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Unnecessary complication [message #357512] Wed, 05 August 2020 12:45 Go to next message
indymac is currently offline  indymac   United States
Messages: 26
Registered: August 2013
Location: Decatur, IN
Karma: 0
Junior Member
While my coach is awaiting deployment as an RV, it is pinch hitting as the local wasp magnet, safe house, and recreation facility.
Mind you, I wish them no harm, just want them to relocate.
Also they represent an absolute and total deterrent to any hope for help.
After 10+ cans of wasp spray, 3 busted fly swatters, and expensive traps, I decided I would attempt to be smarter than they are.
Brief research proved not very helpful other than find the nests and treat them.

The first major infestation was the A/C unit on the roof.
They knew it would be hard to get to, and it was.
But after removing the cover and spraying they seem to be avoiding (can you hear me knocking on wood?)

Next, and well hidden, was the front frame. After spraying several times nothing worked.
Until I started blocking holes with steel wool.
Rusted after some time, I ended up opting for foam spray.
Concerned about trapping moisture, I choose the lessor of two evils.
Thinking there were only a couple, ended up being a challenge to find them all.
You may see the nests near the hole, but you'll never see the huge nests farther in the frame, or be able to spray them without special equipment.
And then the ones on vacation return.

Next, after continually spraying the oven vents for years, I upped the ante and placed screens cut to fit under the outer cover.
Intention is to eventually screen all exposed louvers and favorite haunts, generator, exhaust vent (can't get screw out), propane tank area, and fridge cover.
Yes, concerned about air flow but that's only an issue if you use things, not parked for 10 years.
Also on the list is rubber seals on the shore power lid and other swing or removable panels. They don't need much room to invite themselves in.

Oh, one they were good at giving me a decoys.
In the genset area I had knocked down several nests hanging just inside near the top.
Tracing a couple years later turned out the biggest nest was behind the foam insulation surrounding the genset, near the front top where it had separated from the body.

The two requiring Sherlock Holmes skills were the odd shaped tubes running along the bottom side of the coach after the rubber covers were lost.
One of the last ones was the area where the body is supported by the frame. Still have a few of those to go.

As I uncover more of their fox holes I will update.

Probably not a problem if you actually use your coach, but for me priority #1 and prerequisite for working on it.
They even built one behind the inside dash as I had left the engine cover off.

Oh, one I'm not sure about. Seen the buggers crawling inside around the A/C lines in the front. Not sure I've got that one under control.
Hint, if you're having trouble locating the nest, just look for the mud or whatever they leave behind after they land going home.

May be due to my location near a creek. I'm sure much more prone to unused coaches.

I will consider myself with this singular expertise on GMC Motorhomes, and nothing else, until I hear another suggestion.
Will gladly relinquish the crown for any help whatsoever.

Please don't ask how many hours I have in this project, or give my significant other a hint how much time I was wasting.



77 Palm Beach 403 Decatur, IN TZE167V101738
Re: Unnecessary complication [message #357514 is a reply to message #357512] Wed, 05 August 2020 13:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
C Boyd is currently offline  C Boyd   United States
Messages: 2629
Registered: April 2006
Karma: 18
Senior Member
Sir, soapy water in a garden sprayer will kill flying insects, wasps, yellow jackets, etc. on contact. A friend had the biggest Yellowjacket nest I have ever seen under the aluminum siding of her house. It took some caution and all day but no more Yellowjackets.




indymac wrote on Wed, 05 August 2020 13:45
While my coach is awaiting deployment as an RV, it is pinch hitting as the local wasp magnet, safe house, and recreation facility.
Mind you, I wish them no harm, just want them to relocate.
Also they represent an absolute and total deterrent to any hope for help.
After 10+ cans of wasp spray, 3 busted fly swatters, and expensive traps, I decided I would attempt to be smarter than they are.
Brief research proved not very helpful other than find the nests and treat them.

