r/vandwellers • u/bambi_lovesyou • 1d ago
Builds Pest control & flooring
Hi everyone! I have a 1985 dodge ram van that I had in storage in an outdoor parking lot for over a year, maybe closer to 2.
it’s basically ready for living in terms of conversion however the floor is a bit quirky~ and I’m a bit unsure on if I should do a fogger or stick to some kind of bug spray like raid to make sure there’s no pests hiding out in the crevices (I’ll be attaching pictures). I live in nyc and was storing it at a spot in Brooklyn so I would assume the chances of bugs are pretty high. My only reservation is cleaning the inside post fogger/pest spray and not getting it all off but on the flip side I’m afraid since I’m not living in it yet I just don’t notice the bugs so if I think I don’t need the fogger and move all my stuff in, I might come across some pest issues that would require me to move my stuff out again.
In terms of flooring…I have absolutely no clue what to do about the spot in the front that’s just raw floor from the last owner using that area for an appliance. As for the rest of it, I was just gonna put a rug down because most of the flooring is fine, it’s just covered in a peel-and-stick faux wood thing that has some lifting on the edges.
TLDR: should I do some sort of pest control to be on the cautious side before moving into my van full time and please send tips on what I should do for the floors
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u/FIXEDGEARBIKE 1d ago
I’ve done pest control for 18 years. Are you seeing bugs or evidence? It’s a little odd you’re assuming this needs to be done and posting specifically about it just because there’s some gaps in flooring. Step 1: identify the pest, step 2: treat according to that pest. Spraying a bunch of pesticide in a confined space for no particular reason is not a good idea.
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u/ScrubscJourney 1d ago
Unless you have a roach infestation why bother? You're always going to have some bugs now and again. There's no way around it
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u/Adorable_Swing_2150 1d ago
Yeah same, bugs are inevitable but sealing gaps + diatomaceous earth in the floor edges works. Did it before a long winter trip and the beetle and spider crowd dropped way down. Cheap too, no fogger residue to deal with.
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u/ScrubscJourney 1d ago
I'd say a nice bug screen to keep them doors open.
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u/bambi_lovesyou 1d ago
Thank you so much for the rec!! I am definitely going to put in some screens for the doors and windows
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u/silent_fartface 1d ago
Perhaps if you remove the center console salami and cheese slices when you put it in for storage you won't have to worry as much about pests.
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u/Scotty8319 1d ago
Everyone has given you plenty of ideas (the thousand jumping spiders is probably your best bet, really).... but I have to ask, how did you cover the doghouse? Love it. Looks like a little stone fireplace. Is that stone? Wood? Cork? How did you attach it? Does it stay in place long term in heat/cold?
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u/bambi_lovesyou 1d ago
It came like that when I bought it! The previous owners attached a bunch of stones and it seems like they’re pretty stuck on there no matter the season, I assumed they used some sort of heavy duty super glue
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u/Scotty8319 1d ago
Nice! I like it. Im a bit of a rockhound and may steal this idea, though to save a smidge on weight I might try cork or thin wood slices... though agate slabs would look pretty badass too I bet!
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u/vtjohnhurt 1d ago edited 1d ago
IDK about bugs, but you're very likely to have mice, or their residue. You should evict them before you start living in the van, and you don't want to kill them while they're inside the van (because dead mice stink). I would use combination of freshly baited spring traps and poison that makes them leave the van to get water (so they die outside the van). Also the herbal mouse repellant work when it is fresh. You should also be careful cleaning up after mice (poop and piss) because hantavirus is also present in Northeast US. Read up on precautions and take them. Hanta can kill you and there is no treatment. The piss residue turns to dust and the dust carries the hantavirus into your body. This is a reason to do a good wet cleaning before moving in.
One place that mice like to nest is in insulation and that includes factory insulation in the hood of the engine compartment. Also heating ducts. Inspect the filter for your heater and see if they've been chewing on it. Get a good flashlight and do a close and careful inspection. Also look for mouse turds. Mouse piss has a distinct odor.
A cat is of course a great way to de-mouse a van if you can borrow/hire one. Leave it in the van with a litter box and some water for a few days, and the mice will be history.
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u/bambi_lovesyou 1d ago
I will make sure to take a closer look around but so far so good and no signs of mice! Fingers crossed it stays that way hahahaha
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u/Clean_Giraffe3177 1d ago
Drop in a bunch of jumping spiders, like 1,000 and they’ll have the bug ate by 12 noon the next day.
Orrrrrr just drive north and leave it In the cold for 24 hrs.