Mud Dobbers in furnace

[2014 Jayco 165RB]

Furnace would not start on a chilly night camping trip earlier this spring. I was getting an ignition lockout fault code, 3 blinks 3 seconds a part. Fixed it by cleaning out mud dobber nest from burner and igniter. My unit was practically brand new, no dust or cob webb's. Pulled out burner and a huge nest had been built behind all the sheet metal. Thought I would post this before some novice like myself (no HVAC skills) went out and started replacing parts before fall camping is here.

[oldmanAZ]

Welcome to the forum.

A screen for our furnace to keep those things out was an early purchase. Has been on from week 1, even though I've never seen a mud dobber near it... I guess it's working!

[RedHorse1]

Could have come with the nest already in place.

[robkelly]

Welcome! Like oldman, I also put the screens shortly after getting our unit. I haven’t seen any mud dinners near ours either.

[in the wind]

Originally Posted by robkelly

Welcome! Like oldman, I also put the screens shortly after getting our unit. I haven’t seen any mud dinners near ours either.

Where do you put the screens? On the exhaust port?
What did you use for screen material? Thanks

[wiscampsin]

Originally Posted by in the wind

Where do you put the screens? On the exhaust port?
What did you use for screen material? Thanks

Different screens for different furnaces, hot water heaters and outside fridge vents. You just have to know the make and model.

[wanderlust]

These screens work great for me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_pL...0EB0ms_dVJjgiZ

[robkelly]

Originally Posted by in the wind

Where do you put the screens? On the exhaust port?
What did you use for screen material? Thanks

IIRC I went to the CAMCO website to find the model numbers of the screens I needed and then ordered from Amazon. You'll need make and model of the equipment you're trying to protect to be sure you get the right screen.

[Dr. Cujo]

Is there any reason mud dauber screens shouldn’t be installed on every new RV rolling out of the factory? It seems silly that they are not.

I mean, I’m pretty sure I know why they aren’t, but... come on!

[RogerR]

Dr. Cujo, you know $$$$$$$ That the reason they hold use 1/2 inch screws to hold on bed hinges and staple the seats together.

I found mine on my prior RV in the refrigerator area. I also found them in my front A frame opening when I went to hitch up. Half a can of wasp spray later I resumed hitching up.

I carry wasp spray in my work box in the RV. Never know when you will have them in the power box or under the picnic table when you arrive at your site.

I used to work part time as a cable tv installer, I carried it in one hand and a stick in the other, tapped each box a couple times and then prepared to spray. Hurt a lot less that way.

[in the wind]

Originally Posted by RogerR

Dr. Cujo, you know $$$$$$$ That the reason they hold use 1/2 inch screws to hold on bed hinges and staple the seats together.

I found mine on my prior RV in the refrigerator area. I also found them in my front A frame opening when I went to hitch up. Half a can of wasp spray later I resumed hitching up.

I carry wasp spray in my work box in the RV. Never know when you will have them in the power box or under the picnic table when you arrive at your site.

I used to work part time as a cable tv installer, I carried it in one hand and a stick in the other, tapped each box a couple times and then prepared to spray. Hurt a lot less that way.

WD-40 works good too.

[us71na]

So does hair spray...

[bdreinv]

Some one mentioned pet bug collars work!

[Octopus Prime]

We put the vent screens on shortly after purchasing, but it sounds like OP's camper may have had them in there before the purchase.

How should he go about removing them?

[RedHorse1]

Had my first red wasp encounter while camping this past June. They’d moved into the box surrounding the water line. My first clue was someone shouting obscenities due to a sting. Turns out it was me.
I’ve got the can of wasp spray in the storage which proved difficult to fetch due to the little red devils buzzing around. Finally got it and hosed them down with it.
Was reminded of “the good ole days” when wasp spray would drop them the instant it hit and they were dead before hitting the ground. The stuff I get now seems to make them groggy and fly off to die.
I’ll have the can a little more handy in the future.

[RogerR]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

Had my first red wasp encounter while camping this past June. They’d moved into the box surrounding the water line. My first clue was someone shouting obscenities due to a sting. Turns out it was me.
I’ve got the can of wasp spray in the storage which proved difficult to fetch due to the little red devils buzzing around. Finally got it and hosed them down with it.
Was reminded of “the good ole days” when wasp spray would drop them the instant it hit and they were dead before hitting the ground. The stuff I get now seems to make them groggy and fly off to die.
I’ll have the can a little more handy in the future.

Wasp sprays expire in 2 to 4 years but storage in high heat and freezing conditions will shorten that life.
Some cans require shaking prior to use.
Best bet is to look for "foaming" sprays. Usually right on the front of the can. They go out as a jet and foam up like shaving cream. The wasps walk through it and fall dead in seconds.

[denn888]

I was told to put insect screens on when I first got my trailer, no problems except having to replace some cable ties for the bottom fridge vent THEN I went to install vent fans in my roof fridge vent and surprise ! WASP NEST inside the vent, Thank You RAID ! BTW we were down in Tennessee when we were told about insect screens and mud daubers

[bdreinv]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

Had my first red wasp encounter while camping this past June. They’d moved into the box surrounding the water line. My first clue was someone shouting obscenities due to a sting. Turns out it was me.
I’ve got the can of wasp spray in the storage which proved difficult to fetch due to the little red devils buzzing around. Finally got it and hosed them down with it.
Was reminded of “the good ole days” when wasp spray would drop them the instant it hit and they were dead before hitting the ground. The stuff I get now seems to make them groggy and fly off to die.
I’ll have the can a little more handy in the future.

I think the good ole days it was called DDT? Killed a lot of things lol!