Roofs: cinching rope and wasps.

[Wintergreen282]

My yurt is about 5 years old. Last week the rope that raises and lowers the "wall window" broke. It would be an easy fix if not for the wasps living under the roof. Two questions. Any thoughts on keeping the wasps out.

And - should I be concerned the outside rope cinching the roof to the wall may also need replacing before a gust of wind pops it off?

Guess I could tug on it and see. (When it is good weather and I have time to run to the hardware store and replace it if need be.)

[Bob Rowlands]

If the upper rope cinching the roof cover to the wall cover is the structural tension band, and in poor condition, yes I would replace it asap. Mongolians don't use cable atop the wall like we generally do here in the U.S., and they have had yurts forever. Add the new rope and snug it down tight before removing the old one.

As for wasps, I can't give good advice on that. When I see a new wasp nest on our house, I wash it off with the hose, and then with soapy water and a sponge. If they come back to the same spot, repeat as necessary until they quit attempting the new nest. That's all I got on that. Good luck.

[Jafo]

I wait till winter then knock out any nests I find.

[Wintergreen282]

Hi Bob. Not sure if this rope is "structural". I have a 24' WMY yurt with a typical metal band around the inside. Seems more like it just cinches the roof like a draw string. It doesn't have the zig zag second row half way up the rafters between the wall and

dome

. Have considered add that.

Yes Jafo. I also wait for colder weather before taking on the wasps. Lol. Could be a while, though, and miss the light from my big window. Will adjust. It's all closed up in the winter anyway.

[Bob Rowlands]

OK. Sounds like it isn't a structural rope, so no worries.

[hierony]

An upside-down can of air would bring 'winter' on rather fast for those wasps.

[Bob Rowlands]

Broom off the nest for a cardio workout. heh heh

[Marshall Eppley]

I used to battle bees and my wife would watch out the window and laugh at me lol

[Wintergreen282]

If you lived closer, I'd hire you.

[Jafo]

If you have cool mornings, just plan on replacing at first light. They are really dopey in the morning and chances are, you will be able to put in a new line before they get nasty. I would loop in a new one AROUND the old one first, then remove the old and cinch the new. I have the same cord on my Pacific Yurt.

My only concern would be that you may cinch the new line so tight that the wasps become trapped. Their only escape may be inside the yurt.