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jeremywatco's avatar
jeremywatco
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013

Campground Hosts & Ants?

Was out at San Mateo campground this past weekend (San Onofre S/B) and it was great! Clean, great weather couldnt have asked for more.

Was curious though.. I couldnt help but notice that the campground had 6 campground hosts sites all with campground hosts stationed in them. Being that the campground is rather small I was trying to get any opinions on why there would be so many?


Only bad thing about the campground were the ants.. seemed to get into everything. I had a nice line of them marching up my power cord and into the basement area. I have no clue where they were going once in there but I followed them as far as I could and them lost them... no leaks anywhere.. maybe just exploring. Any tips for Ants? I saw a bunch of people spreading white powder down on anything touching the ground. Any idea what the ants would be doing in the basement?
  • SCVJeff's avatar
    SCVJeff
    Explorer
    Sep 10, 2013
    old guy wrote:
    looking for food what else?
    The spare hosts or the ants?
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Sep 10, 2013
    jeremywatco wrote:
    Any idea what the ants would be doing in the basement?
    That's where your power cord took them. They're on their way to the kitchen.
  • tenbear's avatar
    tenbear
    Explorer
    Sep 10, 2013
    The white powder could be Borax. I'd say you need something to keep the ants out or you will have them long after you leave the CG.
  • dcason's avatar
    dcason
    Explorer
    Sep 10, 2013
    terro inside and preventative ant spray around your site.
  • eubank's avatar
    eubank
    Explorer
    Sep 10, 2013
    Parks often employ volunteers for a variety of jobs, not just campground hosting. I suspect some of yours were other volunteers.
    :)
    Lynn
  • Dog_Folks's avatar
    Dog_Folks
    Explorer
    Sep 10, 2013
    Perhaps all the "hosts" were not hosts. Many campgrounds also have volunteers that perform other functions like maintenance, trail cleaning, working booths, etc. These folks many times, also have a free site. It is often located away from the regular campground in a "Volunteer Village."

    As you mentioned that this was a smaller park, perhaps they are placing the volunteers within the campground. Ask a host. They usually are friendly and will answer your questions.
  • Ron3rd's avatar
    Ron3rd
    Explorer III
    Sep 10, 2013
    We've been to San Mateo around 20 or more times and have not been hit with ants. But, it can happen anywhere. I the old days, people would sprinkle Ajax (the white powder) around the tires, jacks, etc, but that has been banned at San Mateo and all state campgrounds as it's considered toxic. There are powders you can use like borax, talc, etc that some folks use.

    BTW, we just got hit with ants up at Lake Casitas, about 200 miles north of San Mateo. First time in 9 years we had a ant problem and it was no fun. They came down of the roof of the trailer via a tree. Got rid of most of them with ant spray outside but brought a few home too!

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