OH NO!!!! Slim's Cabin Fixer Upper Pt 8

Although slowly making progress on restoring an old dilapidated cabin I purchased in New Brunswick last year, my work came to a halt when I encountered what could be my worst nightmare!
I did not include a cost update in the video, so here it is:
Material and Equipment Costs this Video (in Canadian Dollars):
Chainsaw $172.49
Fasteners $53.70
Paint: $30.23
Lumber: $55.38
Doors (used) $10
Ant Spray: $11.49
Total this video: $333.29 Cdn ($257 USD)
Total Renovation to Date: $11554 Cdn ($8900 USD)
For other videos in the renovation series, visit:
• Cabin Life
Visit My KZbin Channel for all my videos!
/ @slimpotatohead
Website: www.slimpotatohead.com
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[@paulmatulavich7321]

Spider Spider so I saw, pointed to a problem wall. Hidden there and out of sight, were capenters of a different type. Laying eggs and eating wood, those pesky bugs were up to no good. So spray in hand, Slim took a stance, wiped out the uncles along with the ants. The cabin's safe, now free of pests. The Sliminator earned a beer and some rest.

[@SlimPotatohead]

Nice! Thanks Paul! SP

[@virginiatolles1664]

You tell those old bugs, Paul!

[@BlueSky-ff4oy]

Hey Paul... how about an alternate ending; The Sliminator earned a beer And prays for no more unwanted guests.

[@Starrmiller]

Loved it! So cool 😎

[@mykirbs2002]

Love this Paul.

[@g.w.moorman3887]

Often the presence of carpenter ants indicates wet wood. In other words, there may have been a place where water was or is getting in. Maybe the new roof has cured that.

[@wwz1011]

+10 Carpenter ants like moisture. Roof should have solved the moisture problem, so its time to kill all the ants.

[@doris1826]

What about hiring a company that has the FLIR lights that can detect colonies without ripping out more walls. Could be the cheapest insurance you ever bought, no?

[@sockymcblackface7698]

@@doris1826 not where he is.

[@susanpremo8068]

we had them in our house in St. Paul Minnesota, we had to end up buying a spray, I don't remember the name of it, like raid, it worked, so might Tero. you put a bit on a piece of cardboard they go to it and eat it, and they die . hate to do it, but what are you gonna do?

[@zefallafez]

Kill the ants Remove any rotted wood Then lower the moisture level of the remaining structure by heating the interior Which could be done with the wood stove.

[@bigjacket7934]

Smart use of "Boris" to move your story along. It's not easy to keep a coherent narrative. Good cut ins and cutaways... you're a true storyteller.

[@SarahGraymatter]

True indeed

[@richardthomas1743]

Slim , I really like your log bench! yes the ants are a set back but I think that you will be fine. You will get through this and come out better! Just imagine had you done the repairs and then found out a few years down the road that there was a major problem. Step back and take a deep breath and a break, you got this, it's going to be okay!

[@noddybrown3074]

❤️

[@GaryNichols50]

When putting on an addition to my home on a lake, I also found millions of carpenter ants when removing wall panels. Some wall studs were already eaten half way through and all had heavy tunneling. Hopefully, you will have the same result I did. After about 20 cans of insecticide, they were wiped out never to return. Good luck, Slim.

[@scottobridge6141]

As stated before me, I have found carpenter ants wont bore into wood that isn't wet. The only other reason they nest inside is when they find poly foam insulation... Maybe, like the presence of Boris, try and see it as the ants helping you head off future dry rot from leaks you didn't know exist.... You've got this.

[@karolmolitor4675]

Hello Slim. Please don't get discouraged. You will find a solution. Boris is a really great helper. I hope he doesnt get stepped or killed by Insecticide. The cabin is in such a beautiful place. Love the new bench. I'm glad you took out that other wall.Have e a great camping trip, you deserve a break. ❤

[@whammond511]

❤

[@sweetcreekcommunityco-op]

Love ❤️ You Slim ~ I had a flash flood at my Ranch over the weekend, in addition to the destruction it wrought ~ it woke up the biting flies and mosquitoes... suffice it to say: I feel for you Brother and wish you the absolute BEST possible outcome ~ whatever you choose 💗🤠🙏 I realize this was a heavy blow and challenge to endure and reflect upon the possibility of having to take the lessons, tools, and resources that are still salvageable and perhaps sell off and start anew... Some of the things I learned by watching your channel and adventures: You are incredibly clever, witty, intelligent, passionate, courageous, and adventurous (within reason)... all these truths being self-evident ~ I submit that you will find or create solutions to your current challenges ~ as I've watched you do hundreds of times already Sincerely and Compassionately, Tyrel Wiltse

[@colbywilliams782]

That Boris the spider made this 24 year old really happy!

