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Old 05-11-2018, 01:43 AM   #1
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THOR #8886
Angry Carpenter Ants

We have a 10 month old Thor Chateau 22B. Camped two weeks ago at a Florida State Park that shall remain unnamed. Came back from visiting at about 10:00 pm and found a number of carpenter ants on the interior walls. Inspected the outside with a flashlight and found hundred of them headed up the power cord from the ground into the cord box. Borrowed a can of bug killer from a neighbor and doused them pretty well, including inside the box. Also sprayed the entire cord. Next night they were back, just not on the cord -- apparently enough got in to start setting up housekeeping. Have been battling them for two weeks now. Totally emptied the rig, set out ant bait, essential oils -- sealed everything I can find to seal. Went in after dark tonight (moved from our regular storage pad to our driveway for another thorough cleaning) and killed another 25 on the walls (all of the walls). Called and left a message for the company that treats our home to see if they do RVs... Anyone else ever have this kind of issue? How'd you beat it? We have a multi-week trip coming up the first week of June and I need to get this solved!

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Old 05-11-2018, 02:02 AM   #2
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I fog the inside of the RV with bug bombs every 3 months. I spray the lower compartments and lower interior with odorless bug killer. I did this today. In morning, I will turn on vents and open windows ahead of spring cleaning. This approach has worked fine in Florida swamps.

Rarely do we find bugs in RV.
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Old 05-11-2018, 02:04 AM   #3
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borax soap kills ants
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Old 05-11-2018, 02:22 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by Muggs View Post
I fog the inside of the RV with bug bombs every 3 months.
I emailed with the folks who make Raid products. They said to NOT use a bomb (fogger) in an RV. Didn't say why, though...
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Old 05-11-2018, 02:29 AM   #5
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Had them in our home a few years ago and never really did get rid of them. The little ones are pretty easy to knock off but those guys are tough. I think calling in the pros is the best option. Good luck.
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Old 05-11-2018, 03:11 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by Paul G. View Post
I emailed with the folks who make Raid products. They said to NOT use a bomb (fogger) in an RV. Didn't say why, though...
I would guess possibly they would be concerned if there was an open flame. The bug bombs always set CO2 monitor off. I use the Hot Shot type and only with unit plugged in and everything inactive. Today is probably the 8th or 9th time I have done it.
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Old 05-11-2018, 04:33 AM   #7
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I had them in the horse barn in the feed room. Vet told me to not use poisons but to spread out some grits. Yes grits. The ants eat the grits, they swell up and literally explode. It actually worked. With in two weeks they were gone. Apparently they take the grits back to the nest and all feast on them.

I have heard Borax also as captmetal stated.

Hope you find the solution quickly. Those things can spread fast.
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Old 05-11-2018, 05:44 AM   #8
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i also use windex, kills them dead NOW and they won't walk over a area sprayed with it
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Old 05-11-2018, 10:42 AM   #9
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Grits, huh? SO...that's my problem....I've swollen up...I guess I'm fixin' to explode!! If you go to a DIY pest control place, they have these tubes of gel that you can squeeze a bead around things like the cord, etc. Borax powder sprinkled around tires and anything else that touches ground will prevent them from coming in. Windex does work on the ones already there.
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Old 05-11-2018, 12:01 PM   #10
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If Grits don't work for you:

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1526040046
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Old 05-11-2018, 01:39 PM   #11
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Age old problem with RV's having ants climbing up the power cord. Some say electrical cords are an aphrodisiac for ants..........not confirmed. A dose of petroleum jelly on the cord above ground level seems to stop them.

If you are in an area that has ant problems(most places in FL), you may want to spray around your tires also. I keep a hand spray bottle of insecticide handy to keep them where they belong.
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Old 05-11-2018, 07:53 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
Bob -- I think you've finally posted me to the perfect solution!
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Old 05-11-2018, 07:57 PM   #13
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Update

Called in the pros today. Our house guy also does RVs (a frequent need in FL) -- sprayed inside and out. Three month guarantee. We shall see...
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Old 05-11-2018, 09:21 PM   #14
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Good luck!
Here's to hoping that the bugs no longer bug you!
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Old 05-12-2018, 01:21 PM   #15
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Have always used the petroleum jelly on the cords and comet around the Jack's and tires. Works good in South Carolina on the red fire ants. Ejk
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Old 05-12-2018, 02:15 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by Paul G. View Post
I emailed with the folks who make Raid products. They said to NOT use a bomb (fogger) in an RV. Didn't say why, though...
Besides high concentration is small area, propellant is usually propane. (poor man's Denman solution)
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Old 05-14-2018, 01:47 AM   #17
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Besides high concentration is small area, propellant is usually propane. (poor man's Denman solution)
Boric acid mixed with honey put in caps and placed near concentrations. Takes about 2 weeks. Works great on carpenter ants.
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Old 05-16-2018, 06:23 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by Paul G. View Post
We have a 10 month old Thor Chateau 22B. Camped two weeks ago at a Florida State Park that shall remain unnamed. Came back from visiting at about 10:00 pm and found a number of carpenter ants on the interior walls. Inspected the outside with a flashlight and found hundred of them headed up the power cord from the ground into the cord box. Borrowed a can of bug killer from a neighbor and doused them pretty well, including inside the box. Also sprayed the entire cord. Next night they were back, just not on the cord -- apparently enough got in to start setting up housekeeping. Have been battling them for two weeks now. Totally emptied the rig, set out ant bait, essential oils -- sealed everything I can find to seal. Went in after dark tonight (moved from our regular storage pad to our driveway for another thorough cleaning) and killed another 25 on the walls (all of the walls). Called and left a message for the company that treats our home to see if they do RVs... Anyone else ever have this kind of issue? How'd you beat it? We have a multi-week trip coming up the first week of June and I need to get this solved!
Are you certain these are carpenter ants? They sound like white footed ants, a really annoying pest. You can spray water on them asnd they die. Onv e they get settl ed theey breed like crazy because the colony doesn't just have one queen but hundtefs . When these ants sense danger they send out a signal and queens start laying thousands of eggs. The only way to get rid of them is to bait them. Don't smash or spray them. The bait must bve taken to the colony and kill the colony. Read abojt these critters on line. It mnay take months to get rid of them.
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Old 05-16-2018, 06:35 PM   #19
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Ants and Comet/Ajax

Quote:
Originally Posted by Edk View Post
Have always used the petroleum jelly on the cords and comet around the Jack's and tires. Works good in South Carolina on the red fire ants. Ejk
We use comet and/or ajax cleanser to repel ants - sprinkle some around tires or any other place where ants can enter the rv. We have also used it in the house - just find point of entry and sprinkle they won't cross it. Safer than "bug bombing." I do not like pesticides due to the carcinogenic risk.
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Old 05-16-2018, 06:38 PM   #20
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we've had 'sugar' ants several times, and they can just be downright absolutely annoying!! once you see one, like mice, you've only seen the tip of the iceberg. They are there, and in numbers, and don't go away easily. I suppose they've found the source of their desires, food, especially anything 'sweet'.
It tooks us weeks to get rid of them. I'd like to 'blame' the place we stayed, but the truth is that you are susceptible anywhere you 'camp', honestly.

We took on mice one time, too, or several times to be truthful. You never see them coming, and they don't leave too many 'tell tell' signs until it's too late... then the game is to find them, where they are bedding down, and how they are entering your resort!
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