Dirt & Bees

I spent a few hours today washing the interior walls. I hadn't really considered this (obvious) step, since so much is in disrepair. However, the first large wall panel (called a "skin") that I took off first is stored in my garage. It is starting to make my garage smell bad. Since these skins are going to be stored there for a while, they all needed cleaning. I figured it was easier to clean them now, while they are attached to the wall and I don't care about soaking the floor.


As I cleaned, I was amazed at the level of grime that came away with just a bucket of Simple Green and water. I took some photos where you can see the line of clean vs. not clean.

Behind the arrow (and me) in the wall is a bees' nest. I don't know it yet.

On to the bees. Wasps, actually. After washing the walls, I went back to drilling out rivets and removing the now-clean skins.  I worked for over an hour in the very front section of the Airstream, removing three lower skins.  In the image next to this paragraph, I am crouching next to the Wasps' nest as I drill out the rivets of the next skin. I didn't realize it and they mostly ignored me. Ok, one gave a half-hearted attempt to sting my sock, but I just flicked it away and that was it. I still did not realize my peril.

After all my work was done, I walked around picking up my tools.  I knelt at this exact spot, looking at the rotted floor and hoping that the steel frame is sound underneath.  I'm not sure if it was motion or buzzing that caught my attention, but I Iooked up and realized my face was less than 6" from the nest.  They were not as happy this time.  

I set land-speed records for exiting a trailer while flailing and cursing. Sorry neighbors. But, not one of those little buggers got me, despite buzzing out the door behind me. The profanity might have saved me.  

The time-lapse camera took the picture of me getting revenge for the fright.  I keep a can of wasp spray in my garage.  

I was much sadder to find that a colony of bumble bees had also set up shop in a different part of the airstream.  I sprayed the opening, but not the nest yet, in hopes they will be irritated enough to leave, so I don't need to kill them. They are real bees and the country has a bee shortage.  Wasps can die, though.

All in all, a productive day. And I didn't even get stung. Tomorrow I'll finish removing the skin from the front section.