[@NorthernKitty]

Always look at the positive side of things. At least you found them before you put more money into the cabin. Now that you've found them, they can be dealt with. Unexpected and more expenses, but you can stem future losses. Looking at what you're dealing with, I think you can solve it. As others have pointed out, moisture is what brought them in. Moisture likely remains in the insulation behind the plastic. Tear everything out, treat the place, leave it all open to dry in the open air and sunshine. I think you're going to be fine!! 😊😊😊 It's really hard emotionally when you first encounter this - you just want to "run away" and leave it behind. You feel like you can "never trust" the integrity of the structure again. But give yourself some time to "let go" of all those emotions, so you can see eliminating the ants as just one more step in the process toward your ultimate goal. It will be long forgotten sometime in the future and you have a wonderful place to live!!

[@BY504A]

Your idea of taking a break and regrouping is a great one. My dad was a contractor and he brought many structures back that most people would tear down. Many of them needed structural beams added just like yours, and had the same ant or rodent problems. Thankfully you are providing the labor so that saves you a whole bunch of money on the repairs. You already fixed the roof issue and most likely the water ingress problem. You will probably have to strip all of the outer wall coverings to check for and get rid of the pesty invaders. Also check to see if there are any local saw mills around that might provide lumber for a more reasonable cost then a lumber yard or big box store. I wish you luck in your endeavors and once finished, the cabin will be awesome. You have a million dollar view, and the peace and serenity of the place is priceless. Take care.

[@jmpattillo]

The intro to this video is delightful

[@whatboards6791]

Don’t get discouraged about the ants. You’ll be able to take care of them and hopefully the wood will be fine. Boris is a really good helper too! Boris might need his own Instagram lol

[@metaxaanabeer]

Hey, Slim, from my personal experience: remove all wood including firewood piles from under and round the house/cabin. Then either find a DIY or hire a perimeter spray. New Brunswick regs might allow you to do it, here in BC we have to hire it out. Application is in late spring and again mid summer and is $150 each time. Not forever but for a couple of years. Til certain of the outcome which is no ants in the house. This is during and after you do all the pulling apart of interior walls, etc. The joys of older wood construction in and around moist environments, eh?

[@claramullen]

Don't get discouraged Slim I am sure you will find a way to settle your predicament with the cabin. Good luck and enjoy a relaxing camping trip.

[@DonP_is_lostagain]

Sorry to see that Slim. I suppose the next step would be to have a pro exterminator come out and do an assessment. I'm sure that won't be inexpensive though. Although, I must say that at this point I'm reminded of the Cary Grant movie, "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House". At the start he buys a house and property, and every engineer who looks at the house says, "Tear it down". :) I'm sure that's not the case here though. Sending good vibes into the universe that this will work itself out, and all your effort won't be to waste.

[@trustbuster23]

In my experience, you probably have wet wood somewhere nearby. If it isn't in the cabin structure itself, it is in a wood pile nearby or something, and there is a fair chance the ants you saw are not living only in your cabin but also in a downed tree, dead stump or wood pile outside, etc. The bad news is that you will NEVER get rid of the colony permanently with just ant spray, you need this special carpenter ant bait. Regular ant bait doesn't work. Get yourself a jar of BASF Advance Carpenter Ant bait. It is the only thing I've found that kills the entire colony reliably. It is expensive and it takes a while to work, but if you want them gone permanently it does the job. The good news with carpenter ants is that unlike termites, they don't do catastrophic damage normally. They don't eat wood, they basically nest in it, and they prefer soft wet wood because it is easier for them to burrow into. So usually anything "ruined" by carpenter ants was already seriously shot before they moved in. So I would not rip down all your interior walls, particularly if you are confident they are dry/structurally sound. I'd kill them with that ant bait and just move on with the project. Carpenter ants aren't the end of the world, when you live in the woods and there is rotting wood nearby, it is just something you have to deal with from time to time. Just make sure you have found and repaired all the leaks and any old water damage. And do a perimeter check for wet, rotting wood. Even if you think the core of the colony was in the cabin, it may very well not be. I ultimately found a huge colony about 30 feet from my cabin, which was almost certainly connected to the infestation I had to deal with. And I was sure before I found it that the main colony had to be inside my house somewhere, but it wasn't.

