Wasp Prevention Tactics

[denandannie]

I noticed when we brought the new 2011 3150 home that there is a rather large, empty area behind the refrigerator. I found this out after taking off the top and bottom vent covers just to see what is behind them. I discovered alot of open space. The type of open space that would make a bunch of wasps or hornets a nice home during the warm months.

I was thinking of cutting some window screen to fit the back of each vent door and hot gluing it to the back. Thus, preventing little critters from making their way in to set up house-keeping.

Anyone have any thoughts on this or a better idea?

[Ozz]

I made mine from gutter leaf protectors, aluminum, I think, then used Liquid Nails, but you are on the right track.
(On the inside of the door)
Then use the stainless mesh available at RV parts places on the rest of the openings.

[DQDick]

Mud daubers are big were we are from and the Monty came with bug screens on everything but the refrigerator vents. The tech doing the walk thru suggested that we do exactly what you propose. We cut screen material to fit and then hot glued it to each vent. We camped in 113 degrees last summer and the fridge worked fine. I asked about it at the fall rally and the Norcold folks first said it was a bad idea then they got in a huddle. One guy pointed out that we had the big fridge with the extra large vents and another explained mud daubers to the rest of the group who'd never heard of them. The end result was they thought I did the right thing.

[HOOK]

Cut top off aluminum can, drop in some moth balls, sit a can in back of fridge, one in water heater, one in furnace area. Replace balls about once a year.

[oldelmer1]

denandannie,

I did exactly what you said, using nylon screening and hot glued it in place.

I also hot glued metal screen into the water heater vent too.

[helmick]

We had two rather large wasp nests in ours last summer. Got them out, but did not escape being stung.
Thanks for reminding me, I need to put the screen in before summer.

[stiles watson]

I have screens on the furnace, water heater, and the refrigerator outer doors. All can be purchased at a RV store and are prefabbed to size. Saved a lot of time trying to fabricate them. I have found dirt dauber cells in the front bay. Too many holes to keep them out, so I just clean up the the ones I find.

[lasater]

Me too. I bought screens at Tiara when I picked up my Monty. Refer vents, furnace vent, and water heater are all covered. No problems in almost 4 years of use.

[Ozz]

I would suggest going with the stainless ones, the airflow is greater than the small screen wire, there is a possibility of the small screen wire to become dusty and dirty, also is fragile, not saying it is a bad idea, just think the stainless is a wiser choice. Just my 2 cents.

[swanny]

I bought two stainless steel screens for the furness and HWH. For the refrigerator covers I used the nylon Sheetrock tape, you know the tape for the joints.
It has little bigger holes than the window screens and it's nylon and very easy to work with. I also silicone the edges of the stainless screens on the outside.

Kevin

[NCFischers]

I did the acreens and hot glue also

[DQDick]

If you use screen you just have to check the vents from time to time and blow them off it they need it. Haven't had that problem yet, but do check.

[patbarton]

We call them dirt daubers here. Even though I've never had them (I've only had real stinging wasps in the water heater hole), I think I'll get some screen...

[southern thunder]

I keep spare keys in a magnetic holder hidden on the Montana. Where this holder is placed can't be seen. I have a fear of reaching in there and finding a wasp nest. That would hurt. I might can get a moth ball or two in there.

[GregN]

Also watch under the AC's cowling on the roof. With my last trailer when it was at the storage, the wasps had gotten in there. I did not have the cover on while it was there, as it was time of the year we were out almost every weekend.

[TerryClaudia]

When we bought ours, a nice guy suggested to put a few bay leaves in all the outside areas they can get in to. We'll have to see if that works.