Dirt Dobbers

[Thad]

How do you get rid of dirt dobber nests when softwashing?

 

[David O'Connell Jr]

My guess it to change the tip to a zero

 

[taselton2]

That is a great and common question, we saturate in soaping stage, then straight stream if possible. We ladder when necessary and use a brush to get stubborn ones completely clean, our customers love that part it's like home detailing. We also get the bigger wasp nest trunks down the same way, we leave nothing behind. We can knock 2nd story wasps nest down no problem, soaking them good in the soaping stage is the key. This is where many (not everyone) slip and use to much pressure and cause damage. It only takes a few extra minutes and our customers are willing to pay for the extra effort.

 

[taselton2]

My guess it to change the tip to a zero

We use garden hose nozzles to apply and rinse, it's that simple. This process is much safer on surfaces and a lot less fatiguing.

 

[David O'Connell Jr]

I meant the tip on the gun or wand. But I guess that adjusting the stream on the nozzle is the same thing in this case.

 

[taselton2]

I meant the tip on the gun or wand. But I guess that adjusting the stream on the nozzle is the same thing in this case.

Exactly, some use pressure washers and guns and tips. What we call softwashing is a whole different process and the equipment is custom made just for it. Again, this is not to say that using a pressure washer to softwash is not possible, we just use different equipment.

 

[Thad]

I was referring to the 'true' softwash process- electric pumps and garden hose nozzles.

I use "soap tip" pressure to wash and rinse with a pw but those two or three year old mud nests are killer to get off of stucco or dryvit.
I knock them off with a pole first if possible then soak, soak, soak and rinse, rinse, rinse. Sometimes I have to step up to a 'rinse' sip to move anything.

A lot of times there is still a red or brown stain in the dryvit that won't come off even with brushing.


I'm not sure what that was in your pic, Tim.
I was referring to these:

http://www.hiltonpond.org/images/MudDauberNest02.jpg

 

[DustinC]

Dear Thad,

I deal with alot of dirt dauber nests.I originally bought this truck stack brush from espec for gutters but the bristles were way to stiff.So I modified(cut the ends off with a dull saw)it for scrubbing dd nests.The angle of the brush head makes it good for getting in all those window frame corners(etc)they like to get in.The small brush face(??)makes it easier to apply pressure to scrub small areas.I bust them up with the handle end, apply,dwell,scrub.I use it all the time. If you really want to get rid of the stain left behind I'm willing to bet a dab of safe restore would do the trick.

Sincerely,
Dustin Cook

 

[taselton2]

I was referring to the 'true' softwash process- electric pumps and garden hose nozzles.

I use "soap tip" pressure to wash and rinse with a pw but those two or three year old mud nests are killer to get off of stucco or dryvit.
I knock them off with a pole first if possible then soak, soak, soak and rinse, rinse, rinse. Sometimes I have to step up to a 'rinse' sip to move anything.

A lot of times there is still a red or brown stain in the dryvit that won't come off even with brushing.


I'm not sure what that was in your pic, Tim.
I was referring to these:

http://www.hiltonpond.org/images/MudDauberNest02.jpg

The picture was mainly of some cob webs and things. I know exactly what you are talking about. We clean the bad ones by hand with a brush, when necessary. Dustin has a great custom brush system for dobbers, the safe restore he mentioned and other acid based chems in a spray bottle do a good job on the clay stains left behind. Be sure to wet everything down though.

 

[MIKE FP]

How do you get rid of dirt dobber nests when softwashing?

what is a dobber? im guessing if i dont know there aren't any around here.

 

[taselton2]

A "dirt dobber" is a wasp like insect that builds nests out of dirt & clay on surfaces to store food (other insects).

 

[Russ Spence]

I like them because their diet consist of mainly spiders , no offense but I dont think they have dirt dobbers in New York

 

[taselton2]

I feel ya, love snakes, hate spiders!

 

[Thad]

Dear Dustin Cook,

Thank you for your kind and helpful post.
I appreciate you making the time to take pictures of your custom dirt dauber-removal system. It made my day. I use a similar method and am happy to see that I have not been unnecessarily doing things the hard way.
I was hoping for a 'magic bullet' but I guess 'elbow grease' is still the answer.

I'll try some Safe Restore for the discoloration.

I love you.

Sincerely,
Thad

 

[Christopher]

Excellent work on that one Tim! Very impressive, no stain left behind.


Good idea Dustin!

 

[DustinC]

Dear Dustin Cook,

Thank you for your kind and helpful post.
I appreciate you making the time to take pictures of your custom dirt dauber-removal system. It made my day. I use a similar method and am happy to see that I have not been unnecessarily doing things the hard way.
I was hoping for a 'magic bullet' but I guess 'elbow grease' is still the answer.

I'll try some Safe Restore for the discoloration.

I love you.

Sincerely,
Thad

You probably say that to all the girls. lol

 

[Russ Spence]

I am soooo confused

 

[Thad]

A brief synopsis

I am soooo confused

You see, dirt daubers are wasps, but not the kind that sting you.

They build mud nests attached to people's houses that can be aggravating to get off without busting out the zero tip and carving them out of the dryvit.

Tim, Dustin, and I don't like to use a lot of pressure so we manually remove the bulk of the nest and then soak and scrub off the remainder.

I didn't know that Safe Restore would get off that last little discoloration from an old nest but now I do. I appreciate the tip.

Hope that helps!



BTW, I got my feelings all hurt when you didn't answer my PM.
I thought it was hilarious!

 

[MIKE FP]

I like them because their diet consist of mainly spiders , no offense but I dont think they have dirt dobbers in New York

ya i don't think i have ever seen any around here, from listening to some of the ways to remove them i guess thats a good thing.

 

[mario]

ok now that i know what dirt dobblers are, what the heck is artillary fungus. are those them little black dots ive been picking off with my finer nail?