Community Forums

Joe442 · 03-19-2019, 07:09 PM

Is it safe to send some wasp spray up the fridge vent? Safe meaning I wont ruin anything under there. Learning all about the RV. Got TT in October been covered since and starting to work on it. Before I take vent cover off would like to spray the nest.

egwilly · 03-19-2019, 07:59 PM

Wouldn't think it would cause any issues. I would't over do it though. Squirt and run!

I bought some stainless screens from Amazon to cover the reefer and furnace vents for that very reason. Check and make sure the top screen is still in place.

Fulltimer · 03-19-2019, 08:19 PM

Dont know how flammable the killer spray might be. You might want to turn the fridge OFF during the spraying. Dont forget to turn it back on when done.

wingnut60 · 03-19-2019, 08:50 PM

Never spray an aerosol into an open flame area--turn the fridge off gas if on...other that than, won't hurt anything. I used wire cloth to cover the vent openings on my last fiver with the RV fridge--worked well.

Old-Biscuit · 03-20-2019, 01:28 AM

DO you really want that sticking spray all over the backside of fridge......wiring, propane lines, cover on circuit board...circuit board cause cover is NOT completely sealed etc

If you have an actual NEST...call a bee keeper. He can smoke them out and remove the nest

georgelesley · 03-20-2019, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by egwilly

Wouldn't think it would cause any issues. I would't over do it though. Squirt and run!

I bought some stainless screens from Amazon to cover the reefer and furnace vents for that very reason. Check and make sure the top screen is still in place.

Our refer manufacturer specifically warns against putting screen in the openings. It reduces airflow. Back when refrigerator vents were on the roof and the flow was better I think it was probably ok. Now that many refers are in the slide out and are side vented any restriction to airflow is not a good thing.

A tip that solves the problem I learned on this forum several years ago that really works is to put a cat flea collar in the compartment. The first time I did it as I replaced the vent panel an very unhappy wasp came out at me thru the vent slot. I change it a few times each season. Never had a bee in there since.

TCollins · 03-20-2019, 05:20 AM

Depending on where you live the bees may still be dormant. In that case you can remove the cover and scrape the nest out (if you can reach it). Otherwise judicious spraying should work. Just be sure to completely shut down the fridge and leave off until spray has completely evaporated.

Unplanned Tourist · 03-20-2019, 05:23 AM

Joe442, good on you for cleaning out the back side of the fridge.
I see you are in NY, those bees should be pretty groggy early in the cool morning. Maybe just clean them out then.
Happy Glamping.

MSHappyCampers · 03-20-2019, 04:05 PM

I would remove the access door and squirt exactly where you want, not just at random through the holes!

Joe442 · 03-20-2019, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unplanned

Joe442, good on you for cleaning out the back side of the fridge.
I see you are in NY, those bees should be pretty groggy early in the cool morning. Maybe just clean them out then.
Happy Glamping.

Actually haven't seen any yet but it is getting to the low 50s here.

I did spray it. If you look close at the pic in my first post here you can barely see it through the vent holes. So I only sprayed where I saw the nest. Taking vent cover off tomorrow.

I like the screen idea mentioned by egwilly.

Bob_C · 03-20-2019, 06:23 PM

All of mine are screened off.....even the A/C shroud....

astrnmrtom · 03-24-2019, 06:13 PM

I used to deal with these little devils quite a bit at work. Read the can carefully and it will tell you if it can be used around possible ignition sources. I'd say no, because all the wasp sprays I've used have a petroleum carrier. They can leave an oily residue and stink for quite a while. I'm talking about the wasp jet sprays.

Your best bet is to strike in the dead of night, the colder the better and knock the nest down and step on it. If I see what I think I see in your photo, it looks like a European paper wasp. They make an open faced paper nest.

My last few years of pest control work I almost never used wasp spray to deal with these nests. I just got them when they were sleeping. Worst comes to worst, if you aren't comfortable with hand to hand combat, since it looks like the nest is right at the opening give it a shot with a household flying insect spray like Raid or Black Flag. Don't hose it.

grindstone01 · 03-24-2019, 06:40 PM

If the hornets are active (usually mid/late summer), then cover the vent hole with a pre-cut piece of duct tape, remove the cover screws and let the cover fall to the ground and get out of there fast. After things calm down, you can go back and spray the nest directly. I actually found that WD-40 will kill them the fastest.
If you are in NY, then the adults are dead from the winter frost and only the larva are in the nest which can't hurt you until they mature in late spring. Just remove the nest and stomp on it.