[@happytoo10]

Love the seat, go camping,reset, open all walls up assess, exterminate ants and lay outside bait stations, repair/ rebuild, you’ve got this, your cabin is a little slice of paradise and it’s your slice.

[@Yorky222]

Good luck Slim, I hope you can deal with the ants.

[@susanstrickland6774]

Always keep plumbing close to the same areas. Makes life easier. Ugh, the carpenter ants 😖. Really didn't look like so much damage that it can't be fixed. Would order termite killer, and treat all areas before you go camping,let it rest while you take a deserved break. Can't you reuse the wall boards, even if for extra insulation, cover up with shiplap, or paneling? You'll figure it out, you're that way. Keeping my fingers crossed for you. 🙂👍

[@herblapp6134]

Removing the bails with the nail puller created a crater at each nail site. No can't use it agn....but wait the other side might be ok. No craters...maybe the existing nail hole sites might line up with studs...probably not. But you can use some kind of filler on those that don't lye over a stud...worth thinking about.

[@gooberpeas7926]

Boris is a good friend and preciously handsome. Thank you for recognizing his important role in your construction project.

[@rockymountainmike3133]

Love your channel Slim!

[@barbaraslack6397]

Hope you can salvage the project. If anyone can it’s you!

[@azclaimjumper]

Be sure to take care good care of Boris, he's been a true & valued supporter/inspector. I suspect it's time to tent the house, call in the pros, & let them do their thing from the ground up. Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada.

[@TheTravelLifeMama]

I would have done the exact same thing Slim with the layout. Can't wait to see the finished product. I love the log bench by the water.

[@gerardhaubert8210]

Don’t give up, you’re an inspiration to a lot of people like me. If you re-do it all yourself, you’ll never have to worry about anything

[@jaygrenham]

Slim...I owned a pest control company and was in pest control for 20+ years. I think you'll be fine. I'd be more surprised if the cabin didn't have any ants after being neglected for so many years. Carpenter ants only nest in damp/moist wood. I'd focus on why they nested where they did and cure the moisture problem. Moisture problem might have already been rectified with that new roof. Main nest is outside in a tree somewhere ...then they have " satellite " colonies like you found. Multiple colonies to insure the survival of the main colony. I never wasted time trying to find the main colony and instead focused on the satellite colony/colonies that invaded a home. If it were me I'd wait till dark and get your flashlight ...go outside and search then follow the ants. You'll look a bit loony but its the best way to see where they are travelling. My go to control method was using a powder/dust called Drione. Its made from the Chrysanthemum Plant and is IMO the safest effective method and has an excellent residual. Amazon sells it. The Home Depot Raid stuff has little residual even though they all claim " effective for up to 30 days " No...they have little to no residual. A few days at best. Drione will last for months.

[@terrynewell8968]

Don't give up. I lived in a 3 story apartment building, the back wall and entire roof was infested. They were able to save it. Good luck 😎

[@ztechrepairs]

Hope to see more of Boris the Spider. Great video as usual Slim!

[@butchclifford8733]

Boris has proved to be a great help for your cabin improvements, good job Boris!

[@noddybrown3074]

Your Boris is doing better than our Boris.

[@gailcurl8663]

Boris may turn out to be a Miss Boris. Looking for a place to build her nest. I Hope Not! You certainly don't need Hundreds and Hundreds of Spiderlings hatching in your Cabin. Put Boris outsde and far away from the cabin. Good for You and Good for Boris??

[@mikeveine]

I deal with carpenter ants all the time at my cabin in the U.P. An annual perimeter spraying of Termador and regular spraying of Permithrin indoors and out will rid ants and other bugs.

[@katherinewillie9776]

Good boy Boris!!!!👍🏻I love your nail magnet!!! You'll get rid of the ants!!! You'll see.

