preventing wasp nests underneath

[Skooter]

It'll be our first spring/summer with the Bambi. Yesterday while checking spare tire underneath I noticed tiny gaps in the enclosed underbelly. My fear is wasps can get in and build enormous nests without getting noticed. And once there, how the heck would ya get 'em out?

Need to do a more thorough check, perhaps they can all be sealed with duct tape. Interested in hearing whatever solutions and/or preventive measures that have worked for you guys.

[dznf0g]

I went under the AS a couple years ago and sealed small openings with Sikaflex sealer. I also used stainless steel pot scrubbers to plug the frame ends. I think duct tape will only last awhile and is a mess to try and re-tape after it has degraded.

[Lily&Me]

We had years ago wasps in the propane intake for the generator.

After that mess was roto-rootered out, doug put mesh screening on there, which has worked great.


Maggie

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by doug&maggie

We had years ago wasps in the propane intake for the generator.

After that mess was roto-rootered out, doug put mesh screening on there, which has worked great.


Maggie

Screen mesh to keep out wasps needs to be #4 mesh at the largest (4 wires to the inch), with #5 or #6 (5 or 6 wires to the inch) being better.

For a furnace or other LP exhaust, a dome-shaped screen is required. You need to keep the same or larger equivalent opening size to the original exhaust. A flat screen obstructs part of the exhaust area because of the wires filling some of the exhaust surface area. A dome shape has a larger surface area, to make up for part of that surface being wire.

But for openings where you don't have combustion happening, a flat mesh— or as dznf0g suggested, steel wool— should do the trick nicely.

[J. Morgan]

Metal foil tape (actual adhesive backed foil) is very durable. I have used this for temporary patches on semi trailers that lasted for several years, and were still working great when removed for trailer repair and paint.

Available at Lowes and Home Depot for about $12 for a 55 yard roll.

[dznf0g]

regular steel wool rusts and doesn't like aluminum (you Interstate folks may not have as big an issue). Stainless wool (or scrubbers) are best IMO.

[Rich W]

How about putting eucalyptus leaves in these areas. Would that discourage them? You'd have to remember to take them out of the furnace area in the fall and replace everything in the spring again.

[switz]

Brass wool works as well and I think I got it on Amazon.