Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Caravans and Caravanning
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: flies getting in Post Reply Post New Topic
09/2/2017 at 3:37pm
 Location: Greater Manchester
 Outfit: elddis crusader scirocco and 1 tent
View dogscenturion's Profile View Profile   Reply to dogscenturion Reply   Quote dogscenturion Quote  
Joined: 05/7/2004

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   629
Tent Reviews:   2

Site Reviews Total: 6
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 31
Site Nights 2018: 0

The two Heiki roof lights I have dont seem to be flush with the roof of the van, its for air flow i was told when i bought it, but flies walk on the roof and are getting underneath and into the caravan. There are sometimes between 5 and 10 stuck under each roof light. I was told to put citronella oil on the roof to keep them away, but a few are horseflies and they are little buggers to get rid off. Any help with this would be appreciated

-------------
dogscenturion


11/2/2017 at 4:56pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Mick S.'s Profile View Profile   Reply to Mick S. Reply   Quote Mick S. Quote  
Joined: 18/8/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3499

Site Reviews Total: 37
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 1  
Site Reviews 2021: 4  
Site Reviews 2020: 4  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 3
Site Nights 2022: 6
Site Nights 2021: 16
Site Nights 2020: 17
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I would have thought if flies can 'walk under/in', general debris and rain could blow under/in just as easy. Doesn't sound right to me.


Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!
UKCampsite.co.uk users are rewarded with up to 12.5% off Caravan Guard touring caravan insurance, folding camper and trailer tent insurance, and 5% off motorhome and campervan insurance. Static caravan insurance is also available. Get an online quote now

11/2/2017 at 5:19pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit:  Karsten
View mzzy's Profile View Profile   Reply to mzzy Reply   Quote mzzy Quote  
Joined: 05/7/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3521
Tent Reviews:   5

Site Reviews Total: 10
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Definitely doesn't sound right?

-------------
~*MZZY*~


11/2/2017 at 5:21pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450
View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9587

Site Reviews Total: 23
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 3  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 11
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 24
Site Nights 2018: 0

There should be several fixing screws around the perimeter of the skylight flange (fixed to the ceiling inside the caravan) that holds the rooflight in place. If the rooflight has unknowingly been removed previously and the screws haven't been replaced or are worn, when you push open the vent then it is likely to push the whole rooflight upwards thus creating a gap between the skylight and roof allowing unwanted flies into the caravan. Check to see if the surrounding screws are missing or if they won't tighten up as I can't see it being anything else. There should also be a waterproof sealant (on the exterior) around the frame between the skylight and roof so if you have to remove the skylight then remember to thoroughly clean the surrounding areas well before re-sealing to stop any further rain water getting in.


11/2/2017 at 5:22pm
 Location: West Yorkshire
 Outfit: Bessacarr Cameo 625 2011
View chrisn7's Profile View Profile   Reply to chrisn7 Reply   Quote chrisn7 Quote  
Joined: 10/9/2005

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   948

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

The roof light should always close so as to leave a gap for ventilation.

Therefore there is always the possibility of insects, leaves etc getting in - which is why there is an insect blind....This may be a roller type or clip-in removable type


Advertisement



11/2/2017 at 7:28pm
 Location: Essex
 Outfit: Fiat Ducato 3.0 Autotrail Mohican
View Grandad Kenny's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grandad Kenny Reply   Quote Grandad Kenny Quote  
Joined: 19/5/2015

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   789

Site Reviews Total: 33
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 11 
Site Reviews 2018: 8  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 6
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 57
Site Nights 2018: 60

Chris, not sure you are right, just had a look at mine and when the roof light is shut you could not fit a hair through the gap, the mesh is there to stop insects getting in when it is open, if a fly can get in so can water, it is not fitted correctly in my opinion.


11/2/2017 at 7:43pm
 Location: Sweet Home Inversneckie
 Outfit: Swift Elegance 565 Volvo V70 2.4
View Rhj296's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rhj296 Reply   Quote Rhj296 Quote  
Joined: 22/12/2014

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   607
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 2

Imagine the vent drawing water whilst driving in the motorway in the rain.


12/2/2017 at 1:27pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Bill Terry's Profile View Profile   Reply to Bill Terry Reply   Quote Bill Terry Quote  
Joined: 19/5/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2197

Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

The roof light when shut does not sit flush with the roof on the van, But the heki roof light does sit flush inside the molding surround inside the van,to seal it.The heki roof light is designed to ventilate & cause air to enter and circulate freely

   

-------------
Roughing it in style at Calloose caravan and camping holiday park nr St Ives.(seasonal pitch)
Its not a hangover, its wine flu!


nant mill.N/Wales
just dont go there.


