Mud Dauber protection idea

[Vycan]

Got to thinking about an idea to minimize effects of mud daubers, and make it cosmetic to boot. Has anyone tried using aluminum screen on the heater covers?

I am thinking about cutting out aluminum screen sections and placing it on the back side of the door and JB Welding it in place due to heat. I have looked over the forum and have not seen anyone try this. Is there a reason?

[jpons]

Camco sells custom made screen covers for these areas for this exact purpose.

They hold in place with a couple of spring loaded hooks.

-J

[Aage]

And when you read the manual that comes with the new water heater, it says not to use them when the heater is on. I'm guessing the screens add some air restriction.

[HowieE]

Any screening with tight enough mess will have a negative effect on air flow. Normal window screen is generally considered to reduces air flow by 50%.

Just because something is sold does not mean it is a good idea.

[Melody Ranch]

I use aluminum gutter screening.

[pappy19]

Buy a large dog flea/tick collar and cut it into smaller pieces and place them or hang them in all of the open or vented areas. No more wasps, cock roaches, ants, etc. I also hang one in my propane tank, no more spiders either.

[Vycan]

pappy19, do you mean just keep one in the bottom of the access panel or suspend them in the opening?

I had not thought of the air restriction. I will have to research a bit more. Eventually I plan to have all vents screened somehow.

HowieE, Regarding restriction you are half right. It depends on several variables for the screen. Found a neat experiment here: http://www.investigacion.frc.utn.edu...orificio_2.pdf
Jist: Less wires/inch and more free hole space is better.

[DKB_SATX]

I can tell you from personal experience that screen material with a too-fine mesh will make your furnace unhappy.

When I got my Argosy, with its original NT-22 furnace, it was a cranky thing. The pilot often didn't stay lit, and if the furnace ran very long to get to the set point on the thermostat it would overheat and go into a cooldown cycle.

I found that a PO had installed a fine-mesh screen behind the intake/exhaust outer cover. The screen was a dark color so it wasn't immediately apparent when glancing at the ports. Removing that screen has drastically improved the behavior of my furnace, it hasn't overheated or had the pilot flame out all season, and has kept the interior comfy with outside temps as low as 25F.

[pappy19]

Originally Posted by Vycan

pappy19, do you mean just keep one in the bottom of the access panel or suspend them in the opening?

I just cut about 4 " off the flea collar and drop it on the bottom of the fridge vent, same on the water heater. Obviously I don't put any in the heater exhaust. I also drop some pieces in my storage areas and under the sink. Anywhere where they could be a critter, I either drop some pieces or hang a piece. You can punch a hole in the collar material and use a paper clip to hang it. I change them out every spring. Also, even though I don't have a problem with mice, if you do, just get some diaper material and spray it with fox urine and place it under the AS at wheel wells or tack it near where they are trying to enter. You can get at Cabella's or Sportsmans, Bass Proshop, etc and no mice will invade your AS.