Dirt Dauber screens

RedHorse1 · 10-06-2011, 03:12 PM

I've installed screens on the water heater and furnace openings. The screens that I bought for the fridge don't fit properly and I will look for some that do. If I can't find any I'll do my own thing (thanks to 'gilldawg79').
What about the fridge vent on the roof? Do you pros screen that too?

**Crabman** · 10-06-2011, 03:29 PM

I have not put on any of the screens yet, I guess I use mine enough to keep them out. I did discover a birds nest in the spare tire today though when I took off the cover to clean it. No idea how long it has been there (yikes!)

Terry · 10-06-2011, 04:10 PM

I bet you did what I did! I accidentally purchased the Atwood screens instead of the Norcold. I was not happy with myself lol....I ended up taking off several rows of the screens and adjusting them to make it fit. If I had to do it over again, I would have just thrown them out and purchased the right ones.

As far as the top vent - I am pretty sure that it already has a screen under the cover.

Crabby must just be lucky - I have those dirt daubers all over the place. They seem to like to make nests on the fresh water tank - not sure why - guess the light it reflects or something.

RedHorse1 · 10-06-2011, 04:41 PM

Hmmm, you got me wondering. They're for a Domitic. Grrr.

001952119 · 10-06-2011, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

I've installed screens on the water heater and furnace openings. The screens that I bought for the fridge don't fit properly and I will look for some that do. If I can't find any I'll do my own thing (thanks to 'gilldawg79').
What about the fridge vent on the roof? Do you pros screen that too?

Fridge vent on roof has a built in screen. No need to apply additional screen unless you want to keep very small birds from making a nest on top of that screen. I have never had a bird visit my roof vent for lodging in 40+ years of RV ownership.

Regarding the RV vents, I use 1/4" mesh screen. Cut strips and silicone in place.

clutch · 10-06-2011, 07:18 PM

So far after owning campers since 1972 we have never been visited with mud daubers. We must be very lucky.

RedHorse1 · 10-06-2011, 08:41 PM

My uncle tells a story about their furnace. Wouldn't light/stay lit. Dealer fussed w/ it for hours before discovering the daubers had built a mansion. Several hours of discovery/repair (read $$$) before all was right. He hadn't heard about the screens. Is now a believer.

Murphie · 10-07-2011, 02:42 AM

I am guessing a dirt dauber is an insect? I'm from the west coast and have never heard of them before. When I read about them before on other posts here, I thought it was a brand name for a type of screen. Sorry for my ignorance but could one of you tell me what they are and where they live? Thank in advance.

**Crabman** · 10-07-2011, 04:54 AM

Mud Dauber nest, Mud Dauber:

The mud nests they build are what does the damage to RV`s as they clog things up. Not sure of their range but I know they are here in Va.!

Seann45 · 10-07-2011, 07:31 AM

How many have read that you are supposed to remove the screens while using the RV?... I read that from an RV Tech's postings...
Seann

Lady Fitzgerald · 10-07-2011, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murphie

I am guessing a dirt dauber is an insect? I'm from the west coast and have never heard of them before. When I read about them before on other posts here, I thought it was a brand name for a type of screen. Sorry for my ignorance but could one of you tell me what they are and where they live? Thank in advance.

They may not range as far north as you. Dirt Daubers are essentially a kind of wasp. We have them here in the AZ. They used to love to nest inside the water heater compartment in my Mobile Home (it's vented to the outside) until I resorted to chemical warfare to keep them and the *&^%$#@! ants out (the ants were getting into my home through that compartment.

Everyone I know and I call them mud daubers but I may switch to calling them dirt daubers since I have an affectionate alliteration affinity.

Lady Fitzgerald · 10-07-2011, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seann45

How many have read that you are supposed to remove the screens while using the RV?... I read that from an RV Tech's postings...
Seann

I've seen that on occasion as well. I've also read that one should also only use screens designed for furnaces and water heaters to avoid restricting air flow. I've seen at least one RV Tech online that didn't seem to know as much as he thinks he did so, bein' from Missouri, the jury is still out for me on that one. I'm thinkin' since the screens are so ubiquitous, if they do need to be removed before using, the appliance manual will say so, even if only to give them a way to weasel out of honoring a warranty.

I have read cautions about making one's own dirt dauber screens since mesh size is critical. Too large and they will let the little buggers in. Too small and they will restrict too much airflow to the appliance.

RedHorse1 · 10-07-2011, 12:20 PM

I've noticed "most" folks call them mud daubers. In the parts of Texas that I've lived we've always called them dirt daubers (when we are being polite). To me it seems they will build anywhere that doesn't have people occupying the space. I don't think they have a sting (not 100% sure) but they sure have an annoying personality.

clutch · 10-07-2011, 09:36 PM

Our Montana had screens on the furnace and we didn't have any problem using it. With or with out screens we have never had a problem.

Lady Fitzgerald · 10-08-2011, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

...I don't think they have a sting (not 100% sure) but they sure have an annoying personality.

If it looks like a wasp, as far as I'm concerned it has a stinger. I'm sure as heck not going to get close enough to check!

Yes, I am a coward!

Edit: I just looked it up and they do have stingers!

CityFarmer · 10-08-2011, 08:01 AM

I think they are cool ( have screens on everything) they eat spiders!!

Tyreguy · 10-08-2011, 06:35 PM

After we brought our new-to-us pup home, I dove into cleaning/checking/doing catch-up maintenance and a/c unit was caked with mini-nests when I took the cover off to clean/check it.
We have an equally difficult issue with the 'paper' wasps building nests everywhere the daubers don't. Not only did we have daubers' nests in the a/c unit, we also had a paper nest inside the exterior furnace vent.
Every spring I have to spray and demolish paper nests being built under the awnings on our house.

Murphie · 10-11-2011, 03:35 AM

Thanks for the info. We have paper wasps in my area. For some reason they weren't so bad this summer, but the year before they built a large nest under the soffits at the peak of my house. I opened the upstairs living room window and let them have it with a can of wasp spray. I quickly shut the window and listened to the roar of sheer terror going on in the hive. They started flying into the front picture window by the thousands it seemed. It sounded like popcorn popping but only louder. I was afraid the window was going to break.
This event truly scared me and one i'll never forget. I just could not believe all the dead wasps on the lawn in the morning. So that's my wasp story.

bayleightucker · 04-28-2012, 02:45 AM

had a bird build a nest in the refer vent of an old layton tt we had. when i started to light the fridge i saw some straw in the bottom of the compartment , so i investigated. the whole vent was filled with weeds and straw, had i fired off that water heater im sure we would have lost that tt.

jim44646 · 04-28-2012, 12:09 PM

We have them in northern Ohio. We call them mud daubers. The love propane lines also.

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