Mud Dauber Problems Anyone?

[Metalman]

Our RV is parked in a shed with open ends while we summer in Kentucky. Mud daubers have been a constant problem over the years. The most recent nest was attached to a blade on the Fantastic Fan in the bedroom. It jammed the fan so it wouldn't spin. I had to remove the fan to knock off the nest and wash the blades.

We have a cover on the roof over the fan, but they still fine their way between the roof and the vent cover.

[Bob Denman]

I've never seen an "apartment complex" like that; but I have seen what they can do to a shotgun barrel...

[The Gritz Carlton]

I store the same way...18' wide by 40' long open on both ends metal shed. You can see the little holes in the ground where they buzz around, loading up dirt. Spray the ground under the shed and MH with Cypermethrin diluted down per instruction. You can also spray the bottom areas of MH and around the vents, domes, etc. Another product that works is Pyrethrin. It works great for other flying insects but not as good on daubers as Cypermethrin. I mix Pyrethrin with diesel and use it in a LP powered fogger to treat the area you are camping in...no flies or mosquitoes for hours. Is the ground under your shed dirt or paved?

[K0LCB]

I put pieces of a large dog flea collar in water heater compartment, behind refrigerator, in LP compartment and behind furnace.

[Metalman]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

I store the same way...18' wide by 40' long open on both ends metal shed. You can see the little holes in the ground where they buzz around, loading up dirt. Spray the ground under the shed and MH with Cypermethrin diluted down per instruction. You can also spray the bottom areas of MH and around the vents, domes, etc. Another product that works is Pyrethrin. It works great for other flying insects but not as good on daubers as Cypermethrin. I mix Pyrethrin with diesel and use it in a LP powered fogger to treat the area you are camping in...no flies or mosquitoes for hours. Is the ground under your shed dirt or paved?

Thanks for the information. The bottom of the shed is crushed rock. We live in the country and there is red soil for them to build nests everywhere.

[Oldchief]

Moth balls keep mud/dirt dobbers out of the vented compartments on our Axis, like the heater access and the one for the gas/electric fridge. Put a small plastic cup containing about 6 moth balls in each space. Cup needs to be secured so it won't tip over as moth balls will cause corrosion and rust if in contact with metal. Never see any trace of bugs in these areas.

[Bob Denman]

If Moth Balls work: I would hazard a guess that the typical dryer sheet or peppermint oil-soaked cotton ball tricks; would also be effective.