If you have lived or vacationed in the Deep South, at some point you’ve likely encountered some pretty wicked wasps and bees. It doesn’t take long for a scout wasp to find that protected crevice, exhaust vent, drain opening or closed bay in your RV to make a nest.
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Wasp species that make different nests
Take mud daubers, for instance. While they are good at catching spiders and other insects, their nest can be a problem to get rid of if left unchecked. Yellow jackets, paper wasps and bees don’t need a lot of space to gain access. Just one female can quickly reproduce and, before you know it, you have a major problem.
Easily protect your RV’s vents
So how do you protect your RV’s vent openings? Mesh covers like these will keep the invaders out, especially if you store your RV for months. But do yourself a favor – secure with a lightweight wire as their springs easily break and can fall off if bumped.
There are other mesh bug screens for other parts of your RV, too. Check out all these options here.
The best time to kill the colony
According to bee experts, if you see wasps or bees flying around a vent, they may only be scouting. If they’re flying in and out, you already have a nest to destroy. If you spray insecticide on a vent or opening, that may initially steer them away. But, as the spray wanes or rain washes it away, you’ll be back to square one. For some species, spray just after dusk when the wasps will be in the nest and less likely to chase you and attack.
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Don’t forget that hollow bumper! Ditch the big hole end caps and install caps with small screen like holes.
I have purchased fine braided stainless steel rope and figured out how to secure stainless screen covers where springs won’t work. The SS rope can sometimes be found with jewelry making supplies.
Thank you. I do use wire to hold them on. I have not been able to find screens for items on the roof such as black tank vents, water heater vent or air-conditioning intake openings.
I’ve made screens out of old screen material for every opening on our trailer. Been working well for years.
Likely the way to go. We purchased the screens with the springy things and they fell off almost immediately. Waste of money & we unintentionally contributed to roadside trash.
I did buy the springy thing for the exhaust from the furnace and haven’t had any problems. I bought the screen things that fit on the fridge door. But I made screens for the water heater door (two screens for that). I had originally made screens (really a cob job!) for the fridge door but quickly abandoned them when I found pre-made screens that I could wire-tie to the door. Darned vermin – it’s a constant battle!
Thank you, Kate! I always try to spray nests — wasps, hornets, yellow jackets — in the early morning just after sunrise, when it is cool. They usually are sluggish and nesting then.
Mud dauber are messy but don’t sting. Destroy the nest if you see it.
From Google AI
“Mud daubers are unlikely to sting you, but in the event that it does, your symptoms may resemble a typical bug bite or sting. Mud dauber venom is mild, so you may not experience pain or swelling like more aggressive or harmful bees or wasps.
Mud daubers aren’t particularly aggressive creatures and will only attack and use their stingers if they feel threatened. However, even one sting can be fatal for people with bee and wasp allergies.”