Spider webs on CCTV cams grrrrrr!

Kleeneze do a spider repellent based on Horse Chestnut extract, but I can't vouch for it's efficacy.

I had always thought this to be an old wives tale until my wife started placing conkers around the place about five years ago, supposedly to deter spiders. I can say without doubt that it works but the conkers have to be renewed annually. I don't have any scientific info on why it works or why we are both arachnophobes. OTOH I suppose a bunch of conkers hanging around a cctv camera.........would look daft but could be worth trying. HTH

From googling "cctv spider".

I spray all around the camera with a surface flyspray that lasts a few weeks. I wish the lights were separate from the cameras. Then the camera could be low and unseen by vandals, and the spiders could put their webs over the lights if they want.

Why are the lights a dull red glow anyway? I have cheap cameras with invisible lights. Why are they not all like that?

The RSC did their bit to try to find a scientific answer without coming up with a firm conclusion. See

It's down to the different wavelength of the IR LEDs used and the decreased sensitivity of the human eye to those at the higher end of the IR spectrum. Wavelengths around 880nm exhibit the dull red glow whereas those towards 940nm however do cost slightly more.

Mathew

A slight correction: the visible LEDs are perhaps even lower at ~840nm and, thinking about it, they are perhaps used also to match the IR sensitivity of the camera being used.

Mathew

I'd guess that the light attracts insects, which attract spiders. Maybe try fly paper.

Visited a French chateau years ago and the tour included a visit to the roof space. The guide stated the roof timbers were all made form chestnut to keep spiders etc away. There was certainly a noticeable absence of webs etc.

Insetcs really hate strong smells. Any of numerous strong smelling oils can evaporate slowly enough to last ages. Paraffin is one fo teh cheapest.

NT

Using cheaper but visible LEDs simply means that the cameras cannot be put in the best place or they will be vandalised. I removed the IR filter from a camera but that altered the focus beyond any possible adjustment.

That sounds very sensible.Will try that. Thanks.

Yes it's a zombie post from four years ago, but if someone's interested

Hmm, well I think my spiders are falling down on the job here, they obviously do not eat the insects that haved turned my ankles into the biggest itch I've ever known.

Brian

That what I thought until I twigged that the combination of amlodipine + Cheese was in fact the culprit.

Either on their own, no rash, both together, massive bleeding scabby itches.

Was replaying a video of one making a web at night across my camera. One slightly interesting thing - when it comes to making the fine spiral part, the web does not show up under infrared instantly - it takes about 30-90 seconds for the strand to become fully visible after the spider has put it in position and moved further on.

Hahahaha thats the funnyest this ive heared in a long time...........Most w eb spinning spiders are blind,Bugs etc are attreacted to IR ,so spiders lea rn it as a food source..Oh and just to let you know ,Arachnology is my Job.

And being obnoxious is your hobby?

Bill

This thread has been going since 2011, but it does seem to be a very popular problem. all cameras should be fitted with an air blast device to clear the spider webs away. Brian