Insects coming into van

Post it here, if it doesn't fit any of the above.

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

User avatar
T3luestar
Registered user
Posts: 620
Joined: 07 May 2012, 10:31
80-90 Mem No: 13845
Location: Widnes

Insects coming into van

Post by T3luestar »

After a recent trip to Scotland, I noticed there seemed to be a few insects inside the van. It got me thinking to whether they could be coming in the vents while travelling and what could be done to stop it.

User avatar
Oldiebut goodie
Registered user
Posts: 7259
Joined: 18 Apr 2008, 01:19
80-90 Mem No: 11135
Location: Eastern Angle

Re: Insects coming into van

Post by Oldiebut goodie »

Don't go to Scotland!
If it is the midges you will be hard put to stop the little blighters. Midge proof mesh will keep them out but will soon clog with road dust etc. I never used to use the vents but relied on fresh air via the windows which I made midge proof screens for. The little sods still bit me to ribbons once getting out of the van though.
1.6D 2019 VW T-Cross
200hp VW T6
1̶Y̶ ̶1̶9̶8̶7̶ ̶H̶i̶-̶t̶o̶p̶ ̶C̶a̶r̶a̶v̶e̶l̶l̶e̶
5̶0̶8̶d̶ ̶M̶e̶r̶c̶

User avatar
T3luestar
Registered user
Posts: 620
Joined: 07 May 2012, 10:31
80-90 Mem No: 13845
Location: Widnes

Re: Insects coming into van

Post by T3luestar »

Hahaha, I was forced there to attend a wedding. Scenery was nice though.
I was thinking about some sort of mesh, but like you say the concern was about how often it'll need cleaning. It wasn't a major problem, just an annoyance.

RogerT
Registered user
Posts: 1798
Joined: 10 May 2013, 11:59
80-90 Mem No: 13706
Location: Central Scotland

Re: Insects coming into van

Post by RogerT »

Citronella candles can provide a good deterrent if you accept that there is no way to stop them all getting in. We use those cheap wee tin later s with a citronella tea light in. Also if you have an awning then an insect repellant coil can work well. And if you can keep them out, there’s Avon Skin So Soft, or any number of proprietary anti mozzy lotions, sprays, and finally a midge net.

Or just stay away from the beautiful Highlands...
Have you ever seen an unhappy fool?

88 Transporter with hitop camper conversion, 1.6td.

User avatar
CovKid
Trader
Posts: 8409
Joined: 30 Apr 2006, 13:19
80-90 Mem No: 3529
Location: Ralph - Coventry (Retired)
Contact:

Re: Insects coming into van

Post by CovKid »

A bug zapper also helps to catch those that make it past all physical barriers. I have a 6v battery-powered one (below) that I have since converted to run off the leisure battery. Seems to finish the little blighters off.

Image
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.

User avatar
Oldiebut goodie
Registered user
Posts: 7259
Joined: 18 Apr 2008, 01:19
80-90 Mem No: 11135
Location: Eastern Angle

Re: Insects coming into van

Post by Oldiebut goodie »

Is it good for midges though? Usually anything smaller than a mozzy has to do gymnastics to get themselves zapped.
1.6D 2019 VW T-Cross
200hp VW T6
1̶Y̶ ̶1̶9̶8̶7̶ ̶H̶i̶-̶t̶o̶p̶ ̶C̶a̶r̶a̶v̶e̶l̶l̶e̶
5̶0̶8̶d̶ ̶M̶e̶r̶c̶

User avatar
CovKid
Trader
Posts: 8409
Joined: 30 Apr 2006, 13:19
80-90 Mem No: 3529
Location: Ralph - Coventry (Retired)
Contact:

Re: Insects coming into van

Post by CovKid »

Seems to work well in the evenings, and certainly overnight everything makes a beeline for it. Its better than that high frequency noise you suddenly hear when you're under the duvet. :shock:
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.

User avatar
CJH
Registered user
Posts: 3018
Joined: 15 Jul 2013, 06:51
80-90 Mem No: 12576
Location: Nottingham

Re: Insects coming into van

Post by CJH »

Ralph

Don't confuse the mozzies that we get down here with the nano beasties that plague parts of Scotland for some of the year. They hunt in clouds, get through normal insect mesh, and make the camping/outdoor life utterly unbearable. Having had them ruin a tour of the highlands a few summers ago, I've vowed only to go back out of midge season.
"I'm a man of means, by no means....King of the Road!"

1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ

User avatar
CovKid
Trader
Posts: 8409
Joined: 30 Apr 2006, 13:19
80-90 Mem No: 3529
Location: Ralph - Coventry (Retired)
Contact:

Re: Insects coming into van

Post by CovKid »

Avoid Scotland seems to be the most effective solution :D
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.

RogerT
Registered user
Posts: 1798
Joined: 10 May 2013, 11:59
80-90 Mem No: 13706
Location: Central Scotland

Re: Insects coming into van

Post by RogerT »

CovKid wrote:Avoid Scotland seems to be the most effective solution :D

:ok
Suits the rest of us. Any other nice places we should ask people to avoid? I’ve heard the Lake District is full of big hills that wreck engines, while Northumberland has castles that can drop bits on vans...
Have you ever seen an unhappy fool?

88 Transporter with hitop camper conversion, 1.6td.

California Dreamin
Registered user
Posts: 2673
Joined: 03 Apr 2007, 12:54
80-90 Mem No: 8386
Location: Nottingham

Re: Insects coming into van

Post by California Dreamin »

Sliding door and tailgate nets are available, an absolute godsend when its hot .. we have often slept with sliding door open as the netting does give some privacy and comfort.

Martin
1989 California 2.1MV

User avatar
Oldiebut goodie
Registered user
Posts: 7259
Joined: 18 Apr 2008, 01:19
80-90 Mem No: 11135
Location: Eastern Angle

Re: Insects coming into van

Post by Oldiebut goodie »

Are they midge proof though? If not they are a waste of time in Scotland, the midges go straight through standard netting.
1.6D 2019 VW T-Cross
200hp VW T6
1̶Y̶ ̶1̶9̶8̶7̶ ̶H̶i̶-̶t̶o̶p̶ ̶C̶a̶r̶a̶v̶e̶l̶l̶e̶
5̶0̶8̶d̶ ̶M̶e̶r̶c̶

User avatar
bigbadbob76
Registered user
Posts: 1733
Joined: 07 Nov 2016, 14:41
80-90 Mem No: 15707
Location: Isle of Skye

Re: Insects coming into van

Post by bigbadbob76 »

Image

I've had them coming in the vents too, On night near Appin when we had to decamp at 4AM with the windows open and the fan on full to clear them.
Never found a really good solution though.

They're attracted to CO2 so don't use the propex if you have one.
Avoid parking in damp shady spots with lots of vegitation nearby.
If you can find a slight breeze that's enough to keep them down.
'86 1.9 DG, 4 spd, tintop, camper conversion.
Split case club member.

User avatar
lloydy
Registered user
Posts: 8013
Joined: 24 Nov 2009, 17:54
80-90 Mem No: 5262
Location: cheam surrey

Re: Insects coming into van

Post by lloydy »

Best bet is to just have a wife who’s a kinda lightening rod.
Time is a drug. Too much of it kills you

User avatar
clift_d
Registered user
Posts: 3290
Joined: 04 Oct 2012, 23:51
80-90 Mem No: 11695
Location: Hackney innit

Re: Insects coming into van

Post by clift_d »

Only surefire method is to go outside of midge season.
1988 LHD T25 1.6TD Westfalia Club Joker Hightop syncro

Post Reply