Forgive me if I am bringing up a subject that has already been covered but my search didn't produce any threads on the subject.
Ants are a part of the great outdoors that we all enjoy but we don't want them in our pups. What tricks are there to keep them from getting in? I know that keeping food crumbs off the floor and off the ground surrounding your pup will help but ants can find the even the smallest little piece of food. I thought I saw a post a long time ago that suggested sprinkling something around the stabilizing jacks but can't remember what it was. What seems to work for you?
Boric Acid powder. It just works.
I sprinkle it around the stabilizers, wheels, on the shore power cord, water, and drain hoses, (where they touch the ground), and the tongue jack. Don't let any bush branches, plants, or tree limbs come into contact with the PopUp.
Quote from: beacherBoric Acid powder. It just works.
I sprinkle it around the stabilizers, wheels, on the shore power cord, water, and drain hoses, (where they touch the ground), and the tongue jack. Don't let any bush branches, plants, or tree limbs come into contact with the PopUp.
Thanks. Is that something that is designed for ants? Can I find it with all the other insect control products?
You can also sprinkle a cleanser like Comet or Ajax around the wheels, jacks, hoses and power cord to build a barrier that repels the critters and basically disintegrates without harming the environment.
Quote from: AZsixForgive me if I am bringing up a subject that has already been covered but my search didn't produce any threads on the subject.
Ants are a part of the great outdoors that we all enjoy but we don't want them in our pups. What tricks are there to keep them from getting in? I know that keeping food crumbs off the floor and off the ground surrounding your pup will help but ants can find the even the smallest little piece of food. I thought I saw a post a long time ago that suggested sprinkling something around the stabilizing jacks but can't remember what it was. What seems to work for you?
I saw a black and white movie when I was a kid where the ants in Arizona were the size of a Grayhound bus. I know I'm showing my age. I think in that movie they called the army in to use flame throwers.
CajunCamper
I've actually found that if I leave out a pan of melted chocolate the ants help in making a fine desert. :D
It's funny. I've never had a problem with ants in the PUP. I guess I'm just lucky. I'll try the ajax method though. Sounds good.
We sprinkle comet around the stabilizers and any other spots where an ant will crawl up into the camper.
Jacqui
We have not had an ant problem yet but I ran across this and have been keeping it handy just in case.
Ant Kill Recipe:
1 teaspoon of Boric Acid - 6 tablespoons of sugar - 2 cups very hot water
mix ingredents and pour over cotton balls - put mixture in plastic container with lid - poke holes about 1/8 inch from bottom - may attract more ants the first couple days by day 3 they should all be gone.
I have thought about using this if we get ants and leave it in the camper when it is in storage. Supposed to work well if you have ant in your house.
Second:
Aspartame (sold as NutraSweet or Equal) Sprinkle some on the counters or areas where ants are - This is supposed to be good for any type of ants
Quote from: McCampersIt's funny. I've never had a problem with ants in the PUP. I guess I'm just lucky. I'll try the ajax method though. Sounds good.
I haven't had a problem yet either but I'm trying to be proactive and make sure I have what I need just in case.
Use the boric acid NOT COMET OR AJAX (they contain bleach and are bad for the environment not to mention other animals that may come in contact with them)! Boric acid is sold at most any hardware store and should be in the insectide section. It will control a variety of pests, not just ants, and is MUCH safer for use on the ground and around pets and kids than a household cleanser.
Quote from: Tim5055I've actually found that if I leave out a pan of melted chocolate the ants help in making a fine desert. :D
... they lend that sour, slightly bitter taste, don'tcha think?
I use "Home Defense", about $8 a Gal. at Wallyworld with built in sprayer. Spray anything on the PUP that touches the ground. Works well!
Mick
Quote from: ronerjonesSecond:
Aspartame (sold as NutraSweet or Equal) Sprinkle some on the counters or areas where ants are - This is supposed to be good for any type of ants
May not mean too much,but I think this stuff was accually intended for use in rodent poison,AKA. - rat killer.Thats just what I've heard.
The only ant problem I had was when I first bought my pup used,worse shape than I thought or I would'nt have gotten it.Along with the roof leak,there was a colony of ants living in there.I sprayed the inside comprtments with Diazanon and that took care of that.
