheels require cleaning, as well? Dust, dirt, bugs, and pet hair can all collect in the fan wheel and cause the sail switch not to operate.

Mice in fresh air intake.

Tips to help safeguard your RV furnace from rodents

Inspect and seal entry points

Conduct a thorough inspection of your RV to identify potential entry points for rodents. Seal any gaps, cracks, or openings with materials such as steel wool, pestblock foam, or silicone caulk. Pay attention to areas around utility connections, vents, and openings in the RV structure.

Install vent screens

Cover exterior vents, exhaust pipes, and openings with rodent-resistant fabric. These screens allow proper ventilation while preventing rodents from entering. Make sure the screens are securely attached. I would only recommend installing screens manufactured for RVs.

Regular maintenance checks

Perform regular checks on your RV, especially during periods of non-use. Look for signs of rodent activity, such as droppings, gnaw marks, or nesting materials.

More RV furnace information

If you’re an RV owner, then you know how important it is to keep your furnace in good working order. In this video, we’ll teach you the importance of RV furnace maintenance so you can keep your RV furnace running smoothly!

More from Dustin

Make sure you check out my website, California RV Specialists, and our YouTube channel for more helpful information, and see our published articles on RVtravel.com and other social media pages.

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1 Comment

Rusty Clapp
6 months ago

Installed a few years ago, of course the Wasp were not happy.