Termites

[camelracer]

Has anyone had problems with termites in their camper? I have found evidence of termite infestation in the sink cabinet in my Granby. It's hard to tell the extent of the damage due to the plastic coating on the wood. I have found damage in a couple of joints and uncoated wood areas and treated with insecticide. My concern is whats going on in the areas I can't get to. I wonder if anyone has ever had a camper tented?

 

[Ronin]

I haven't had any problems with termites and I live in a forested area where I usually find termite infestations in fallen trees or rounds that that I've bucked. My understanding of termites is they generally need earth wood contact or they can build tubes to travel up to their wood source. I think that you would notice the tubes. Another possibility would be carpenter ants. Either way I don't envy your situation. Good luck!!

 

[SunMan]

Dick,
Not inside my camper, but found some minor damage underneath on the plywood spacer strips I installed to fit my old truck. Fortunately I was able to remove them when I installed new thicker strips to accommodate my new truck. Treated with Jasco before I repainted the whole underside. Maybe try a termite fogger?

 

[craig333]

First time I've seen this posted. Maybe some wood that was brought inside? I bought a bbq set with wooden handles, imported from china and the wood was honeycombed with tunnels from some kind of insect. Surprised they let that into the country.

 

[camelracer]

I probably picked them up while hauling campfire wood in Baja. I'll take the cabinet apart so I can get to the infested areas and treat them. I should also take the camper off the truck to check the floor pack. It needs painting anyway.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

I probably picked them up while hauling campfire wood in Baja. I'll take the cabinet apart so I can get to the infested areas and treat them. I should also take the camper off the truck to check the floor pack. It needs painting anyway.

That is the reason transporting camp firewood from one area to another isn't allowed.
Frank

 

[Bill D]

I probably picked them up while hauling campfire wood in Baja. I'll take the cabinet apart so I can get to the infested areas and treat them. I should also take the camper off the truck to check the floor pack. It needs painting anyway.

I'll learn from your lesson. Thanks. I hope you solve your issue rapidly.
I never would have thought about damage to ones own camper from hauling wood.

 

[roverjohn]

Did you see any 'pelletized' droppings around the damage? And did you actually see termites or just the damage?

 

[PackRat]

The 60 yr old Monterey Cypress and the 58 yr old Pine we had to take down at my house in Novato both had wood borers in them. They weakened individual branches which sagged/broke on the Cypress and the Pine had a nasty sap-like substance running down the bark. The Pine had just about lost all its needles as well. The arborist who took down the pine and eventually the Cypress said they had just about lived as long as thos species can be expected to.

Point is....not all boring damage can be attributed to termites....another reason why carrying firewood from one area to another is a no-no. The forests are in bad enough shape as it is from the drought and the beetles and such that giving the critters a free ride to another area is a bad idea.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

The 60 yr old Monterey Cypress and the 58 yr old Pine we had to take down at my house in Novato both had wood borers in them. They weakened individual branches which sagged/broke on the Cypress and the Pine had a nasty sap-like substance running down the bark. The Pine had just about lost all its needles as well. The arborist who took down the pine and eventually the Cypress said they had just about lived as long as thos species can be expected to.

Point is....not all boring damage can be attributed to termites....another reason why carrying firewood from one area to another is a no-no. The forests are in bad enough shape as it is from the drought and the beetles and such that giving the critters a free ride to another area is a bad idea.

Great advice. One of the first things asked when you cross into Canada is
are you carrying camp firewood? One time I watched the border people search and take away wood from the camper behind us.
Thanks.
Frank

 

[camelracer]

I pulled the face off the cabinet today and found several passages and a couple of the culprits. I injected an oil based termite solution in the cavities and I hope this takes care of them. I'll keep an eye for droppings.

I normally don't bring firewood when forest camping. This was milled lumber for Baja beach camping.