Author Topic: Sealing off vent cap against wasps - questions  (Read 1021 times)

secondcor521

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Sealing off vent cap against wasps - questions
« on: June 04, 2019, 05:23:47 PM »
I have what I think is a fairly typical configuration in my master bathroom.  There is a ceiling fan in their which vents into a flexible hose which is connected to what I would call a vent cap in my roof.

The vent cap itself is metal.  There is a 4" cylindrical piece perpendicular to the roof which extends vertically about 4".  This is covered with an approximately 6" x 4" x 2" rectangular metal cover which I think is there to keep the rain out.  This cover appears to be attached to the 4" cylindrical piece with grommets or rivets.  There is about a 2" gap between the bottom of the cover and the roof (composite shingles).

It looks like the "STAINLESS STEEL STANDARD J-VENT" sixth image down from the top here:

https://www.artiscaps.com/products/roof-vent-caps/

The problem I am trying to remedy is that the paper wasps in my area like to live in the warm humid air, so they build nests inside the vent cap.  Their nest severely restricts air flow and causes undesirable moisture buildup in the master bathroom.

I have already once climbed into the attic, disconnected the flexible hose from the underside of the vent cap, removed their nest, then reconnected the flexible hose to the vent cap.  This alleviated the problem temporarily until they rebuilt their nest.  I don't wish to keep doing the attic thing so I aim to prevent the wasps from nesting in there.

I have some metal mesh which I can cut to fit, and some Liquid Nails to hold it in.  I think this would work except I haven't worked with Liquid Nails before and doing so for the first time could get a bit messy.  Especially considering I would have to sort of put the Liquid Nails around the perimeter of the mesh then shove them up under the lip of the roof cover blindly and maybe hold it there until it sets up.

I'm not willing to do any actual roof work like cutting out the existing vent and replacing it with one that has a screen in it.  I don't yet have the DIY moxie necessary to cut a hole in my roof.

Any advice?  Comments?  Things to look out for?  Any better way to do it given my constraints of not cutting into my roof?
« Last Edit: June 04, 2019, 05:28:01 PM by secondcor521 »

lukebuz

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Re: Sealing off vent cap against wasps - questions
« Reply #1 on: June 08, 2019, 08:21:32 AM »
Stuff some steel woof in the openings.  Done.  For real. 
Alternatively, I have a large amount of decking, smack in the middle of the woods.  Lots of wasps.  I find a single "kill spray" application right when they start to nest will not only kill them, but has a residual effect, and keeps them away all year.  Repeat next year.  May for KY, June for Iowa.  Time depends on location.

secondcor521

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Re: Sealing off vent cap against wasps - questions
« Reply #2 on: June 08, 2019, 01:50:56 PM »
Excellent ideas, thanks!!