The first major infestation was the A/C unit on the roof.
They knew it would be hard to get to, and it was.
But after removing the cover and spraying they seem to be avoiding (can you hear me knocking on wood?)

Next, and well hidden, was the front frame. After spraying several times nothing worked.
Until I started blocking holes with steel wool.
Rusted after some time, I ended up opting for foam spray.
Concerned about trapping moisture, I choose the lessor of two evils.
Thinking there were only a couple, ended up being a challenge to find them all.
You may see the nests near the hole, but you'll never see the huge nests farther in the frame, or be able to spray them without special equipment.
And then the ones on vacation return.

Next, after continually spraying the oven vents for years, I upped the ante and placed screens cut to fit under the outer cover.
Intention is to eventually screen all exposed louvers and favorite haunts, generator, exhaust vent (can't get screw out), propane tank area, and fridge cover.
Yes, concerned about air flow but that's only an issue if you use things, not parked for 10 years.
Also on the list is rubber seals on the shore power lid and other swing or removable panels. They don't need much room to invite themselves in.

Oh, one they were good at giving me a decoys.
In the genset area I had knocked down several nests hanging just inside near the top.
Tracing a couple years later turned out the biggest nest was behind the foam insulation surrounding the genset, near the front top where it had separated from the body.

The two requiring Sherlock Holmes skills were the odd shaped tubes running along the bottom side of the coach after the rubber covers were lost.
One of the last ones was the area where the body is supported by the frame. Still have a few of those to go.

As I uncover more of their fox holes I will update.

Probably not a problem if you actually use your coach, but for me priority #1 and prerequisite for working on it.
They even built one behind the inside dash as I had left the engine cover off.

Oh, one I'm not sure about. Seen the buggers crawling inside around the A/C lines in the front. Not sure I've got that one under control.
Hint, if you're having trouble locating the nest, just look for the mud or whatever they leave behind after they land going home.

May be due to my location near a creek. I'm sure much more prone to unused coaches.

I will consider myself with this singular expertise on GMC Motorhomes, and nothing else, until I hear another suggestion.
Will gladly relinquish the crown for any help whatsoever.

Please don't ask how many hours I have in this project, or give my significant other a hint how much time I was wasting.



C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
Re: [GMCnet] Unnecessary complication [message #357515 is a reply to message #357514] Wed, 05 August 2020 14:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Mike Kelley is currently offline  Mike Kelley   United States
Messages: 467
Registered: February 2017
Karma: -2
Senior Member
Chuck - The flying insect specialist:
I assume you also have a drivable GMC!
Mike/the Corvair a holic
Note: Married to Billie Young (as you knew her - now Billie Kelley as of 6 1/2 years ago).
She says Hi!

