How to stop bees/wasps/hornets from entering PTZ cams?

[Slate2000]

I'm having a problem with two of my PTZ cams. I have seen a bee/hornet/wasp entering two of my cams. I'm afraid to spray the cams as that might damage them. Any ideas how I can safely remove them/keep them out?

Thanks

 

[sebastiantombs]

I'd say a good, kill on contact, wasp/hornet/bee spray is safe to use. Try to stay away from the lens, over spray, but even that should be fine after you clean it with a regular window cleaner and soft cloth.

 

[Slate2000]

I'd say a good, kill on contact, wasp/hornet/bee spray is safe to use. Try to stay away from the lens, over spray, but even that should be fine after you clean it with a regular window cleaner and soft cloth.

Thanks. I also thought about "painting" on some spray too. Don't think it will last though

 

[sebastiantombs]

No it won't. I had a problem with a turret camera and wasps. I ended up plugging every possible entry point with Duct Seal. Unfortunately, that won't work for a PTZ since it moves.

 

[Old Timer]

I have a "cup" that is just the right size to place over the lens while I spray it.
I have found hot shot works on both spiders and wasps

 

[David L]

Wonder if any of these work?

Amazon.com : wasp trap

 

[SJGUSMC21]

Wonder if any of these work?

Amazon.com : wasp trap

IDK, but I think they are worth a try. I HATE Yellow Jackets. Just tiny ass versions of evil. Wasps....at least where i live....pretty much leave you alone. But Yellow Jackets, just winged evil.

 

[David L]

IDK, but I think they are worth a try. I HATE Yellow Jackets. Just tiny ass versions of evil. Wasps....at least where i live....pretty much leave you alone. But Yellow Jackets, just winged evil.

So true, they chase you all over the yard, LOL but Wasp seem to hurt more when stung. Every year I deal with them in our outdoor Umbrellas.

Last year one got me on my upper cheek, the whole left side of my face went numb, LOL

 

[SJGUSMC21]

So true, they chase you all over the yard, LOL but Wasp seem to hurt more when stung. Every year I deal with them in our outdoor Umbrellas.

Last year one got me on my upper cheek, the whole left side of my face went numb, LOL

This is correct. Yellow Jackets just string the crap out of you...it hurts, but not like a Wasp. I have had a wasp 'fall' on me and sting me...seriously fing hurt, but it did not attack me. Freak'n yellow jackets...just little winged can's of whoop ass chasing the old fat man around the yard!

 

[Slate2000]

@SJGUSMC21 That is the best quote ever!

 

[looney2ns]

IDK, but I think they are worth a try. I HATE Yellow Jackets. Just tiny ass versions of evil. Wasps....at least where i live....pretty much leave you alone. But Yellow Jackets, just winged evil.

Yes, they work. But not typically a "quick" solution.

 

[mattp]

You could put some of this stuff (diluted correctly obviously) on a rag and rub it on the camera housing:

How long is the outdoor residual for Onslaught FastCap Spider and Scorpion Insecticide?

How long is the outdoor residual for Onslaught FastCap Spider and Scorpion Insecticide?

www.domyown.com

It says to reapply indoor crack and crevice every 90 days. So, maybe if you work some into the "guts" of the PTZ, it could kill those wasps for maybe that long. Good news is that it also works on spiders, which if you have the IRs enabled may also be a problem.

I'm not 100% sure what breaks down the chemical, but I believe it's UV. So, if your camera is under an eave and not exposed to sunlight, it may last longer than 30 days on the camera surface areas.

 

[VorlonFrog]

Take a few cotton balls, and soak them in bifenthrin (Talstar) concentrate.
Tuck them behind the camera wherever possible and they'll keep most insects away for a few months.

 

[Slate2000]

I'm working on my AR-BEE rifle. It gets rid of the bees but the cams too. Needs some tweaking I think.

 

[David L]

I'm working on my AR-BEE rifle. It gets rid of the bees but the cams too. Needs some tweaking I think.

View attachment 133068

I got this for Christmas a few years back

Bug-A-Salt

Insect hunting as sport has entered the 21st Century with Bug-A-Salt. Our insect eradication devices fire ordinary table salt to kill pesky flies. We ship to all 50 states. Fast Shipping. Fire your flyswatter!

www.bugasalt.com

 

[PatPend]

Sprinkle a little Delta Dust on the cam, they won't be back.

 

[tmxv4128]

I was looking for an alternative to the wasp spray that has harsh chemicals and found this on clearance at a home supply store. The only ingredient is lemongrass oil. Figured it wouldn't work, but for $3 it was worth a try. I used it and was amazed! Way better than anything I had used before, and I even liked the smell; but not by the wasps that were killed on contact. Went back to the store and bought 9 more cans and have been using my supply for years.

 

[Mike A.]

I got this for Christmas a few years back

I got one of those too but was disappointed with it. Thought that it would be good sport with the carpenter bees that try to eat my house every year. Even with the higher power outdoor version or whatever it is still not enough power/range to do much. You can take out a fly if close that's about it. Rat shot works well but not really a suburban neighborhood friendly approach. ; )

 

[mattp]

I was looking for an alternative to the wasp spray that has harsh chemicals and found this on clearance at a home supply store. The only ingredient is lemongrass oil. Figured it wouldn't work, but for $3 it was worth a try. I used it and was amazed! Way better than anything I had used before, and I even liked the smell; but not by the wasps that were killed on contact. Went back to the store and bought 9 more cans and have been using my supply for years.

Interesting choice... I have 2 concerns:
1. Lemongrass oil is an essential oil. It may etch the lense.
2. Lemongrass oil is an amazing bee attractant. We're at about the end of swarm season, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a swarm of bees on a camera after spraying it. I spilled some Lemongrass oil on a shelf on the back porch and had a bunch of bees settle there...No queen, but I guess it was part of a swarm that got confused and settled there.
Edit to add: beekeeping supply stores even sell lemongrass oil for attracting bees:

Lemongrass Swarm Lure

Lemongrass essential oil is a surprisingly good swarm lure and has been used successfully for years by beekeepers to attract swarms looking for a new home. The smell of the lemongrass oil mimics the smell of scout bees scenting the location of a new home and helps to draw in more scouts. A...

www.foxhoundbeecompany.com

Though, you get better prices elsewhere. So, it's not just my anecdotal example. It's established that it mimics a bee pheromone.

 

[Holbs]

They sell these cheap paper machete wasp look-a-like nests for $3 at places. For me, they actually worked. Apparently, when wasps see a nest that is not theirs, they go to your neighbors house