Community Forums

mickeyleighe · 03-14-2011, 10:42 AM

Thanks to all the helpful suggestions for getting my RV from Florida to Washington state. My 28 ft Golden Falcon 5th wheel arrived last night at ten thirty! I am so happy to finally have my home again.
This morning when I went out to check on things I noticed a 5 inch pile of whitish flaky residue. It is right under the kitchen window on the countertop. The RV was stored, uncovered, since last June in Kissimmee, Florida. Does anyone know what it could be?
Also any suggestions on how to get rid of the cockroach that hitched a ride? (Of course I got rid of the one that I found in the empty fridge, but where there's one of those little beasties, there's usually more.)
I haven't moved back in yet, but would like to sleep in my own bed again tonight, so any suggestions you all might have for my little "home on wheels" will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
(6 years full-timer in a travel trailer. This is my first fifth wheel.)
Mickeyleighe

rough road · 03-14-2011, 11:35 AM

Clould the white stuff be roach powder/bait?

Retired and Happy · 03-14-2011, 11:54 AM

Without a picture of the residue..., it could be some food item that dried and left the residue. Potatoes, rice, etc.

There are many ways to get rid of the pests..a no-odor spray around the baseboards and maybe behind many drawers. I had at least one in my floor furnace vents, so some spray in each outlet gave me some peace of mind. There are also different types of controls that can be set in out of the way places, like under the bottom drawer that will help control additional bugs. Some people swear by boric acid placed in some sort of cap, also in out of the way places. I think the acid has to be mixed with something to lure the bugs to it, like sugar maybe.

Ray,IN · 03-14-2011, 02:20 PM

One of the best pest killers, and non-toxic to warm-blooded animals is food-grade Diatomaceous EarthBuy Diatomaceous Earth to kill fleas, ticks, bed bugs and parasites naturally

mickeyleighe · 03-14-2011, 05:30 PM

Okay, a photo is a great idea. I.ll see if I can post a photo. It's not any kind of pesticide. It appears to be coming from just above the window frame. It is pyramid type pile and looks as if the tiny flakes have been accumulating for some time. A neighbor came over and looked at it and said he has never seen anything like it. His RV is the same year as mine, 2000, so I hoped he would know what it is...thanks for the help with the roach problem. I have two dogs, so don't want anything dangerous...think I'll try the diatomacious earth.
Thanks for all the help...this is such a great site...I'm glad I found it! My 14 year old grandson has been trying to research that strange mound of stuff, but I told him we would have better luck here. I'll get that photo as soon as I find the camera. Did I mention I only had my fifth wheel a few days before moving to Washington? I have a lot to learn!

mickeyleighe · 03-14-2011, 06:17 PM

Here are a couple photos...sorry they are so dark, but no power yet.

Route 66 · 03-14-2011, 06:24 PM

Termite droppings?

Gary RVRoamer · 03-14-2011, 06:33 PM

Beats me. I've lived in Florida for 38 years and never saw anything like it. Not termites, or at least not any variety of termite I've come across.

Elkhartjim · 03-14-2011, 06:39 PM

Termites. Call a Pest Control Co for confirmation and treatment.

lllkrob · 03-14-2011, 06:47 PM

To get rid of most any unwanted "bug" type pest try " RAID Fumigator ". Set off one of those before moving back in and you should be free of the bug type inhabitants.

rough road · 03-15-2011, 04:55 AM

Unless someone did work mounting/repairing something I would have to go with a wood boring insect also; but as the rv is probably made of mostly osb/mdf?
The area would seem to be in the right spot for a leak, which would cause some dampness which would explain insects..........

doc · 03-15-2011, 11:42 AM

Betting that it is powder post beetles. Check the powder deposits on the shielded cable in the photo. Powderpost beetles POWDER POST BEETLE CONTROL wood worm destroying insects

Ray,IN · 03-16-2011, 08:17 PM

I just re-read your post with pictures and a light went on (really a shot in the dark). Aluminum, which is the window frame and structure frame(if you have that), will corrode with this white powder when it is being eaten away by electrolysis. Not saying that is your problem, but a candidate.This can happen when aluminum and steel are in direct, long-term contact.

RV Wizard · 03-17-2011, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lllkrob

To get rid of most any unwanted "bug" type pest try " RAID Fumigator ". Set off one of those before moving back in and you should be free of the bug type inhabitants.

Be very careful with these that all the appliances are turned off. A spark from a DSI board could ignite this flammable material rather easily. Remember, the square (or even cubic) footage is much smaller than a stick house, that these bombs were designed for. In an RV they literally are bombs. They will also contaminate all of your safety detectors to where, they may have to be replaced.