12/2/2017 at 2:28pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Mick S.'s Profile View Profile   Reply to Mick S. Reply   Quote Mick S. Quote  
Joined: 18/8/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3499

Site Reviews Total: 37
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 1  
Site Reviews 2021: 4  
Site Reviews 2020: 4  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 3
Site Nights 2022: 6
Site Nights 2021: 16
Site Nights 2020: 17
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Can i ask the OP, are these flies/debris? visible from inside the van? Or is it they are just under the 'glass' adjacent to the frame on the roof? If its the latter, theres not a lot you can do. But if they are actually getting into the van, something is not sealed around the frame.


12/2/2017 at 8:16pm
 Location: Greater Manchester
 Outfit: elddis crusader scirocco and 1 tent
View dogscenturion's Profile View Profile   Reply to dogscenturion Reply   Quote dogscenturion Quote  
Joined: 05/7/2004

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   629
Tent Reviews:   2

Site Reviews Total: 6
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 31
Site Nights 2018: 0

it seems as if there is a gap between the roof and the plastic cover and they are getting under there from outside and once they are in the cant get out. I do pull the fly screen over all the time and thats how they are stuck between the fly screen and the roof light... Its hard to explain without pictures but its horrible.
Yes they are visible from inside the van, if the fly screen wasnt there they would fly around the van. You hear them buzzing and trapped in the corners are flies. I have to open the roof light to let them out. It happens on both of the roof lights not just one.

Post last edited on 12/02/2017 20:25:21

Post last edited on 12/02/2017 20:29:09

Post last edited on 12/02/2017 20:30:46

-------------
dogscenturion


Advertisement



13/2/2017 at 1:39pm
 Location: West Yorkshire
 Outfit: Bessacarr Cameo 625 2011
View chrisn7's Profile View Profile   Reply to chrisn7 Reply   Quote chrisn7 Quote  
Joined: 10/9/2005

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   948

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

This is how it is meant to be. Look carefully and there will definitely be a path for air inside the van to vent out. Some older roof lights have a double skin to achieve this; others a single skin, but the leading edge will have a seal on the fixed part to prevent ingress on the move, but the rear part doesn't.

Sounds like it is your location that is the problem rather than the van - is it on a farm?


13/2/2017 at 4:23pm
 Location: Greater Manchester
 Outfit: elddis crusader scirocco and 1 tent
View dogscenturion's Profile View Profile   Reply to dogscenturion Reply   Quote dogscenturion Quote  
Joined: 05/7/2004

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   629
Tent Reviews:   2

Site Reviews Total: 6
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 31
Site Nights 2018: 0

Hi chrisn7.
That is just what david the caravan service man said. I rang him this afternoon and he said the caravan got to have air flow and the heiki lights have the air flow and its not safe to block them up especially if I am using the gas appliances. We are plagued with the horse flies so he suggested a horse fly repellent or a fine mesh to pop over the roof lights when i am leaving the van or move the caravan somewhere else, but I dont really want to do that. The mesh has to have something to hold it down obviously. {Get your thinking caps on people}


-------------
dogscenturion


14/2/2017 at 12:50am
 Location: West Yorkshire
 Outfit: Bessacarr Cameo 625 2011
View chrisn7's Profile View Profile   Reply to chrisn7 Reply   Quote chrisn7 Quote  
Joined: 10/9/2005

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   948

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Don't your roof lights have a mesh? Some have a roller type that pulls out from one side. Others have one that clips in / is hinged on one side. They are usually available at your local dealer shop if missing.


21/2/2017 at 2:52pm
 Location: Greater Manchester
 Outfit: elddis crusader scirocco and 1 tent
View dogscenturion's Profile View Profile   Reply to dogscenturion Reply   Quote dogscenturion Quote  
Joined: 05/7/2004

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   629
Tent Reviews:   2

Site Reviews Total: 6
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 31
Site Nights 2018: 0

Oh yes they do have a mesh on both roof lights, but they get stuck in between the roof light and the mesh

-------------
dogscenturion


21/2/2017 at 8:19pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450
View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9587

Site Reviews Total: 23
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 3  
Site Reviews 2021: 1  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 4  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 11
Site Nights 2021: 3
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 24
Site Nights 2018: 0

We occasionally get flies above the flyscreen but that's exactly why they call it a flyscreen. I just tip the screen down slightly then tip the dead insects into a bucket or vacuum the mesh if on electric hook up.
What size flies are you referring to, insects the size of common house flies or just the tiny fruit flies you often find in the countryside?



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














9752 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder