Mildew/canvas torn

[jonesfamilyny]

well opened up camper yesterday to get ready for this weekend - ants infested in poles near crank - only places so far.  I went thru whole camper didn't find any - no clue why on the poles. I put down ant traps and some ant gel in the crevis (sp) Also found mildew on canvas.  cleaned w/ bleach and water - didn't totally get rid of but a fairly decent job after 4 hours.  Two ?s - where do I find out about investing in new canvas  and I noticed a small tear and another worn area on where the canvas fits over the bunks metal corner. Can this be fixed to make it thru this summer. Also found a two small holes - someone said clear duck tape?  Any suggestions welcomed.

[77colemanapche]

as far as the canvas goes you could put a patch of canvas on the corner sew it in and i would think that would take care of it i my self am making all the canvas for my popup. id made them for my friends pop up last yr and got one my self this past weekend that needed new canvas all around i know you can buy it but im to scottish to pay that cash when i can do it my self i got some canvas on line. for the little critters i dont have any info but what you had already stated like ant traps. i hope this helps in any way for ya.

[SpeakEasy]

This isn't a direct answer, but a story about ants that you may find interesting.

Last summer, while on a three-week adventure, we "got ants." At first I thought it was just a few of them getting in to some juicy sweet fresh cherries we had bought. It turned out to be much more than that. I eventually found an infestation near the lid of the front storage compartment. I bought some ant spray and let them have it. I also sprayed the entire perimeter of the lower body of the camper, as well as the ground around the camper so they'd have no easy entry or exit. I was pretty sure I had taken care of the problem.

Then, the next day, the DW and I were sitting under the awning relaxing with our glasses of wine. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something move on one of the awning poles. We looked closer and there was a virtual parade of ants going up and down the pole! It looked like I95 during a holiday weekend! My spraying of the camper had omitted the poles as the only unsprayed exit point for the ants, so they had located it and were making full use of it. ARGH!

I applied more spray to the area. Then, after another day or two we packed up and moved to a new area. We had a full day of driving, and when we opened up in our new location, the entire rear bed-end was infested with ants. During our drive, they had moved to that location and had made it their home! It was disgusting to open up and find them, partly because it was unexpected and partly because they fell all over me while I was opening up the canvas! Fortunately they were not fire ants.

I was so upset that I felt I had no choice but to spray the canvas and screening and part of the mattress on the back bunk-end. I figured it wasn't good for the material to be sprayed, but I did it anyway. That was the last of the ants. They have not made a re-appearance, although I was concerned the first time I opened it up this spring to see what I might find. Also, I have noted no damage to the material from having been sprayed.

The moral of the story - don't take ants too lightly. They are persistant critters.

[jonesfamilyny]

I'm going to look into a canvas patch - i can't sew but hopefully a friend can.   ants - I guess I will need to look into again - better safe than sorry.  I can tell you my neighbors had a good laugh @ me last night screaming and wiggling around when I saw them  - i still feel like they are crawling on me.  so I'm going to make sure they are not in my bed!! have a great memorial day weekend - hopefully weather cooperates!

[SpeakEasy]

You might want to consider an iron-on patch if you can't sew. I've done an iron-on patch on a canvas tent, and it has worked out beautifully. They cost a couple of dollars at a Joanne Fabrics. If you can get a solid surface under the part you are going to repair (and a little bit bigger area as well), then you can use an iron-on patch.

[HersheyGirl]

Use Tear Aid, it is sold at the popuptimes store and works so much better than sewing.

[Spoon]

At least they weren't fire ants  :eyecrazy:  Then you would have had a big problem. Glad you got them under control!!