[@bflo716]

After seeing that ant invasion I’d 100% gut the entire cabin. That was sure a bad invasion! But don’t let this setback get you down. It’s a good thing that you caught it and now you can repair the place the right way. In the long run it will help! Imagine fixing this place up then discovering the infestation, that would far worse! Now if you gut the entire interior you can put it back together the way you like it, it will all be uniform, and it’ll be nicer. Can’t wait to see more of this place. It’s amazing.

[@marzymarrz5172]

Your calm reaction to the ant problem is instructive. Taking a break seems to be just the thing to do.

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

I’m gutted for you, I’m sure there’ll be a good solution to what must be a common problem. For me the place seems worth it. Very much worth it! Hopefully this will just be a bump in the road and it is good you found it now.

[@SarahGraymatter]

Yay Boris, Who would’ve thought such an ugly harbinger would bring such fortunate information. Slim you know that it is how we choose to view the fact, not the fact itself. Have a chill camping trip. See you refreshed

[@davemenard5089]

Reading the comments it’s clear you have an amazing following and your followers are amazing people. This is to your great credit Slim.

[@JJ-JOHNSON]

I'm a Master Carpenter with 40 years of experience, you did an awesome job on installing that beam, on your bench you made out of the log, the seat needs to be pinned with a 1" dial pin to keep it from rocking, your Carpenter skills isn't bad at all, I hope the ant thing isn't that bad, I've really have enjoyed your reconstruction of the cabin, I live on the Tennessee River and would love a little cabin for myself.

[@SlimPotatohead]

Thanks JJ! SP

[@redsorgum]

Saturday with Slim, nice 👍👏👏👏👏👏 That sucks about the ants.😕

[@jaymart3670]

I always enjoy your videos. I hope to see you out in the lower 48 one day. I drive tractor trailer over the road so I'm all over the place Lmao.

[@GeorgeWells00]

I’ve been watching your videos for some time now, and I think this was one of the most interesting ones yet. Your interest in preserving nature is commendable, and I really appreciate your interest in conserving, rather than wasting. It is very unfortunate about the ants, but I hope you are able to find a solution to this without giving up on the cabin project completely, perhaps it would be advantageous to look at a commercial solution and have someone take care of any infestation. I applaud your ingenuity and your creativity! Thank you for sharing your adventures with us! 🇨🇦

[@whammond511]

My experience with Commercial Exterminators is that they do plenty of damage themselves! I’d say; do your research, make some knowledge based decisions and do your own exterminating.

[@dixxebell]

A few more saplings need to move over, that view would be miraculous. Great project Slim. I like your decision on the rooms Call Terminix they will fix the problems from the ground level.

[@nothere7198]

Oh yeah, now that you explained where the septic has to be, moving the kitchen and putting the bathroom that side makes total sense. Carry on Slim !

[@TGuidry25]

Those ants don’t stand a chance. We got your back Slim

[@carolemckibbon4586]

Hey slim, don't get discouraged. It's a small place. It looks like it's a piece of paradise. In the south, we have carpenter ants and carpenter bees. There are all sorts of remedies available. Hopefully that's the only side of your cabin that's involved and you do have a new roof on your cabin so dampness should not be an issue in the future. You have been working hard so a camping trip is definitely the way to go. Keep us in the loop. Looking forward to a camping video.

[@MapleMarmite]

That beam is going to be a nice feature piece once the rest is done. Sucks about the ants but it looks like it’s just going to be more work rather than a deal breaker on the whole place. Any possibility of just opening up the top 12” of each wall to check? Save tearing out a whole wall if you don’t need to. Only take it all out if you find more ants, otherwise replace and carry on as before. A camping break and return later sounds like a good plan. I’m doing a bathroom rebuild and feel the same way! 👍🏻

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Never give up, never surrender. Damn the ants…full speed ahead. After a week (or two) off of course. Maybe you ill find what I did inside the walls…an old jar full of silver dollars from long ago. You never know…thanks for the video.

[@dmdavis4551]

Suggest, Get the whole house treated. The ants are from moisture being there but that has been fixed. Enjoy your getaway camping and it will be easier to tackle when you are rested and return. Do not give up Slim. You have come a long way. I live in a 150 year old cabin that was a mess when I moved in. Any structual damage can be fixed. You will feel so good when it is done! Take Care.

