[Greenbuilding] bugs behind b & b

[Benjamin Pratt]

What is you nexpensive, non-conventional water-proof radiant barrier? Just
curious.Ben

On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 8:16 PM, Stephen Collette <
stephen at yourhealthyhouse.ca> wrote:

> Mike,
>
> There should be some drainage plane at the bottom of your b&b, where
> there should be an air gap. That should have a mesh of some sorts to
> keep them critters at bay. If you have venting at the top of said b &
> b, also meshed venting.
>
> If the bugs are getting inside, then there is an installation issue
> with respect to the windows, doors and SIPS not being air sealed
> properly.
>
> However if they are all off gassing methane, maybe you could harness
> them to power your house! ;-)
>
> Stephen
>
> Stephen Collette BBEC, LEED AP
> Principal
> Your Healthy House - Indoor Environmental Testing & Building Consulting
> www.yourhealthyhouse.ca
> stephen at yourhealthyhouse.ca
> 705.652.5159
>
> >
> > From: "Mike Forbes" <biodieselmike at gmail.com>
> > Subject: [Greenbuilding] rain screen siding and bugs
> > To:
> > Hi all,
> > just wondering if anyone has had this experience and what the general
> > thoughts are....
> >
> > what i have (inside to out):
> > SIP walls
> > inexpensive, non-conventional water-proof radiant barrier.
> > 1/4" furring strips stapled horizontally
> > 1x8 - 1x14" rough sawn blue pine boards with 2-1/4" battens
> > no finish on the boards
> >
> > my issue:
> > ever since we've moved into the house we have an excess of bugs,
> > primarily
> > box elder bugs and shield bugs.  Occasionally we have a paper wasp
> > as well.
> > They aren't a real structural or safety concern just a nuisance...
> > The
> > other day I pulled a batten off and noticed that my rainscreen gap
> > behind
> > the siding is pretty much a miniature bug habitat.  I know this is a
> > recommended way of installing siding but never thought about the bug
> > habitat
> > issue.
> >
> > Anyone have any experience with this and any grand ideas of making
> > it not so
> > appealing to the bugs?  Sealing it would be very impractical if not
> > impossible.....
> >
> > thanks so much,
> > mike
>
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-- 
Ben Pratt
Professor, Design