Topic: Wasps in ISS

[kanewolf]

Has anyone had an issue with wasps (or other stinging insects) building a nest among the baffles of your ISS?

I noticed red wasps today "sniffing" around my ISS.....

[WeatherBeacon]

Has anyone had an issue with wasps (or other stinging insects) building a nest among the baffles of your ISS?

I noticed red wasps today "sniffing" around my ISS.....

Definitely!

There are holes on the bottom of the ISS that are there to run wires if necessary. Wasps find those very inviting. Some folks have stuffed "stuff" into those holes to plug them in an attempt to block the insects. A couple months ago Davis announced that they now have rubber grommets to plug the holes up. I emailed them and they sent me some without charge. Because it has been winter, I have not installed the grommets yet.

Wasps love building nests up inside the rain funnel (from underneath). I see them flying up around the ISS all the time. Whenever I go check the funnel for debris, I always have to be prepared to see wasps staring at me when I remove the funnel and look up inside it. I'm hoping that plugging the holes (need to do that soon) helps.

Regards,

Kevin...

[kray1000]

Spiders find the inside of the rain bucket itself inviting as well.

[Jiles111]

Yep! 
The spiders love mine as well. Its nothing to take off the bucket and see the spiders scatter. I have to check mine before each rain, because the spiders like to make a web right under the tipping bucket anchoring it down. Anyone figure out how to keep them out? I have tried a cut mouse glue trap and place it in there. It works for a while, but it seem the dust likes the glue more than the spiders. 

[jaded]

I have tried a cut mouse glue trap and place it in there. It works for a while, but it seem the dust likes the glue more than the spiders.

Have you tried stretching a patch of nylon hosiery over the holes?  It forms a pretty tight screen.  It's not the most durable stuff, but it's stronger than spiders.

I've been considering getting some small brass screens normally used with faucet flow aerators and hot gluing those over the holes.  They're available in a much finer mesh than ordinary window screen, and would last forever.

[WeatherBeacon]

I have tried a cut mouse glue trap and place it in there. It works for a while, but it seem the dust likes the glue more than the spiders.

Have you tried stretching a patch of nylon hosiery over the holes?  It forms a pretty tight screen.  It's not the most durable stuff, but it's stronger than spiders.

I've been considering getting some small brass screens normally used with faucet flow aerators and hot gluing those over the holes.  They're available in a much finer mesh than ordinary window screen, and would last forever.

Regarding glue, one thing I'd be careful of is that glue is organic and therefore will give mold a place to grow (especially in the ISS: glue + moisture = mold).

Kevin..

[bsevic]

I just installed mine this pass December. I was looking into putting a net over the top of the rain bucket (if that's what its called).

[WeatherBeacon]

I just installed mine this pass December. I was looking into putting a net over the top of the rain bucket (if that's what its called).

There is a problem with putting something, even a strainer or net, right over the rain funnel --- spattering. The rain drops hit the net and spatter, causing some of the rain to spray away from the funnel and giving you low rain readings.

Several PWS owners (myself included) have placed sink strainers (upside down) inside our rain funnels. That helps keep debris from clogging the small hole or jamming the tip buckets while also minimizing spattering. I'll look for a link on the forum.

Regards,

Kevin...

EDIT:  Here's a thread with pics:     http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=1043.0