Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Paper wasps (Read 838 times) previous topic - next topic

Paper wasps

 We are almost ready to roll again after having to lay up over the summer. Unfortunately I have discovered paper wasps, well Steph and my grandson were attacked, behind the external grill to the radiator and it appears just inside the air intake at the top of the coach.

I was able to neutralize the wasps in the large nest they had made at the radiator. But don't know how to take that grill off. It appears to be a pop riveted but is there another way to get it off?
 
My next concern is the nest inside the air intake.  I am going to have to get a ladder to make my shot.  I don't want it to fall down further into the intake.  Have any of you removed these before or have recommendations?
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: Paper wasps

Reply #1 –
If your intake is like mine you have the seperator before the air filter and if it has never been taken apart and cleaned,nows the time,
it will be dirty and worth the effort to do it.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Paper wasps

Reply #2 –
Too bad you couldn't use a big shop vac to get rid of them.  Then suck up some Delta Dust and cap the end of the hose for a couple of days to kill 'em all inside.

Re: Paper wasps

Reply #3 –
Tman that made me smile.  I know what you mean but I visualized one of those insurance commercials.  Me on a ladder at the top of the coach wildly using the hose to suck up the wasps while under attack. 

My grandson got hit by the first one at the radiator and Steph had to check it out and about a dozen came after her.  A woman our age can move really fast at times.  Only one sting.
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: Paper wasps

Reply #4 –
On mine, you get to the back of the grill through the back of the cabinet above the bed.  You might search for rear view camera threads for more details.  It is really pretty easy.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: Paper wasps

Reply #6 –
Is there a way for you to unhook the intake down below that you could kill the wasps from the top and just push the nest on through, or remove the air filter and let the nest go into the empty housing, taking precautionary measures to insure cleanliness of the intake?

Re: Paper wasps

Reply #7 –
Not sure what it looks like.  Going up to try and hit the nest after they return to the nest in the evening or just after sunrise.  Best chance of getting them while inactive and in the nest. Johns note on separator is first look.  I can't raise the engine hood right now as they seem to be quite on edge.  May sneak up on them behind the panel in the cabinet.
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: Paper wasps

Reply #8 –
I would't open up the inside of the coach to get at the wasps.  Then they are just inside.

I like the shop vac idea with a narrow crevice tool.  In no time flat it will be just like some silly Woody Allen move.  You can put a big lamp shade over your head for protection.  Be sure to have Steph making a video.  Dead wasps and nest bits will all get trapped by the screen thing ? or the air filter.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Paper wasps

Reply #9 –
Quote from: George and Steph –
Going up to try and hit the nest after they return to the nest in the evening or just after sunrise.
How about using some kind of bug bomb/fogger?  Set it off down low under coach where the mist will drift up into the infested areas, and run.  Come back the next morning and see if they're dead.  Finish off any survivors with wasp spray.  I'm not sure how much of the "stink" would get inside the coach.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Paper wasps

Reply #10 –
Be careful and good luck.

The last time I got bitten by yellowjackets was due to my running over their nest with my tractor tire.  A few days later I drove
down in the car and pin-pointed the opening to their nest, came back in the car after dark to pour some gas (usually 1 cup) down the hole and ended up pouring in a whole gallon for vengeance.

Re: Paper wasps

Reply #11 –
Quote from: George and Steph –
Tman that made me smile.  I know what you mean but I visualized one of those insurance commercials.  Me on a ladder at the top of the coach wildly using the hose to suck up the wasps while under attack. 

My grandson got hit by the first one at the radiator and Steph had to check it out and about a dozen came after her.  A woman our age can move really fast at times.  Only one sting.
Good idea to keep some wasp spray handy may be good around a picnic ground and other outdoor areas. Keep it next to your bear pepper spray. Lol
Bob and Carol Cox
1987 gv 36 ft dp
Cat 3208t
2013 tundra crew cab lift

Re: Paper wasps

Reply #12 –
Quote from: John44 –
If your intake is like mine you have the seperator before the air filter

John,

Are you talking about one of these Donaldson H000878  ?  If so there are very few coaches that had these installed OEM.  Most I have seen of yours and our age coaches were added aftermarket.

Pamela & Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."
 

Re: Paper wasps

Reply #13 –
Engine radiator air intake grill on our model year coaches are riveted. We drilled out rivets and make new removable attachments with tinnerman clip nuts on supports and screws through grill into nuts to attach grill. A drop of silicone caulk on threads will keep screws from coming undone. Everyone that does not have hinged grills should do this to have access for cleaning. We also attached hardware cloth to backside of grill to reduce vacuuming leaves, etc.

Top rear air intake/camera is only accessible by removing center vertical wood panel on back of cabinet above bed. Then weather proof door behind. It will be dirty in this area.