Ants

[Derek Johnson]

We are on a trip and at the latest campground we were invaded by tiny ants. I had recently resealed everything underneath so I was surprised they were able to find a way in. It took awhile, but I finally managed to track down how they were getting inside. The ants were traveling up a rear stabilizer jack and along the top of the frame, nearly all the way to the front of the trailer. Where the fiberglass meets the steel frame everything is nice and tight and there is no access. However, there is a several inch long piece of rubber between the fiberglass and steel, I assume where the trailer is bolted together (there are two on each side). The ants were getting inside at the very end of the rubber strip. There must be an extremely tiny hole at the end even though the rubber is compressed. Once the ants are inside where the tanks are they have easy access to the inside of the trailer because of the large hole cut for plumbing and the tank heater vent. You cannot seal this hole, so you must make sure the tank compartment is completely sealed.

Ants are amazing...

Derek

[sunnyone]

Originally Posted by Derek Johnson

It took awhile, but I finally managed to track down how they were getting inside.

That was some impressive detective work on your part.

[Jon in AZ]

We once had ants crawl up the drain tube for the OEM icebox, which we use for dry storage. They attacked a beautiful strawberry pie we had in there and nothing else. The pie was a total loss, and it took a while to help the last of 'em find the exit. I plugged the drain, since we never use ice in it.

We'd been to the same location before, and we never had trouble until we gave them a reason.

[jerrybob]

Spread some Diatomaceous Earth (DE) around ground contact points. We camped at a campground in So Calif years ago with an ant problem. The campground host came through every few days and asked if we needed more.....most campers did it....it solved the ant problem.

[Derek Johnson]

Thanks. I'll pick up a bag to have on hand.

[computerspook]

Originally Posted by Derek Johnson

We are on a trip and at the latest campground we were invaded by tiny ants. I had recently resealed everything underneath so I was surprised they were able to find a way in. It took awhile, but I finally managed to track down how they were getting inside. The ants were traveling up a rear stabilizer jack and along the top of the frame, nearly all the way to the front of the trailer. Where the fiberglass meets the steel frame everything is nice and tight and there is no access. However, there is a several inch long piece of rubber between the fiberglass and steel, I assume where the trailer is bolted together (there are two on each side). The ants were getting inside at the very end of the rubber strip. There must be an extremely tiny hole at the end even though the rubber is compressed. Once the ants are inside where the tanks are they have easy access to the inside of the trailer because of the large hole cut for plumbing and the tank heater vent. You cannot seal this hole, so you must make sure the tank compartment is completely sealed.

Ants are amazing...

Derek

Even trying to seal something rodent proof is a challenge. Not sure bug proof is possible.


I have had to deal with ants nests in NEMA enclosures which are metal or plastic boxes that are supposed to be waterproof used for outdoor electronics.



So a total seal might not be possible and could be dangerous. Don't forget that we breath O2 and put out H2O and CO2. Seal it to well and you might suffocate yourself. Sounds impossible, but there have been cases where several guys were operating a radio contest in a small basement and got enough of an imbalance to make themselves sick over a weekend. And that was not even totally sealed.

[Mike Magee]

Originally Posted by computerspook

Don't forget that we breath O2 and put out H2O and CO2

I'm pretty sure I emit some methane, too! If only it deterred ants...

[computerspook]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

I'm pretty sure I emit some methane, too! If only it deterred ants...

I am sure this was a bit of a problem too.


Actually Mercaptan is what would deter things including ants, but that would be unlikely. We would never detect the methane.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by computerspook

...a total seal might not be possible and could be dangerous. Don't forget that we breath O2 and put out H2O and CO2. Seal it to well and you might suffocate yourself. Sounds impossible, but there have been cases where several guys were operating a radio contest in a small basement and got enough of an imbalance to make themselves sick over a weekend. And that was not even totally sealed.

We're really just talking about one section of the trailer, the bottom. That's one area I think it's worth some trouble to seal as completely as possible.

As to ventilation and air quality, most people have a window and/or roof vent open at night when everyone's inside with the door closed. CO2 aside, with two adults and two teens in a 13' Scamp, the air quality would get pretty rank otherwise.

[Jann Todd]

Originally Posted by jerrybob

Spread some Diatomaceous Earth (DE) around ground contact points. We camped at a campground in So Calif years ago with an ant problem. The campground host came through every few days and asked if we needed more.....most campers did it....it solved the ant problem.

We've used Borax or Ajax cleanser around our tires, leveling blocks, etc and that helps keep ants out. Our problem we had was the ants were coming out of a tree we were parked under and were jumping or falling onto the trailer and coming in through the screens. We had to spray insecticide around the windows but they still fell onto the screens and got in. This was in Tennessee.

[mosquito13]

Got in the practice of spraying a barrier around the drip line of our camper as part of setting up. Gasses off quick with no residule smell. Even do it on pad sites ,but especially dirt sites. The Caribbean Crazy ants are the worst, but a mound of fire ants can ruin anyone's day. And now to the classic 1954 "Naked Jungle" staring Charles Hestin v/s Army Ants. https://youtu.be/aCva4u4hS0I?si=-MssaQq--JvEVomd

[jerrybob]

Originally Posted by Jann Todd

We've used Borax or Ajax cleanser around our tires, leveling blocks, etc and that helps keep ants out. Our problem we had was the ants were coming out of a tree we were parked under and were jumping or falling onto the trailer and coming in through the screens. We had to spray insecticide around the windows but they still fell onto the screens and got in. This was in Tennessee.

I've seen this happen. We knew we had a problem when we returned to our campsite and saw hundreds of discarded little parachutes on the ground around our trailer.....those ants are clever! LOL!

[barrry smithe]

I had a problem with wasps setting up housekeeping in my frame tubing until I plugged ends with plywood blocks and silicone.