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bob109 · 09-07-2012, 09:41 PM

Walking along side my Fleetwood Discovery I observed a wasp entering the vent cover on my Atwood Furnace. Upon closer inspection I discovered that the vent cover had holes which were approximately 5/16" square which provided easy access for the wasps and other insects, of their size, to enter the unit. I removed the cover and found several wasp nests attached to the heater housing directly above the exhaust pipe.
To remedy the problem I purchased a wire mesh paper tray at K-Mart for $4.00 and cut two pieces of the mesh 5"x5" and secured them with wire ties to the back side of the furnace covers. This simple fix should keep all insects from entering my furnaces.
Here's a few pics for clarity!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8030/7...15ed202d_c.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8462/7...74b9bbc7_c.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8181/7...1d9d2b75_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8299/7...bbb6d1c8_c.jpg

H. Miller · 09-08-2012, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob109

This simple fix should keep all insects from entering my furnaces.

Actually not...What about the "exhaust pipe"? Possibly our wasps are more aggressive than yours and we have a red wasp that is known as a "dirt dauber" that build nests from mud. Either will build a nest on the squirrel cage blower causing a severe imbalance. A formed stainless screen is available as stainless should withstand the heat output of the exhaust..

bob109 · 09-08-2012, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H. Miller

Actually not...What about the "exhaust pipe"? Possibly our wasps are more aggressive than yours and we have a red wasp that is known as a "dirt dauber" that build nests from mud. Either will build a nest on the squirrel cage blower causing a severe imbalance. A formed stainless screen is available as stainless should withstand the heat output of the exhaust..

Since day one I've had the stainless exhaust screens in place! I'm sure that the ones I have are the same ones you described.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8459/7...b36d40bb_c.jpg
Like you, we have the industrious "mud daubers" which like to fill every empty hole with eggs and mud.