Alert Security Systems

[SteveGB]

Has anyone developed a defense against spiders flocking to the exterior cameras?   I now have too many unusable recordings due to webs floating across the field or spiders climbing up and down.  I have a duster mounted on a long pole to clean off webs before going to bed, but the are back soon thereafter the clean up.  I have also tried spraying insect repellent around the cameras with no success.  Any help will be appreciated.

Thank you

[toppro]

Unfortunately this problem won't be going away - spiders and webs, moths and even birds all have their own agenda and we are not a consideration.   I did the same thing, mounted a swiffer on a long pole and use it regularly - typically the rain takes care of much of this but even if you put the camera in a housing, they will still congregate to the light source (IR can be seen by them as well)   

[uptown]

Some bugs don't like fabric softener.  You could try putting a dryer sheet near/on your camera.

[SteveGB]

Uptown,

Thanks.  I'll try the dryer sheets.  Let you know how it works.

[dirkdaring]

I read on another site about this problem. Spiders and other bugs see the IR and are attractied to it (plus its heat). Buy a separate IR illuminator and mount it near the camera, then turn off the IR on your camera.

[BlackHawk1776]

Has anyone seen or used an IR Illuminator they would actually recommend?  A while back I looked at Amazon's offerings and the results weren't stellar - none of the models I looked at came away as a clear winner, every one of them had a couple of pretty bad reviews that had very relevant and real information.  I'd resolved to not buy anything yet, but I think one or more of my cameras would definately benefit from the IR (not due to spiders, thankfully.)

As for the spiders, like everyone else I have a 20' pole with a duster on the end, luckily I don't get them nearly as much as some of you so I must be fortunate in that.  It sounds like alternative IR illumination would be the best way to keep them from nesting directly in front of your cameras.

the dryer sheets sound like an interesting idea and a very cheap solution if it works.  Though if your camera is 20' off the ground getting on a ladder periodically to change dryer sheets would be less than ideal, but better than the alternative.

[Bertsirkin]

Spoiler

See my previous post: http://forums.logitech.com/t5/Alert-Security-Systems/Auxiliary-IR-Light-Source-for-the-700e/m-p/5581...

bert

[Jellen]

There is also another problem.

When you turn Night vision off (= ir off) on your camera, it also won't lift the IR filter in front of the lens, (the clicking sound you hear when switching from day to night, ..) when it get's dark. So your external IR light won't be that useful.

Kind regards

Jellen