[@stellarproductions8888]

I am so glad Boris's loyalty is already paying off after first contact. He knows whats up, and he's not about to let any shinanagans go unchallenged. Really bad news about the ants! But I feel that with time, you have it all solved. I am glad you are fixing the structural issues, your pretty good at doing that. I agree, take a break, come back refreshed, and go all Rambo on that place.

[@moonpie1616]

YOU HAVE DONE CROSSED THE RUBICON... there is no turning back.... you have a lot more good Lumber than bad Lumber in that cabin.... and I'm sure all the viewers want to see how it turns out.... it might take a little longer... but you will be so pleased with yourself when it's finished.....🐜🐜kill kill kill 😁😁😁

[@toronado455]

The good news is that he found the problem at this stage. I do hope that the damage is minimal and he can continue his progress.

[@chriswhite2151]

Don't give up, Slim! It's a cabin in the woods, of course there will be some critters. There are ways to get rid of them.

[@janicem4382]

I hope the outcome allows you to stay in your beautiful cabin.

[@joelrdizon]

If you could locate all the ant colonies, properly eliminate them and find that the wood is not that rotten, why don't you consider treating the wood with Solignum (that's the brand name here in the Philippines, it could be something else there). It will preserve the wood AND prevent any reinfestation. As a bonus, it actually looks like woodstain and brings out the beauty of wood grain. It protects not just against insects but against WATER. Best applied with a brush although for difficult to reach corners a garden sprayer woks fine, too. Good luck, Slim!

[@zaradimple3980]

Slim a woman who is not particularly handy, just loves to sit around and view what you are doing, just love to watch you work on the cabin. Beautiful. I think you are really clever. Just love the cabin, off the ground it really looks beautiful. Just kick him out, no apology, pesky spider!!!

[@jaydegelder2964]

I still say it's a diamond in the ruff. Don't give up, conquer.!!

[@StacyForest738]

We had a major carpenter ant issue in our walls, due to a wet basement. Once we fixed and dried out the basement, no more carpenter ants. I do know it is frustrating though but that cabin is so worth it, just for location alone. Thank you for the video, love this series.

[@TrinitysChoice]

Keep up the good fight. Take your time. Don't let the ants win!

[@IC86]

Boris the Spider is extremely cool. As to the ants, if you have to fumigate the whole place, make it so and drive on with the cabin mission!

[@dnngskn62]

Hope the problem is solvable without too much money involved. Take a break and a deep breath and forge ahead. Love the vids by the way.

[@karlbaschal3245]

My husband and I are so sorry for the infestation problem. We live in California and the big issue here is termites. We did see a mobile home outside of our town that was wrapped in heavy plastic because it was being fumigated. Maybe calling a professional pest control company may help with that. Because there are ant traps and other things they can do that is safe for the environment and pets (we have a cat) that could solve your problem. And if they do have to fumigate your place, going camping might end the problem by the time you come back. At least they can tell you if it is possible or give you some really good advice. Keep us all posted. We wish you the best.

[@charljrhode2]

Slim you have some impressive patience .

[@SandraOrtmann1976]

We found an ant investion in one of our buildings (we basically live in a former farm). My husband had to do something about it, he had to use some really nasty poison to get rid of them. Otherwise, they would have eaten our workshop - not a good thing. But now they are gone. I really hope this is not the end of a dream. Just take a deep breath, and then take a decision in a calm mood. Wish you all the very best.

[@andrewchapman4313]

Getting my Saturday afternoon rolling with a new Slim vid, AWESOME!

[@kevinshepler2314]

As a retired remodeling contractor/carpenter, I feel your pain Sometimes you have to do a lot more than planned to make it right Don’t give up

[@CampingTherapy]

I've got a bunch of tiny ants on my front windowsill. They're feasting on Terra today. Very entertaining watching them.

[@r8edrv4fun65]

It looks real nice. Don't give up now.

[@croberts709]

I hope the infestation wasn't as bad as you feared. Unfortunately, with overhanging branches it will probably be an ongoing issue. My parents had to cut down all the trees in their front yard because of carpenter ants. They also used a 'bug bomb' of some type to get rid of them from all the nooks and cranies. It all worked out though, but it was a major hassle. Good luck.

[@lovenature1354]

We love watching your videos. We are sorry you have those darn carpenter ants to contend with. We are hoping you will find a solution!

