Spiders & other insects

[gregmac]

I have a bullet camera (color/b&w IR) mounted on the corner of our building, just below the soffit. There's a big field and some woods beind us, which means we get lots of bugs. There's quite a few spiders that build webs in there. Unfortunately, I can't find any pictures right now, but there was one that was building a web DIRECTLY in front of the camera almost every night, and pretty much totally blocking the view. (The IR was reflecting off the web, so it showed up as a lot of bright white lines. The spider itself would also show up as a bright white blob).

I have also had problems with a (or multiple?) hornet that sits on the lens and spins in circles.. I saw it about a week ago (I've been on vacation until today) and it was back just now, so I killed it. I don't know if it was the same hornet or what, since it hasn't built a nest or anything, but it was doing the exact same thing today it was doing then. Maybe it likes the heat from the IR LEDs? There's an identical camera on a post on the other side of the lot, and I haven't had any problems with that one.




Anyways, does anyone else have problems like this? What have you done to combat insect problems? It would really be a pain to move this camera, since 1) it's in a nice spot, shielded from the elements, 2) it has a good view of the parking lot, and 3) there's just not many other places to put it, short of putting up a pole or something.

[jameswilson]

This is something i have a problem with too, we have been fitting ir cameras for years but i fitted my first combined camera and emmiter on my own house. As this is a problem athat only affects me and not the other cameras we fit i did a little investigation and its the ir the bugs like. The only solution i can come up with is to split the emmiter and the camera. If you can come up wityh another ill be impressed

James

[zherebet]

Try putting one of those high pitch devices that send out a signal that humans cannot hear but bugs/spiders hate. That should keep them away from the cameras.

[gregmac]

So far all I can find about those devices is that they're a scam and don't actually work Do you actually have any good experience with them?

There are spider repellant sprays and stuff, but they seem more short-term and for indoor use.. I'm trying to stop them from building webs just in a small outdoor area in front of the camera.

I'm also not sure that it's just the IR -- I just saw a hornet doing his thing in the middle of the day (3pm): movie (2838KB), and one was there earlier this morning too.

[cordel]

I have one camera that I don't have to many problems with and it's a pinhole lens. So it is flush with the exterior of the house. The lights for the area are located 4 meters away from the camera but they are not IR.
Regards,
Cordel

[zoneminder]

That hornet is a nasty looking insect! I don't have too much bother other than with spiders, but I try and keep the area in front of the cameras clear so they don't feel they have to hang out by it.

As far as wasps etc go I would think it has to be one of (a) heat, (b) light or (c) soem chemical in/on your camera that is attracting them. I just don't know which it might be!

Phil

[Geo99M6Z]

Does the camera have IR LEDs?

If so, insects are very attracted to IR. I have the same problem in the summer time. Moths are more prone if there is another light source around, they will be attracted to the IR light.

[zoneminder]

Unfortunately I've (accidentally) deleted them but I had some great shots of a magpie flying up to one of my cameras and giving it a rather prolonged inspection!

Phil