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 5, 2020, at 1:45 PM, Charles Boyd via Gmclist wrote:
>
> Sir, soapy water in a garden sprayer will kill flying insects, wasps, yellow jackets, etc. on contact. A friend had the biggest Yellowjacket nest I
> have ever seen under the aluminum siding of her house. It took some caution and all day but no more Yellowjackets.
>
>
>
>
> indymac wrote on Wed, 05 August 2020 13:45
>> While my coach is awaiting deployment as an RV, it is pinch hitting as the local wasp magnet, safe house, and recreation facility.
>> Mind you, I wish them no harm, just want them to relocate.
>> Also they represent an absolute and total deterrent to any hope for help.
>> After 10+ cans of wasp spray, 3 busted fly swatters, and expensive traps, I decided I would attempt to be smarter than they are.
>> Brief research proved not very helpful other than find the nests and treat them.
>>
>> The first major infestation was the A/C unit on the roof.
>> They knew it would be hard to get to, and it was.
>> But after removing the cover and spraying they seem to be avoiding (can you hear me knocking on wood?)
>>
>> Next, and well hidden, was the front frame. After spraying several times nothing worked.
>> Until I started blocking holes with steel wool.
>> Rusted after some time, I ended up opting for foam spray.
>> Concerned about trapping moisture, I choose the lessor of two evils.
>> Thinking there were only a couple, ended up being a challenge to find them all.
>> You may see the nests near the hole, but you'll never see the huge nests farther in the frame, or be able to spray them without special
>> equipment.
>> And then the ones on vacation return.
>>
>> Next, after continually spraying the oven vents for years, I upped the ante and placed screens cut to fit under the outer cover.
>> Intention is to eventually screen all exposed louvers and favorite haunts, generator, exhaust vent (can't get screw out), propane tank area, and
>> fridge cover.
>> Yes, concerned about air flow but that's only an issue if you use things, not parked for 10 years.
>> Also on the list is rubber seals on the shore power lid and other swing or removable panels. They don't need much room to invite themselves in.
>>
>> Oh, one they were good at giving me a decoys.
>> In the genset area I had knocked down several nests hanging just inside near the top.
>> Tracing a couple years later turned out the biggest nest was behind the foam insulation surrounding the genset, near the front top where it had
>> separated from the body.
>>
>> The two requiring Sherlock Holmes skills were the odd shaped tubes running along the bottom side of the coach after the rubber covers were lost.
>> One of the last ones was the area where the body is supported by the frame. Still have a few of those to go.
>>
>> As I uncover more of their fox holes I will update.
>>
>> Probably not a problem if you actually use your coach, but for me priority #1 and prerequisite for working on it.
>> They even built one behind the inside dash as I had left the engine cover off.
>>
>> Oh, one I'm not sure about. Seen the buggers crawling inside around the A/C lines in the front. Not sure I've got that one under control.
>> Hint, if you're having trouble locating the nest, just look for the mud or whatever they leave behind after they land going home.
>>
>> May be due to my location near a creek. I'm sure much more prone to unused coaches.
>>
>> I will consider myself with this singular expertise on GMC Motorhomes, and nothing else, until I hear another suggestion.
>> Will gladly relinquish the crown for any help whatsoever.
>>
>> Please don't ask how many hours I have in this project, or give my significant other a hint how much time I was wasting.
>
>
> --
> C. Boyd
> 76 Crestmont
> East Tennessee
>
> _______________________________________________
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Re: Unnecessary complication [message #357530 is a reply to message #357514] Thu, 06 August 2020 19:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
indymac is currently offline  indymac   United States
Messages: 26
Registered: August 2013
Location: Decatur, IN
Karma: 0
Junior Member
Be still my heart.
You've knocked $50 off my annual wasp budget!
Ever since reading your tip I've had the Grass Roots "Where were you when I needed you"
In my head and can't get it out.

Now, save what's left of my sanity.
Tell me it works for chiggers.
The wasps don't bite.
The chiggers do, right where you don't want to be bite or scratch.
The bites are 10X worse than mosquito and take forever to go away, actually leaving scars!
The are my ultimate arch rival, and an even longer battle.

Will it work on those or do you know of another cure?
Forever grateful

Jim


77 Palm Beach 403 Decatur, IN TZE167V101738
Re: Unnecessary complication [message #357535 is a reply to message #357530] Fri, 07 August 2020 08:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
C Boyd is currently offline  C Boyd   United States
Messages: 2629
Registered: April 2006
Karma: 18
Senior Member
Sir, don’t know bout chiggers? It will work if they breathe thru their abdomen as flying insects do. As for saving money on wasp spray, I still keep a fresh can at every entrance to the house as a deterrent to unwanted intruders instead of keeping a Kid safe loaded gun within arms reach when opening the door.

Mike/the Corvair a holic , yes I remember Ms Billie. Please tell her I say Hay.. and yes We have a coach that is drivable.




indymac wrote on Thu, 06 August 2020 20:47
Be still my heart.
You've knocked $50 off my annual wasp budget!
Ever since reading your tip I've had the Grass Roots "Where were you when I needed you"
In my head and can't get it out.

