[RE-wrenches] Wasps

Mon May 6 16:21:17 PDT 2013

I'd be weary of using Dawn detergent on PV modules because it has petroleum distillates in it. That's why it's so effective at stripping oil off of bird feathers after an oil spill.

Safer brand insecticidal soap will kill wasps, and it's non-toxic and petroleum-free.

I deal with wasps nesting in my ground mount with just a high-pressure sprayer on a garden hose. I have to go out there a few times in the spring to knock down the nests, but the wasps eventually get the idea that they aren't wanted. Two years ago I had a nest of white-faced hornets build one of their marvelous cone-shaped nests on the back of the array, and it was pretty large by the time I saw it, so I left them alone. I like hornets because they kill and eat yellow jackets, and if you don't bother them, they won't bother you, unlike yellow jackets.

Brian Teitelbaum
AEE Solar

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Roy Butler
Sent: Monday, May 06, 2013 3:47 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Wasps

Chris is absolutely right, dish detergent really does work. And Dawn is about the best brand to use.

Roy Butler

NABCEP Certified Small Wind Installer(r)

NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer(r)

NYSERDA eligible PV & wind installer

Four Winds Renewable Energy, LLC

8902 Route 46, Arkport, NY 14807

607-324-9747  www.four-winds-energy.com<http://www.four-winds-energy.com>

Join us at the 9th Annual Small Wind Conference

A Gathering of Installers, Manufacturers, Dealers, & Distributors

June 18 and 19, 2013 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin

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Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message,

a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

On 5/6/2013 6:07 PM, Chris Mason wrote:
I have had good success with soapy water - mix dish detergent with water and spray it on, won't hurt your modules.

On Mon, May 6, 2013 at 4:32 PM, Dana Brandt <dana at ecotechenergy.com<mailto:dana at ecotechenergy.com>> wrote:
Thanks for the input everyone. She's pretty set on getting rid of them. I'll recommend hosing them down with water at night. I think she's going to want to go chemical, though. I'd love to hear anyone's experience with sprays damaging the backsheet or not.

Thanks,

Dana

Dana Brandt
Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC
www.ecotechenergy.com<http://www.ecotechenergy.com>
dana at ecotechenergy.com<mailto:dana at ecotechenergy.com>
360.318.7646<tel:360.318.7646>

On Thu, May 2, 2013 at 11:13 AM, Dana Brandt <dana at ecotechenergy.com<mailto:dana at ecotechenergy.com>> wrote:
Hi Wrenches,
I have a client who has developed quite a problem with wasps behind her array. Does anyone have experience getting rid of them? I'm afraid of the possibility of sprays damaging the backsheet. Is that a legitimate concern?

Thanks,

Dana

Dana Brandt
Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC
www.ecotechenergy.com<http://www.ecotechenergy.com>
dana at ecotechenergy.com<mailto:dana at ecotechenergy.com>
360.318.7646<tel:360.318.7646>

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