Termites in My Rig??!!

[Catalina362]

(I have a problem with) "...termites. I have tried to fumigate them but there seems to be no response. The only hope I had was when I was running it with the cover off the engine compartment , it must have asfixiated them, because the next day there were about a hundred dead termites on the dash board and around the windows that surround the drivers compartment. Is there any thing better or permanent that I can do, other than proffessionaly tent it?"

[Oz]

Sent: 10/27/2005 11:14 PM


The following information resourced from:

http://www.epestsupply.com/termite_identification.htm

termiteworker.jpg (3128 bytes)Subterranean Termite
Identification

        Before you decide on a treatment plan for termites, it is very important to determine the species you are dealing with.  In the southern part of the United States, subterranean termites are the most common.  Subterranean termites are the underground termite and travel in mud shelter tubes.  They make up about 90% of the termite infestations in the United States.  Subterranean termite species that are the most common are the Eastern subterranean termite, Arid Land subterranean termite and the western subterranean termite.  Formosan termites are also a species of subterranean termite that are common in areas of Louisiana, Texas and Florida.  If you live more than 500 miles from the gulf coast, it is likely that your termites are subterranean.

        Drywood termites live in drywood and do not need moisture from the ground to Survive.  Drywood termites are most common in areas near the Gulf Coast and in Southern California.  Drywood termites require a different treatment than subterranean termites, so it is important if you live in these areas to determine what species you have.  You could have both subterranean termites and drywood termites at the same time, and they would require 2 different treatments to control them.  Click here for more info on Drywood termites.
        termitecompare.jpg (4011 bytes)Subterranean Termite Swarmer
        (note: black body / white wings)Drywood Termite Swarmer
        (note: red body / black wings)


        Ants or Termites?  It is also possible that you are not dealing with termites at all.  Carpenter ants look very similar to swarming termites due to the fact that both reproductive stages have wings.  If you find signs of winged insects, don't panic and assume that they are automatically termites.  Carefully pick one up and look at under a magnifying glass.  Look for the most common sign - the color.  Subterranean termite swarmers are solid black, drywood swarmers are solid red, while carpenter ants are usually red and black or dark brown.  The other big difference is in the body.  Termites all have a long body with no small segments attached.  Ants always have a thin neck and a thin waist.  Check out the chart below to help determine the difference.  If you think you have carpenter ants, then don't go any further, because carpenter ants require a totally different treatment than termites.  Click here for more info on Carpenter Ants.

 
        Ants species that are commonly confused with subterranean termite swarmers are carpenter ants and fire ants.  Both of these ant species have winged reproductives that swarm in the early spring and randomly during the year.  The important thing to remember however, is that subterranean termites only swarm in the spring in the US, and occasionally in the fall.  Subterranean termite swarmers are very poor fliers and only use their wings to swarm.  They will break them off soon after swarming to make crawling easier.  They will then search out a mate and pair off to start a new colony.  You may encounter piles of broken wings, especially on window sills, and near areas of sunlight such as doorways, etc.  Winged ants do not break off their wings and are very strong fliers.  Compare your critters to the chart above to determine what you have.  If you have ants, visit our ant section or click here for more information on how to control them.

        In coastal areas of the US, drywood termites are common.  Drywood termite swarmers differ from subterranean termites in appearance primarily in color.   Drywood termite swarmers are red with blackish wings - and can be confused with Florida carpenter ants.
        For more information on drywood termites, click here.

        If you do not see signs of swarming, then there are other signs that you can look for.  The most obvious sign of subterranean termite infestation is mud tunneling.  Subterranean termites build mud shelter tubes in which they travel.   These mud shelter tubes are connected with the termite colony and are constructed of dirt and an acid substance that the worker termites secrete.  The mud shelter tube helps to protect the worker termites from predators such as ants, and also provides them with humidity.  Most importantly, mud shelter tubes give the blind worker and soldier termites a highway in which to travel to and from their food sources. Mud shelter tubes are very hard packed, and usually as they get older, they get harder and larger.   Some mud shelter tubes are as small as a pen others can be several inches wide.


        Once you've positively identified the insect, that will help determine the eradication.  This website also provides do-it-yourself treatments.  Whatever the critter, is sounds like they are liking you rig because the wood is moist and easy to chew.... bad news!  You've got a lot of rotted wood, which means you've got some substantial leaks and the structural integrity of the body is in danger and... if the rig is parked close to your house, well, you've got even worse problems.

        No doubt, you will need to remove the outer skin,determine the full extent of the damage, and replace it all.  If you let it go, pieces of wood will start falling out of your rig as you drive down the road.  And if they are in the frontal area, that could be real bad!  Ask Dave Bastiani what it's like to have a side panel start wanting to make a right turn while you are going straight.

        The good news is, all the information you need to re-build the thermo-panels is right here, and it's simple wood work for the rest.

[denisondc]

 
Sent: 10/28/2005 1:54 PM


The potential problem is having termites or equivalent bugs in a setting close to the house. Its the same reason you shouldn stack firewood against the house either. I would think 4 feet would be enough distance. And periodically using the RV will discourage any infestation, from ants to mice. Also keeping it dry helps. When our Winny would sit idle over the winter, I would have a dehumidifier in it, and run it after each spell of damp weather. I had the dehumidifer on the counter, and it would drain into one of the sink drains.

[Thren1]

Sent: 10/27/2005 11:23 PM

Hello!
I have my camper parked close to my house.   Is there a potential problem there?  There are so many tree in the back yard, I was afraid to leave it elsewhere as tree branches might fall on it.  Thanks!

[Oz]

Sent: 10/28/2005 12:05 PM


I keep my rig next to the house; actually, it's only about 4 feet away from it.  Mainly because there's no room anywhere else to put it... very small yard and it's much safer than on the street! 

No real potential problem unless you have termites or carpenter ants in your house, you don't move your rig for long periods of time, and you have a lot of rotted wood in the rig.

The subterranean termites have nests in the ground and would have to make mud tunnels up the tires and into the rig.  Not really a good thing for them if the rig is even moved a couple of inches every week or so. 

Carpenter ants, however, will make their nest in the wood itself.  Again, they like moist, rotting wood, and their presence is pretty obvious.

Insect infestation like this is really only a threat if a rig has sat for a long period of time, in the same spot, and the roof has leaked for some time.

I keep my rig next to the house; actually, it's only about 4 feet away from it.  Mainly because there's no room anywhere else to put it... very small yard and it's much safer than on the street! 

No real potential problem unless you have termites or carpenter ants in your house, you don't move your rig for long periods of time, and you have a lot of rotted wood in the rig.

The subterranean termites have nests in the ground and would have to make mud tunnels up the tires and into the rig.  Not really a good thing for them if the rig is even moved a couple of inches every week or so. 

Carpenter ants, however, will make their nest in the wood itself.  Again, they like moist, rotting wood, and their presence is pretty obvious.

Insect infestation like this is really only a threat if a rig has sat for a long period of time, in the same spot, and the roof has leaked for some time.