Toilet fleas?

[pbnjsellers]

This is a strange and slightly embarrassing question - we are powering up the 345 for the summer trip, but find that some sort of black flea-like critters have taken up residence in the toilet tank! What could possibly live there? What could possibly kill what could possibly live there? Is there some sort of remedy that is environmentally sound, or should we just blast the little buggers with something nasty? Ewwwwww!

[balrgn]

Originally Posted by pbnjsellers

This is a strange and slightly embarrassing question - we are powering up the 345 for the summer trip, but find that some sort of black flea-like critters have taken up residence in the toilet tank! What could possibly live there? What could possibly kill what could possibly live there? Is there some sort of remedy that is environmentally sound, or should we just blast the little buggers with something nasty? Ewwwwww!

Are they Black Flies maybe? (Midgies) Tis the season. NUKE EM!

[till]

I have seen something like what your talking about. We kill them with bleach.

[Tom Nugler]

We also acquire these little critters every year. About an 1/8 of an inch long and somewhat tri-angular in shape. Cleaning the tank throughly seems to kill them off at the end of the season, but, I always seem to find a few of the expired little buggers in the bathroom before every trip. They don't appear to bite like you would expect a flea would. Is Beck's beer a natural repellant?
I always figured the adults entered the tank through the two breather vents on the roof, in which at one time had screens. Might be worth while to you to take a look and check them out.
Tom.

[jcanavera]

We have had situations where after taking the trailer out after storage the first uses of the toilet releases some type of flying bug which seems to have multiplied in the holding tank between trips. We finally figured out that if we dump the tank and do nothing else, the little flying insects multiply in the tank between outings.

What we found was by dumping the tank, then adding a normal dose of holding tank chemical followed by at least one 1/2 bowl flush, no insects would multiply in the tank between outings. It works every time, so the concentrated holding tank chemical and water pretty much make the tank environment foreign to any insects that may come through the vent stack when the trailer isn't being used.

Jack

[Devoman]

I use orkin to spray my house but would it be ok to spray the Airstream?Is this a good idea to do?Would it hurt anything?
What methods would i use to keep the little buggers out and where do i have to look to do this.Thanks

[Pick]

The triangular shaped flies are called "Drain Flys". They are harmless, but a PITA to have around, as are any insects.

[TomW]

Originally Posted by Devoman

I use orkin to spray my house but would it be ok to spray the Airstream?...

I spray the interior perimeter of my Overlander with bug spray from the local home improvement store. No reason to think that bugs will not have enter an Airstream.

By Orkin, I assume you mean a professional service. Yes, get him to spray it. But open up the lower storage areas, and remove any bins before he gets there.

Tom

[Tin Hut]

Could be worse, check out this experience

http://www.campingworld.com/cforum/i...g/1/page/1.cfm

[TomW]

Originally Posted by Tin Hut

Could be worse...

, But:

Originally Posted by distraught flusher

The sealand foot pedal has never snapped back up.

Perhaps the pedal could have been assisted by operator intervention?

Sounds like RV "natural selection" to me. Some people just aren't meant to enjoy the great outdoors.

Tom