[@MinorCirrus]

There isn't an iota of doubt in my mind that you will keep going with this cabin. You've already done so much to turn it into a place that is a lot like you, I am certain you will put in the effort needed to make it your piece of paradise. It's natural to feel discouraged right after discovering the ants, because that meant a lot of unforeseen work, but now that you've adjusted, even turning all the walls inside out is within your reach because you are one of the most persevering people I've ever known.

[@Dstew57A]

Yikes…its not all in vain Slim..think of the beautiful view and serenity you have enjoyed at your beautiful place so far. I am absolutely sure you will come up with something to take care of the problem.

[@marianfrances4959]

Hello from Alberta, where you've missed an early-morning thunder storm! LOL. Good luck with the cabin. I'm sure it'll be great.👍🇨🇦😎

[@lynnsheffield8506]

I 've had a recent invasion of carpenter ants also in my 1/2 bath that accesses the pool. It's almost the rainy season here in Florida so I guess they're preparing for a drier abode. I looked online and what I read said they weren't as dangerous as termites. They are coming in at the door frame which I spray daily. I'll keep spraying til I don't find any dead ones. I haven't been able to get much done on my '75 Trillium. I wanted to put an ac in the roof but have been advised that something that old wouldn't support it. So I bought a window unit but I haven't decided which window I want to sacrifice. So with 100+ degrees F I'm looking forward to some rainy days to work in it. I hadn't seen any of your previous cabin videos. I'll have to look for them. What you've done so far look great.

[@ralphvanthoff]

Thanks for keeping it real, hope you stay on top of those ants!

[@georgeherman8826]

Your property and deck view is priceless. Please don't give up. You've got a good foundation. Why keep walls anyway. Just have some support beams and have everything open . Privacy is not much of an issue if you're living by yourself. That woodstove will put out enough BTU'S to keep the whole place toasty.

[@billping2633]

Stay positive Slim. You may want to call a pro in to treat the house and the ground around it. I know you like to do things least impact to the environment but sometimes you got to do what you got to do.

[@Christina...66]

Thank you Boris! Yes i don't like killing any creature either...but when I'm met with dozens of ants parading across my kitchen counter...there's only 1 thing i can do. 😔 i also discovered one morning, when several hundred, or maybe even a thousand, 😱 were parading from the radiator pipe to the catfood bowl...that Orange Cleaner kills them instantaneously. The orange cleaner they sell as a concentrate that we dilute for cleaning...non- toxic to us or pets of course.

[@thinkinoutloud.1]

You always know what to do to make the important improvements, Slim. Good job!

[@bonniepettersen4063]

Bummer, you are doing a really amazing job! A few days in nature will reset your head. Camp-on!,

[@lindabarker7142]

I'm glad you found the ants and dealt with them.

[@ncc74656m]

Hey Slim, if you haven't already done so, do yourself a favor and get some boric acid treatment to coat the insides of the walls with. That'll help keep away insects and other nasties that may come with the wet wood.

[@pagewhite8177]

Oh gosh Slim, the ants are disheartening. Boris the Spider, great song, I got a kick out of that! I’m glad you’re taking a camping break. Thanks for the update.

[@CristiIstrate]

Sad to hear about your troubles. I'm sure you will fix the issue, you have a positive attitude and this means 50% of the problem solved.

[@catpurrson3651]

Oh crap! What a bummer! Still, you've chosen ths best course for many reasons. Mr. Pileated is gorgeous. What company!

[@staroceans8677]

Your efforts, talents and skills are remarkable! It's amazing how much you've done and what energy you have put into the place. If it works out, it will be quite a nice place to reside. However, it's frustrating to consistently run across insurmountable odds that are discouraging for progression. Somehow I feel you'll be able to overcome issues with one solution or another, and in the long run it will be worth your efforts. Even though the cabin is old, it's tragic how unprofessional the builders were with so many mistakes, especially with support and nails. I enjoy your new pet and if it doesn't accidentally get under boot or consume the poisoned ants, I think it has a good chance of being a nice companion. 🍻 here's wishing you success🤞

[@larrymiller8210]

Don't give up. My dad would always tell me, if there is a will, there is way! Words to live by! Hang in there it will work out.😊

[@ladybug128]

I truly hope you’ve eliminated your ant problem because your cabin and it’s location are so nice. I’d hate to see all your hard work be for nothing so to that end here’s to happy and positive thoughts. My fingers and toes are crossed in your favor. Refresh, rejuvenate and enjoy your camping trip.

