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Old 11-05-2010, 08:15 AM   #1
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Mud dauber screen

I've been looking for a screen to put over the furnace exhaust vent to keep out the mud daubers. I can add screen wire to the inside of the various other vents and hatches, but that one needs an external cover. Camping world sells some generic covers, I was hoping for something a bit more specific.

Dave
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Old 11-05-2010, 03:50 PM   #2
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Re: Mud dauber screen

What's a 'mud dauber'?
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Old 11-05-2010, 05:17 PM   #3
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Re: Mud dauber screen

Don't feel bad asking. If I did not frequent trailer forums like this I would not know either. It is a warmer climate insect, not sure of its range, that looks like a wasp. At least that is what I have been told, as I have never seen one. Mud daubers do not frequent Cheesehead country, they do occur in Missouri because a local showed me the nest they build.

They like to build brown, clay like nests around appendages that are hidden or out of reach. The gas lines are a favorite like you might find for a water heater or refrigerator. They seem to get into the tightest spots. Once they build those nests you can have problems with those appliances, like they do not work.

That's it; you now know all I know about mud daubers. Someone else will have to fill in the blanks.
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Old 11-05-2010, 05:49 PM   #4
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Re: Mud dauber screen

There is a debate in Tennessee as to whether the mud dauber or the mosquito is the state bird. Here's a bit from wikipedia:

"Mud daubers are rarely aggressive. They do however pose a special risk to aircraft operation, as they are prone to nest in the small openings and tubes that compose aircraft pitot-static systems. Their presence in these systems can disable or impair the function of the airspeed indicator, the altimeter, and/or the vertical speed indicator. It is thought that mud dauber wasps were ultimately responsible for the crash of Birgenair Flight 301, which killed 189 passengers and crew.[2]

They are also the main predator of the black and brown widow spiders (another lovely denizen of this area...along with the brown recluse spider).

Black-and-yellow mud-dauber build a simple, one-cell, urn-shaped nest that is attached to crevices, cracks and corners. Each nest contains one egg. Usually, they clump several nests together and plaster more mud over them."


They enter through the refrigerator louvers, the water heater vent openings and the furnace exhaust, building clay (here in Memphis...maybe dirt elsewhere) castles for their young. The nests can clog tubes and vents in any of the aforementioned appliances and...there you are; stuff that doesn't work.

I will glue stainless steel screen wire behind the louvers and openings for the 'frig and water heater...but the furnace exhaust is surface mounted with rivets.. The cover is held over the vent with a couple of springs captured behind the exhaust,

Here's the one I'll use:

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furnace-screen-installed-2.jpg  
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Old 11-05-2010, 06:44 PM   #5
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Re: Mud dauber screen

We have mud daubers in Washington State. I store my trailer inside so I don't have the problem. Spiders can foul a hot water heater burner tube, you can put moth balls behind the exterior water heater door. RV Dealers Parts Dept sell the screens.
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Old 11-05-2010, 08:16 PM   #6
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Re: Mud dauber screen

Wish I had a hot water heater on my trailer...I cheaped out and got the cold water heater.

VBG...Dave
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Old 11-05-2010, 08:25 PM   #7
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Re: Mud dauber screen

Hi: All...I was snooping around the building supply store one day and I found some eave vents. They have slits in the aluminium on the outside and screen on the inside and just the right dia. to friction fit in the round furnace vent/hole. Sorry I don't have a pic and the trailer is in indoor storage about 1hr. away. Alf
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Old 11-05-2010, 08:41 PM   #8
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Re: Mud dauber screen

I think you need to be careful not to restrict air flow, which is the problem with the mud dauber in the first place...

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Old 11-05-2010, 08:44 PM   #9
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Re: Mud dauber screen

I talked to the Atwood folks while looking for a "custom fit." They recommend you remove the screen when operating the furnace as it can cause back pressure...which is apparently a bad thing. Since I'll only need the furnace when its too cold for mud daubers, its all good.


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Old 11-05-2010, 09:52 PM   #10
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Re: Mud dauber screen

Mud dauber:
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Old 11-06-2010, 12:18 AM   #11
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Re: Mud dauber screen

Hi: All...I forgot to mention that I only use the eave vent when the trailer is in storage. It'll keep any unwelcome guests from setting up housekeeping in the furnace!!! Alf
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Old 11-06-2010, 09:17 AM   #12
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Re: Mud dauber screen

nasty looking beasts aren't they?
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Old 11-06-2010, 09:56 AM   #13
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Re: Mud dauber screen

The day I became a mud-dauber....when my grandson was born and I had to change his diaper!
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Old 11-08-2010, 06:31 AM   #14
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Re: Mud dauber screen

Quote:
Originally Posted by peter
The day I became a mud-dauber....when my grandson was born and I had to change his diaper!
Hi: peter... Seems like you got a "Bum rap" to me!!! Alf
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Old 11-08-2010, 10:50 AM   #15
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Re: Mud dauber screen

Good one, Alf.....but is it old age that makes you so CHEEKY?
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