Now, save what's left of my sanity.
Tell me it works for chiggers.
The wasps don't bite.
The chiggers do, right where you don't want to be bite or scratch.
The bites are 10X worse than mosquito and take forever to go away, actually leaving scars!
The are my ultimate arch rival, and an even longer battle.

Will it work on those or do you know of another cure?
Forever grateful

Jim


C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
Re: Unnecessary complication [message #357578 is a reply to message #357512] Sat, 08 August 2020 12:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
Senior Member
Well, I just refilled the differential with its new synthetic 75-140 weight (I think... can's outside) and watched the crunchbugs - paper wasps this time - hang around the front of the coach. Inside the open passenger side hatch I could see the edge of a nest hanging from the underside of the cowl. The passenger side hatch opening and parts beyond now look like a FireFight<tm> demo. The foam will recede and it doesn't hurt anything but the wasps.
My engine oil cooler lines were off for a bit, they now have dirt dobber nests within. I will have to pass a swab through them to get them clean.


Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: [GMCnet] Unnecessary complication [message #357579 is a reply to message #357578] Sat, 08 August 2020 13:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
Senior Member
Johnny, view Robin Hood's videos. They are hilarious. Poor Robin, but he
prevails in the end. Should be required viewing for all GMCers.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

On Sat, Aug 8, 2020, 10:38 AM Johnny Bridges via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:

> Well, I just refilled the differential with its new synthetic 75-140
> weight (I think... can's outside) and watched the crunchbugs - paper wasps
> this
> time - hang around the front of the coach. Inside the open passenger side
> hatch I could see the edge of a nest hanging from the underside of the
> cowl. The passenger side hatch opening and parts beyond now look like a
> FireFight demo. The foam will recede and it doesn't hurt anything but
> the wasps.
> My engine oil cooler lines were off for a bit, they now have dirt dobber
> nests within. I will have to pass a swab through them to get them clean.
> --
> Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
> Braselton, Ga.
> I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me
> in hell
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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Re: Unnecessary complication [message #357598 is a reply to message #357512] Sun, 09 August 2020 07:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
Senior Member
Robin is something of a hoot. He hauled that coach to his current location on six wheels and tires I gave him. Hopefully he'll get ahead of Morgan and Morgan enough to join us at some rallies when things open back up.

--johnny


Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: Unnecessary complication [message #357620 is a reply to message #357512] Mon, 10 August 2020 11:24 Go to previous messageGo to next message
kingd is currently offline  kingd   Canada
Messages: 592
Registered: June 2004
Karma: 2
Senior Member
I don't know where she bought it but SHE found stainless steel steel wool for blocking mouse entrance at her house.
Solves the rusting problem.


DAVE KING lurker, wannabe Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Re: Unnecessary complication [message #357640 is a reply to message #357512] Tue, 11 August 2020 08:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
TR 1 is currently offline  TR 1   United States
Messages: 348
Registered: August 2015
Location: DFW
Karma: -7
Senior Member
The soapy water thing works on fire ants as well....

Mark S. '73 Painted Desert, Manny 1 Ton Front End, Howell Injection, Leigh Harrison 4bag and Rear Brakes, Fort Worth, TX
Re: [GMCnet] Unnecessary complication [message #357641 is a reply to message #357620] Tue, 11 August 2020 11:20 Go to previous message
Ken Henderson is currently offline  Ken Henderson   United States
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
Senior Member
https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Scrubbing-Scouring-scrubber-Kitchens/dp/B07CTHPJYK/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=stainless+steel+wool&qid=1597 162800&sr=8-3

Ken H.


On Mon, Aug 10, 2020 at 12:25 PM Dave King via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:

> I don't know where she bought it but SHE found stainless steel steel wool
> for blocking mouse entrance at her house.
> Solves the rusting problem.
> --
> DAVE KING
> lurker, wannabe
> Toronto, Ontario, Canada
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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