Forum Discussion

Michael1222's avatar
Michael1222
Explorer
Jan 09, 2014

WE HAVE A WASP PROBLEM

We own a 2003 Class C Four Winds 5000. About a month ago, we had the RV home in our driveway to clean it and get it ready to store at a location nearby. I turned the furnace on and immediatly black smoke and soot came pouring out of the vent and our carbon monoxide detector went off. I turned furnace off, and proceeded to try and clear the vent with a wire hangar. I got a couple pieces of mud wasp nests, but couldn't get all of it. Today I had RV tech come by to service it. He found many more wasp nests in the combustion chamber. I told him I was planning on purchasing a screen for that opening and he was told by the manufacturer of my furnace which is an Atwood 8500-IV with door, not to attach a screen over the vent. What are your thoughts about my wasp problem and any suggestions as to what I should do about the opening, or do you think the screen is the way to go. Thank you
Class C
  • eubank's avatar
    eubank
    Explorer
    Jan 09, 2014
    Those wasp covers should not be used on some models, but that applies only for the period during which the heater is being used. If your rig sits idle for long periods (storage), cover the holes to keep the critters out. Just remember to remove the covers when you use the rig.
    :)
    Lynn
  • CloudDriver's avatar
    CloudDriver
    Explorer
    Jan 09, 2014
    After reading previous posts about mud daubers and paper wasps building nests in furnace ducts I installed a rectangular screen over the burner vents, similar to the first one in this link. The furnace manufacturer does say not to install anything that might block airflow, but I figured that there was plenty of open area in this large screen. It's been a couple of years and no problems.
  • Handbasket's avatar
    Handbasket
    Explorer
    Jan 09, 2014
    I've started giving furnace, reefer upper & lower, and water heater vents, and the power cord box cover a 1-2 second shot of wasp killer each spring and about 6 weeks after thru the summer. This was after finding the beginning of paper wasps' nests inside the water heater door 2X & power door 1X in the same season. Make sure all LP flames are OFF first. I doubt the effect lingers enough to kill them, but it seems to send them elsewhere to build a home. BTW, this is despite the fact that the Tiger is driven at least weekly during the summer.

    Jim, "I'm not a pessimist. I'm an optimist with experience."
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Jan 10, 2014
    I have put those screens over the exhaust of every RV I've owned. They work fine with the screens in place.
  • bukhrn's avatar
    bukhrn
    Explorer III
    Jan 10, 2014
    CloudDriver wrote:
    After reading previous posts about mud daubers and paper wasps building nests in furnace ducts I installed a rectangular screen over the burner vents, similar to the first one in this link. The furnace manufacturer does say not to install anything that might block airflow, but I figured that there was plenty of open area in this large screen. It's been a couple of years and no problems.
    That's exactly what I have on mine, I fail to see how that's blocking anything, except the mud daubers. Haven't had a problem in 7 years.

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