poly-ester mites

Question

Every year those of us who live along the I-10 corridor have to contend with an influx of the dreaded poly-ester mites . In the fall female mites lay their eggs on the surface of fiberglass , about the first of this month the eggs hatch and the new born feed on the " ester " in poly-ester resin used in most fiberglass products . The cure is to apply a coat of paste wax which will deny the mites oxygen and kill them .
Some are concerned that global warming will extend the range of these mites .
As I say you should start looking for these about April the first every year !

ranger_smith · Answer

Yea . . . Mine came early  and ate holes in the RV. They grew to about a 1/2". Called insurance to file a claim for all the holes in the rv.

jimk-ny · Answer

I agree. These things have become a major issue. I have holes in my RV bedding, curtains and some of my clothing. They dine so well that they grow to the point where you can actually see them like miniature maggots everywhere.

I wonder if insect smoke bombs will kill them.

cferguson · Answer

I just burn my awning every year and replace with a new one. Cheaper to just replace than do all that climbing and maybe break my neck. I aint as spry as I used to be.

navegator · Answer

Yep it is as bad as the "Terredoglaseusnavalis" eats the huls of the new boats, rudders etc. You have to be vigilant of any hull scrape and haul the vessel out every two years to check for it, I have a friend that gets me a vaseline that is used in hospitals, a little thicker than the one sold in pharmacies I apply it with a mop, stays on about 3 months, then wash the RV with Coleman's white stove gas, no mites and no holes.

navegator

grit_dog · Answer

OMG!  This is a thing?Whats not an April fools joke is the neighbor kid caught 2 large trees on fire with a bottle rocket yesterday!  I was sure it was a joke until it wasn’t as weird as that sounds....

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poly-ester mites

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