I too spray home defence around the tires,jack,and stablizes.
Our house is smack dab on top of a HUGE ant colony ( I am sure ) and we have big problems with the ants often. When they are hungry, I leave some dog food out on the ground near the colony and when they are thirsty, I run some water in the same area. Now, when they start going after the dog food I just sprinkle ALITTLE baby powder on a paper plate and then set the dog dishes on the paper plate. Baby powder is like broken glass to ants. I would think that baby powder would work anywhere, and cheap too !!
I have heard that a mixture of Dawn dish soap and water sprayed around the tires, ect. will keep critters out. Anyone else heard this or know if it works?
Don't know if the Dawn would work or not, but there is an issue with using a detergent like that due to gray water (that would be considered gray water as it has dishwashing liquid in it). Why not just go with the tried and true method of boric acid? It is cheap, easy to use, and safe for the environment as it is a natural product.
Boric acid should do the trick. Does any one remember the The Twenty Mule Team comercials from our youth? Thats right Borax The Twenty Mule Team cleaner AKA boric acid,still on your grocers shelf.
We also use the boric acid and have known about it for many years. Lately I get it at our local 99 Cent store. Can't beat that price!
Joan
Quote from: PM3579Boric acid should do the trick. Does any one remember the The Twenty Mule Team comercials from our youth? Thats right Borax The Twenty Mule Team cleaner AKA boric acid,still on your grocers shelf.
That's as strong as a twenty mule borax! Which is just stronger than 10 acres of garlic. LOL
Take a look at this photo. The white stuff on the ground and around the RV's is ajax or comet. We stayed there a few years ago and the ranger told us to use it around our camper because the park was infested with ants. It was a real problem, it only took them less than a few hours to get inside our PU.
http://www.californiacoastline.org/cgi-bin/image.cgi?image=9254&mode=big&lastmode=sequential&flags=0&year=2002
All the locals were using the cleanser around their RV's or tents. But I think boric acid would do the trick also.
Mary Romeo
Cool picture, Mary!We just returned from a 4 night camping "vacation" and it rained every day. The ants were obviously interested in our dry pup, not to mention a banana peel that was left in the camper! We had ants everywhere! They were in our bunks and crawled on us while we slept. It made us nuts!When we returned home we popped her up for cleaning and discovered the little $#*& invited their ant friends! We had a major infestation going on. I know the rain had a lot to do with it, but this was ridiculous. My DH said they will all leave the pup and be eaten by the local lizards. Should I believe him or get some ant killer/boric acid/ajax/comet or ant motels? Quote from: maromeoTake a look at this photo. The white stuff on the ground and around the RV's is ajax or comet. We stayed there a few years ago and the ranger told us to use it around our camper because the park was infested with ants. It was a real problem, it only took them less than a few hours to get inside our PU.
http://www.californiacoastline.org/cgi-bin/image.cgi?image=9254&mode=big&lastmode=sequential&flags=0&year=2002
All the locals were using the cleanser around their RV's or tents. But I think boric acid would do the trick also.
Mary Romeo
Food grade Diotomaceous Earth is said to be an organic, chemical-free pest control method. Supposedly the DE acts as tiny razors on insects' exoskeletons and they dry out. They can't become resistant to it like other pesticides. And it is safe for humans and animals. Just take care not to breathe in the dust. This is different from the DE that is used in pool filters and pool filter DE should not be used as pest control. I'm not sure where to get it, but there are web sites out there with info on it. Luckily we've never had issues with ants so far.
Quote from: madkatz1Cool picture, Mary!
We just returned from a 4 night camping "vacation" and it rained every day. The ants were obviously interested in our dry pup, not to mention a banana peel that was left in the camper! We had ants everywhere! They were in our bunks and crawled on us while we slept. It made us nuts
We had the same problem; the ants were trying to find a dry place to live. I caught the little creeps carrying their little eggs along our power cord into the PUP. I moved the cord and they stopped. Don't know how many got in though.
I removed all of the food and cleaned the PUP thoroughly. Hopefully they