Ants have infested Marshmallow (Chevrolet Astro Problem)

[Basement Yeti]

So I noticed a few ants when I first arrived in San Diego but didn't think much of it. Then I noticed a lot more. Long story short after pulling EVERYTHING out of my van I found nests all over the front of the van under and inside the heat shield/fire retardant. I vacuumed for 2 hours straight and the ants kept coming.

This rubber mat and fire retardant needs to go. But what do I replace it with that is less ant prone?

The ants were also living INSIDE and under my plywood floor, so I ripped that out and plan to bedline the entire rear of the van.

Also, I just noticed that fire retardant/heat shield was soaking wet in places, thus supporting life more, maybe fungi.

I need to get that stuff outta there!

 

[Basement Yeti]

Ok, so I think I want to bed line the ENTIRE van, front and rear. Then get some oversize carpets for the front passenger and driver seats as well as the center and affix some heat shield to the underside of them.

Now, I need to figure out how hot that front area gets as well as the area on the passenger side and get some bed liner that can withstand that.

I found this stuff that is rated to 2,000 degrees!
http://www.chirienterprise.com/WhataLiner/WhataLiner.html

I also found this stuff on Amazon that can withstand 1,750 degrees.
http://www.amazon.com/DEI-050501-Fl...43AW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310248478&sr=8-1

Suggestions or opinions?

 

[RocKrawler]

I'll be using Al's Liner on and in my van for quieting things down and providing cover for the sun damaged roof. They also have a new spray on heat shield for what you are looking for, although I don't know how necessary it would be as the standard liner is pretty durable stuff. It's also paint match capable by omitting the black color from the box and getting a pint of pigment without binder from your local paint supply shop with whatever paint code for great versatility if you don't want the standard black, tan or grey it comes with from the factory. Check the stuff out, it's a very cool do it yourself product, and I'll be doing a write up my thread on it when it's done. It's also convenient we sell it at m work!

http://www.alsliner.com

 

[Basement Yeti]

I'm worried about the toxicity considering I'll be using it on the inside and I wonder if this stuff would be better.
http://hypersealinc.com/index.php/anti-slip-coating/anti-slip-coating.html

I wonder if I'd need a heat shield if I were to bedline the entire van. There isn't one now, just this ick jute fiber mat.

 

[shawn_nj]

I gutted the entire inside of my van and had it Rhinolined a few days after I bought it. The smell was completely gone in about 4days. The first 2 days I left the windows open if it was not raining. Not cheap but I love the way it came out and its held up VERY well with sand and salt water covered jetskis being thrown in the back.

 

[kjp1969]

First of all, sit down and take a deep breath- this is not a big problem.
Park the van somewhere very hot for a day. It's July, shouldn't be hard to find. Ants will die.

Then find the cause of the water leak, and plug it. Then put everything back in, it will be fine.

Don't bother with bed line or anything like that- your water problem is a leak. Bedliner won't fix that. How did the ants get in?

 

[Basement Yeti]

Perhaps I should update and clarify some things.

I was never happy with the way the interior floor was done on my van. I kind of did it haphazardly.

The sub floor I put down was plywood and all manner of crumbs, wood shavings, and dead bugs got under it creating a breeding ground for the ants. They got in through a drain in the front of the van and through the hole my secondary battery cables pass through after discovering a dead hornet under my hood.

Secondly the jute fiber mat under the rubber flooring in the front is just shot. 8 years old, it's gotten soaked a bunch of times and is moldy and nasty. The floor underneath is showing the slight beginnings of rust, as well as a few of the steps on my van. I've yet to discover where the leak is coming from but will find it once I remove the front jute fiber and rubber mat.

This ant invasion is a good opportunity for me to protect my investment. Sure I don't absolutely need to bed line the floor, but it will be one less thing to worry about while I'm pulling tools, water jugs, and camping equipment in and out of my van.

I have the van emptied, and the floor completely bare. I might as well invest in a good bed liner, that way whatever I put on top, I don't need to worry about.

So, I found these guys.
http://www.chirienterprise.com/WhataLiner/OrderWhataLiner.html

I talked with the owner today in depth about his product. It's completely inert during and while drying. For $125.00 bucks I can be sure the floor of my van is protected for a long time. To boot, it's glass suspended in an acrylic resin with lots of little air pockets, it well help to keep the van cooler, if just slightly.

Secondly I will be putting down FatMat in the front passenger area, or just a basic heat shielding product. I have not decided yet.

In the rear of the van there is no reason to have proper flooring all throughout. My bed and storage will take up all but 3 feet of that 6 foot space, so I'm simply going to put down some interlocking foam tiles in the area I kneel on, sit on, and relax on.

This solution is elegant. Better than the wood floor I had in there trapping and harboring all manner of crap.

The ants are all dead now. I cleaned the entire van with vinegar, baking soda, and peppermint. Then put down some Raid ant traps.