Carpenter ants in camper

Hello from Portland, Maine! Is PAbugman still around? I'm super excited to have a new pop up camper (new to us, 2005), but have now discovered CARPENTER ANTS! There are no "soft" spots where I see them traveling, but they have made a little hole in the seam of the ceiling. Right on the outer edge. They crawl back and forth from that to the corner and then I've seen them up in the `light fixture as well. Do you think I can treat them myself? I'm a newbie! Or, if they have a nest, which I'm assuming, do I have to have a new roof put on?! Ugh...
Thanks for any advice,
Tonya Bufano
P.S. Should I have the Orkin guy give it a spray? We have them here often for wasps.

 

I started a new thread for your topic as the other one was old and not quite the same subject.

Normally I advise people to use non-repellent insecticides containing the active ingredient : fipronil, such as Termidor or Taurus SC or Fuse, but since you see their range of activity and it is a confined space, I'd try an insecticide aerosol can that has an applicator tip and treat into the cracks and crevices. Hopefully you'll actually flush them out. When treating into overhead cracks and crevices, aerosols will work better as water based sprays will be difficult as gravity is working against you.

I'm not up to date on what aerosols are available over the counter that have applicator tips/tubes, but the important thing is to make sure it is for crawling insects as that will have a residual effect.

 

Personal application......

I have two vans that I move sound equipment in. One is more of a combo work van. I occasionally get ants carried in from the equipment. I cannot have anything sprayed or a wet fogger used in the vans. I use Raid Fumigators. Just one does the job. Since they are a dry fog they don't stain everything.

Raid dry fumigator

 

Thanks so much for advice! Should I seL up spaces with caulking? Will dead ants just disintegrate?

 

I think you're asking about sealing up spaces with caulking. I'd caulk exterior cracks and crevices after the ant problem is solved. It still may be necessary to treat exterior cracks and crevices as well as interior so don't get ahead of yourself.

In dry environments, insect body parts can stay viable for years. Not much one can do about it though. No odor from ants or their nest like can happen with bee/yellow jacket nests in wall voids.