Carpenter Ants

[Chucke]

We were down in Darlington at the race track and overnight we were invaded by fire ants. I have always just sprayed around the outside of it were it sits but had never sprayed the inside. I use Ortho liquid spray that you can get at Lowes. It comes in a gallon jug with its own pump. I started to spray the inside of the compartments and under cabinets when I spray the garage. Every 6 months and we have never had bug issues inside again. It doesn't take much!

[gator]

Originally Posted by Chucke

We were down in Darlington at the race track and overnight we were invaded by fire ants. I have always just sprayed around the outside of it were it sits but had never sprayed the inside. I use Ortho liquid spray that you can get at Lowes. It comes in a gallon jug with its own pump. I started to spray the inside of the compartments and under cabinets when I spray the garage. Every 6 months and we have never had bug issues inside again. It doesn't take much!

Good call, I have always found Ortho spray very effective as well. Use it around the house always.

[The Gritz Carlton]

First thing I do, everywhere we go, is to treat the outside area for ants, bugs and other critters. I use Yard Guard, ant granules and Demon. As tidy as campers can be, food substances and crumbs still get discarded around the area on a regular basis. It's like camping in the middle of the "Golden Coral Ant Buffet". Someone could make a super funny animated movie about it.

[Mustang46555]

"Someone could make a super funny animated movie about it."

Bob, I believe this is your cue. LOL

Seriously, great thread! We'd never thought of being invaded by insects. Another item to add to the check list. Hope the OP's problem gets resolved soon.

[Jeff van]

Well the ajax or comet I heard works great, if you want to stop rodents spraying a heavy dose of Pine-sol around and under your RV, they doubt like it and vacate and don't come back.
As far as the larger and Walmart sell GRANTS ANT BAIT works great. They feast in 1 or 2 days (usually 1 day) no more ants.for the smaller ants Boric acid mixed with honey or grape jelly put in caps and placed near concentrations.

[Paul G.]

This has been a great thread! It appears that we have vanquished the enemy and retaken the high ground, using both a professional exterminator with RV experience and many of the suggestions posted above. The napalm and nukes turned out to be unnecessary. Now the strategy moves to long term defense plus appropriate tactical maneuvers on a campground by campground basis. Our three week road trip in June should be revealing. Future briefings as appropriate. Thanks to all!

[The Gritz Carlton]

I can see it in the news now..."EPA shutting down campgrounds all over America...strong chemical smells coming from some sites with what looks like children have had baby powder fights everywhere...not a living creature in site...not even a mouse".

[Bob Denman]

I'll bet that you could hire a small kid for almost next to nothing: give them a small hammer, and pay them per dead bug!

[The Gritz Carlton]

Hoping none of the are on the camper....

[Bob Denman]

...or the window glass!

[vkb]

Today, we returned from a 10 day trip to NM & CO .. invaded by ants .. we call them piss ants because that is what they smell like when you mash them ! .. we fought them twice on this trip ... once a year ago. In addition, when we get our first rain, here in KS, they invade our home.
For an instant kill...we use Spic n Span ... stops them in their tracks...for a permanent fix we use Tarro Traps and liquid. They consume the liquid and take it home and it kills them...until the next invasion.

We are very careful about what we use, as we don't want to endanger KC .. at home or on the road.

[Bob Denman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SnL2auGFwo

[Muggs]

Originally Posted by MinDee

Would you mind sharing what specific products you use, both for the bug bomb and for inside the compartments?

Do you have to move all your dishes and clothes out when you bug bomb?

I use hotshot bug bombs in green package. It is very important to make sure all gas/pilots/open flames off. As far as spray, I use Hotshot or Raid fragrence free long acting. I also clean all mud dauber screens and spray those areas and let fry good. We have had great luck overall with these methods even at both houses. I always open every drawer and cabinet when bug bombing and only keep stuff sealed in plastic. I honestly do not worry about water hoses, they are capped and we never drink water from RV tank. We also add chlorine quarterly to keep tank sanitized. Both our houses are on wells, we been drinking bottled water over 30 years.

[Laco]

Comet placed around your jacks, tires, cords, hoses, drain lines, anything that touches the ground and your RV, should keep them out, but will of course do nothing for those that are already in.