Window screens

**Tweety** · 09-23-2007, 05:16 PM

I know Frank mentioned to us at the M&G that bugs could find their way into the QUE by way of the sides of the screens. Oh My is he right !!! We had a stink bug infestation this weekend. They crawl right across the screen and in via the sides. What a pain. Has anyone found a solution to this problem?

GrayGoose · 09-23-2007, 07:45 PM

Your timing is great with this question. Sitting in the driveway we noticed that small gap in the screen and wondered about bugs. I hope you find some suggestions.

Also about the screens, is there much airflow when the screens are down?
I am just curious as I've not spent any time in the unit yet.

**Tweety** · 09-24-2007, 07:02 AM

Airflow is fine with the screens down, they don't really block any air at all. However, if the door is open it blocks the one window. Personally I think that window should be flipped so that the left side opens. (but then it wouldn't be under the awning) I LOVE the insulating privacy screens. The backing is reflective silver, so that if the sun is beating in a window you can pull up the screen and it makes a tremendous difference in keeping heat out. In the winter they are also amazing at keeping cold out. Frank & Sharon spent 6 weeks in their QUE this spring. Hopefully they were annoyed enough with the bugs to come up with a solution

GrayGoose · 09-24-2007, 05:58 PM

I hadn't noticed the back of the shades until you mentioned it. Gotta love those tinted windows!

As far as the bugs, do you think that cotton rope (that they use when giving perms) could be helpful. It would be soft enough not to damage the shades and could block the bugs. Don't have any around to try but I did see that 40 feet of the stuff only costs $4 at a supply store online.

**Tweety** · 09-25-2007, 12:22 PM

I think you could stuff the cotton perm stuff along both sides of the screen, BUT you'd have to do that every time you open the window which would be a real pain. We switch from the screen to the shade for showers, changing clothes, at night...well you get the picture. We'd be pulling it out and putting it in multiple times a day. If you're willing to do that it looks like it would work.

**Tweety** · 09-27-2007, 07:39 AM

I performed an experiment yesterday. I stuffed rolled up paper towels into the sides of the window screens on 1 window and left the window open all day. The rest of the QUE was shut tight. At the end of the day there was only 1 stink bug in the QUE and it was on a different window. My thought is that 1 stink bug came in one of the vent holes that are around the window to prevent condensation, and not through the paper towels, since the bugs tend to stay on the window where they've entered. The day before I had all the QUE windows open for only a couple of hours, with no paper towels, and I had 8 that came in. So, my conclusion (although not statistically valid I'm sure) is that the paper towels helped. One of my missions today is to go to Lowes and look for something to place in that space that will allow the screens to be opened and closed without removing whatever it is. I'm thinking some sort of 3/8" pliable but stiff but slippery tubing might work, but am open to suggestions. Foam would work for sure, but have to be removed to open and close screens.

GrayGoose · 09-27-2007, 08:31 AM

Removing something solid, like your tube idea, might not be that annoying except if you only wanted to put the shade down partially?
I've been getting No-see-ums in the camper in the evening.
I look forward to what you find on you expedition to Lowe's.

**Tweety** · 09-27-2007, 10:34 AM

It has to be something removeable because of the way the bottom piece slides along the track. Not realizing that I bought weather stripping, thinking I could stick it on. The plumbing department has nice clear pliable tubing in bunches of sizes. Now I think I should have gotten that, since it will be easier to remove and more durable. The size I think I need is .20 per foot and we need 11 feet

Gotta love it!

**PTHutch** · 09-27-2007, 02:34 PM

Pam,

I would be interested in seeing some pictures of the problem and your fix.

Hutch

nasa42a · 09-28-2007, 06:35 AM

Folks....

Sharon and I are also interested in your potential solutions. On our western trip, we really only had major bug invasion problems one night.... @ the campground on the Snake River. Since then, the no-see-um numbers have been controllable by occasional use of the dustbuster.

We did try spraying the edge of the screen with "Off" bug repelling spray. While it works (for a while) it also leaves a film on nearby surfaces that has to be subsequently removed.

Frank

**Tweety** · 09-28-2007, 11:59 AM

I can't get a pic because of the configuration. The edge of the screen is back behind a plastic casing. The plastic casing isn't tight, but is an inch out from the window, so is more decorative than functional, so it's irrelevant to the problem. To imagine the screen picture an old fashioned roller shade that your Grandmother used to pull down for privacy. Now, make that shade out of screen with a clip at the bottom to hold it in place. The side edges are open just like Granny's shade, so the bugs land on the shade and crawl to the side edge and into the QUE. Because there is this casing it does provide the opportunity to stuff something in there between the casing and the screen. I was looking at the different windows this morning though, and the openings along the sides of the screens are all different - the smallest being 1/16 inch and the largest 3/4". Since tubing is round that isn't going to work. I don't want to stretch the screen by going with 3/4". I'm going to try 3/8" x 3/4" weather stripping because the screens are set consistently 3/8" back from the casing. (not sticking it on-just laying it in) Here's a picture of the casing and window even though I can't get the problem area.

Here's one with the screen clipped in place

dennisb · 05-27-2009, 01:47 PM

Has anyone figured out how to take the plastic window casings off of the Que windows? I have one curtain that does not "behave" in that it does not want to accordian when using the screen or just letting light in. It just wants to pooch out of the frame. I would like to take it apart to "re-train" the covering.

Dennis

nasa42a · 05-27-2009, 05:03 PM

Dennis.......

==> If I remember correctly (we haven't had the Que since last September), the corners of the plastic molding pop out....and the attachment screws are under there.

==> As we noted in the 9/07 post, we really couldn't find a total solution to bugs coming in at the sides of the screen. Everything we did try still resulted in the need for the dustbuster.
I'm afraid the "best" solution to a buggy area with the Que's standard equipment isn't one most of us would appreciate.....leave the windows closed and use the air conditioner!

Frank