I have tried everything to stop the spider webs without turning off the IR lights or nighttime alerts.
Switching to turret cameras helps a little, but the spiders will still use the camera housing to form their webs across the lens and IR light.
I have tried a peppermint oil/water/soap solution, which is somewhat effective until it rains.
I have tried the Ortho Home Defense bug spray. It works for about a week, but they always come back.
The same for canned bug sprays specifically targeted for spiders.
Even if it kills them, they will still try to get that web up across the IR light. It's that web strand moving in the wind that sets off the alerts.
The only thing that works long term is a strong smelling petroleum jelly such as Vicks Vaporub placed around the camera housing.
However, it is very messy and it will dry out after a few months.
You will have to go back up to the camera and clean the old stuff off before you put on new jelly.
You will invariably throw the camera out of visual alignment when you clean it, so I have avoided the jelly this year.
Switching to turret cameras helps a little, but the spiders will still use the camera housing to form their webs across the lens and IR light.
I have tried a peppermint oil/water/soap solution, which is somewhat effective until it rains.
I have tried the Ortho Home Defense bug spray. It works for about a week, but they always come back.
The same for canned bug sprays specifically targeted for spiders.
Even if it kills them, they will still try to get that web up across the IR light. It's that web strand moving in the wind that sets off the alerts.
The only thing that works long term is a strong smelling petroleum jelly such as Vicks Vaporub placed around the camera housing.
However, it is very messy and it will dry out after a few months.
You will have to go back up to the camera and clean the old stuff off before you put on new jelly.
You will invariably throw the camera out of visual alignment when you clean it, so I have avoided the jelly this year.