[@roymarchant6361]

You can do this! What a great property. Work with nature not against! I’ll be watching and support you., in spirit. Keep up the good work!

[@spitfirered]

I think You Getting Away Is A Great Idea, You'll Come Back With A New Perspective, A Great Job You Have Done And I Feel Your Frustration, I hope For The Best Behind The Other Walls, By The Way I Love Your T-Shirt Another Beer Older, do you sell them, thanks much, Wendy

[@steveky7829]

Ants and termites need access to water. Once the roof is intact and no moisture coming in, then you need to go underneath and treat around all the ground contact points. Your cabin is in way to good of shape to give up on for a few ants. Now is the time to uncover all the walls and use insecticide. You might even get a quote from an exterminator to come out and treat the ground, they can also give you a heads up on the best legal to use products in your area.

[@johnwyper9470]

I completely agree. The cabin can be saved!. If the framing integrity is still intact, which appears to be the case, it can be saved by making sure the moisture intrusions are stopped then entire cabin tented for insecticide treatment. That way both the ants and any termites present would be killed.

[@corinnelaidla69]

When I found carpenter ants in my home, I immediately called an exterminator. He noted there were two ant hill colonies in the backyard and even found the trail as to where they were entering the house. He treated them as well and they never came back. I agree that it’s not good to use chemicals, but as you said, it‘s an invasion and you need to save your home. Best of luck!

[@KRT045]

Hi Slim, take the time to gather yourself and your thoughts. Living here in the desert southwest termites are everywhere. I have seen significant termite colonies and damage from such. But never once did I see where a home was a total loss. You will be able to get this under control. Seek the help of a professional to make sure it’s done right and one day you will think back to this moment and realize it was a totally solvable situation and maybe not as bad as you initially thought. Good luck you got this.

[@kenshores9900]

Slim: Never forget this. It is your cabin. It is fun and interesting to see how you are going attack a problem. Keep it up. Good luck with the ants. You may want to check the foundation and find out where the ants are coming in.

[@vinnytube1001]

Currently dealing with a carpenter ant problem myself, Slim, and really discovering any infestation is so demoralizing. There's something about it that is really depressing. Hard to put a finger on it. Obviously the decision is yours, and given the video delay you've probably already made your decision. Hope you're in good spirits no matter which way you went. If it were me, I'd probably soldier on through. It might be a few K to fix but that pales in comparison to having an oceanside cabin (IMO). I'm no exterminator but I do believe you stopped the cause of damage when you repaired the roof. If you clear out the colonies and bait along the ground, I think you'll be on solid footing. Carpenter ants are so much easier to get rid of than termites.

[@Sparose3]

I sure hope those ants aren’t anywhere else Slim! You can get rid of them though if there hasn’t been much damage. I just love the way your cabin is coming along, and would hate for you to have to stop the renovation. Good luck and God bless to you!

[@manyahope52]

Bummer! I hope there's a solution other than a big fire... Looking forward to the continuing saga. Have a nice camping trip. You deserve it!

[@christinae30]

I keep my fingers crossed that the ant problem in the rest of the house will be manageble!

[@kimberlyangelo4240]

Oh Slim. I am so sorry. My heart just sank. I do know you will get through this. Sending all good vibes your way.

[@alanjones9149]

Hi Slim! I just wanna say I'm only into the video 2 minutes and 44 seconds and I already love it!! It was well worth the wait... Oh...and the T-shirt 'What happens at the cabin'... PERFECT!!! lol. Now... on with the video...

[@IowaVanMan]

John Entwistle would be proud!! Rock on Slim!!

[@oldguyonacouch7216]

This one reminded me of when I was a kid back in the early sixties. Mom and Dad bought a old camp and on one wall had carpenter ants at the top beam. As I kid I had never seen ants so big. Fortunately they only invested the one wall and once removed(killed) never had the problem again. Good luck with your unwanted guests.

[@driiifter]

We had carpenter ants in our apartment up in Washington. Lived right next to a green belt and by right next I mean like almost in it. I fell through one of our wooden steps one time. The entire deck was a death trap, I still have dreams about it sometimes.