Animals come out of hibernation every spring, and by the summer, natural foods are getting scarce. Campgrounds are often in close proximity to wildlife (bears, foxes, squirrels, etc.) and the animals often become too comfortable with human visitors. This results in garbage raids, snatched food, and cars that are broken into in the quest for food. To avoid difficulties while traveling by RV, there are steps that should be taken. Final Touch Coach Works suggests the following tips that can keep RVers safe, while allowing them to enjoy the wildlife:
• Remove all aromatic items from tents and tent trailers overnight (food, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.).
• Make use of animal proof containers. Bears and foxes have a very highly developed sense of smell that can lead them to charge campers for their food or swipe food from campsites or break into food storage (even if it means breaking into an RV). And the more human food bears obtain, the more they want it. This makes them very aggressive in getting to food in campsites.
• Don’t ever feed wild animals, even those that seem harmless. Few reports are made of humans being attacked by foxes. But foxes have been known to steal both cats and small dogs for their dinner. When campers feed foxes, it encourages them to stay in close proximity to campsites. The same holds true for squirrels. Campers can often be found throwing breadcrumbs and/or snacks to entice the little animals closer. But squirrels often bite, and they carry diseases. Campers who get close or allow squirrels to eat out of their hands are often the victims of squirrel attacks. Squirrels have very sharp teeth and they can also be transmitters of bubonic plague, which is carried through fleas… fleas that can wind up on the family pet and in your RV.
The key thing to remember in the phrase wildlife is “wild.” It is the RVer’s responsibility to respect the “wild” around them and to protect themselves and the animals in remembering their place in their natural habitat. Feeding wild animals puts both campers and animals in danger. Campers should respect animals, but remember to keep their distance. Enjoy the beauty, but don’t disrupt it. And, don’t put yourself or your pets in harm’s way. Enjoy the RV life!
Final Touch Coach Works is located at 28532 Livingston Avenue in Valencia. For more information, please call 661-775-8375 or visit www.FinalTouch-USA.com.