Wasps problem

[Alvorada]

For 3 seasons now we have had a wasp or wasps try to build a home/nest in the engine vents that are located on either side of the companion way hatch opening. Invariably the wife and kids hide down below while I do battle up above with a wet beach towel and my wits. It's usally just one or two wasps that I have to kill. Needless to say, this is not optimal for me...but I have not been stung...yet. Does anyone have any advice? Has this ever happened to anyone? I have thought about putting a screen on the inside of those vents but am worried it may restrict the airflow too much (or am I just paranoid about the airflow). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Francisco
"Alvorada" B-331

 

[anchorclanker]

I doubt screen would effect the airflow enough to worry about, though its only gotta be small enough mesh to keep out a wasp. 1/8 or 3/16 inch mesh should work fine.

I had a ton of nests in my boat when I found it. They were in the grill, under the lazarette, fuel tank storage, inside the sail and sail cover, and I got stung several times shooing them away and tearing out the nests, but wasp stings never bothered me so I wasnt real afraid of them. Ive probably been stung by wasps more than two dozen times over the years and never got anything more than a welt.

Last week when I opened the car door to read the VIN for some parts, I didnt know they had built a nest inside the door jam, and I got stung once on my left little finger, but it was bad. I have since learned they can control the amount of venom they inject, from a warning shot, to a fatal shot. You dont have to be allergic to react to that much venom.

My hand swelled to twice its size within 24 hours, then the fever started. I probably should have seen the doctor but I really didnt have any allergy symtoms, just symptoms associated with infection and the venom itself.

So please be careful around them, and keep your kids safe. I'm 220 pounds, I hate to think how my 100 pound daughter would have reacted. And again, you dont have to be allergic for them to kill you. If they sting you in your mouth you could be in a lot of trouble real fast.

 

[Slow Mo^cean]

I would just keep a can of wasp killer on your boat. Even if you negate their entrance to one spot on your boat, they will find another. Here in Texas, we have all sorts of wasps, from aggressive to semi-docile. Mostly the mud-daubers are the ones that find their way into our boats and build nests. I just hit them with a quick spray and they either die on contact or fly away to die somewhere else, but the usually never revisit that nest.

 

[Alvorada]

Thanks for the info and the ideas. I might try to find mesh that's just small enough. It's the spot they keep choosing that makes it such a pain. Anywhere else I would spray away. Thanks again.

 

[BCDurbin]

..........My hand swelled to twice its size within 24 hours, then the fever started. I probably should have seen the doctor ..........

So how's the hand now? Show pics!