Wasps in the Rafters

[bad_idea]

I built a 30x40x12 stick built garage with OSB roof decking, ridge vent, and soffit vents. I had a contractor put the roof on, I don't do heights. Do ridge vents have any kind of screen in them to keep the wasps out? If not, then I think I will put some screen on the under side of the roof deck to keep the wasps out. Mud daubers out too, they are wreaking havoc too.

 

[astroracer]

A good ridge vent should be screened. The little bastards only need a pencil size hole to get in... Get a couple of cans of spray foam and get busy plugging holes...
Mark

 

[mcbane]

Depending where you are, wind blown embers can be a bigger problem than wasps. Ask for 1/8” max opening if that is a concern.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[SGKent]

a sudsy soapy spray in a pump up sprayer that gets foamy on wasps of bees works too. They can't breathe and fall to the ground then die. There was a huge bee nest in downtown LA one time on the news. Blocks were sealed off and a crew came out to spray. News media shot the huge nest being sprayed. They all fell to the ground and died. Media asked, "what special chemical did you spray them with?" Soap and water was the answer. It works really well but you have to put enough soap in to make it bubble when it hits the nest. Most sprayers can spray a pencil spray plenty far when pumped up so you can stay back when you spray. Soap and water won't mess up things like all the harsh chemicals and it is not flammable.

example:

 

[OccupantRJ]

Try a can or two of the 20 foot reach wasp spray along inside the underside of the roof vent. The residual chemical may work to deter them from entering and staying. It is cheap, fast, and easy enough to do from either the floor or a step ladder if you have an open ceiling. I know when I spray a nest here they do not build back in that spot. Some sprays are liquid and some are foam. The ends of your ridge vent may be open without screening.

 

[rlitman]

Every ridge vent I've seen either has a screen or uses reticulated foam.

 

[matt_i]

Before you go nuclear on them I would watch for a little bit from a safe distance to see where they are entering and exiting so you can patch that area(s) for future exclusion.