Could these be sesame seeds be aphids? ants (though not carpenter ants) will "herd" and "milk" aphids for their honeydew. the larvae and pupae of ants will be white and legless, aphids will have small legs and are sesame seed shaped. usally ants will do this on trees that aphids prefer could your kayak be under such a tree?

: I usually story my Cirrus outside on saw horses with the cockpit &
: hatches uncovered. Last week as I was preparing to load it for a paddle I
: noticed several thousand "sesame seeds" gathered along the
: center deck seam. As I looked closer I noticed a few hundred carpenter
: ants tending to these "sesame seeds". Egads...!

: I assume the "sesame seeds" must be some larval form of the ants
: and they had found that perfect nesting spot in my Cirrus.

: After blasting them out with the hose and killing every last one (with a
: degree of vengence I might add!) I had a relatively fun paddle. Except for
: every drop of water on my leg feeling like an ant I missed. Charles W. got
: a big kick out of me pulling up my spray skirt to go after any phantom ant
: I felt!

: So, What about pesticide use on the Cirrus? Anybody have experience here? I'm
: obviously concerned about pesticides breaking down the epoxy (MAS) and
: varnish (Z-Spar Captain's).

: I just now went out and pulled the cover off the cockpit and found 20 or so
: ants. I've got to do something quick.

: Best, David Hill