Stargazing and Mosquitoes

So, I often see posts and info on red lights and so on, but I don't
see too much about dealing with bugs and critters.

Do you put out smoke pots or incense? Maybe one of those UV bug
zappers, (although powering high voltage could be problematic.)


TBerk

TBerk wrote:
So, I often see posts and info on red lights and so on, but I don't
see too much about dealing with bugs and critters.

Do you put out smoke pots or incense? Maybe one of those UV bug
zappers, (although powering high voltage could be problematic.)


TBerk


no smoke pots, incense, or zappers around here. there's just too many
little critters for them to be effective. just put on more DEET than
your neighbor and enjoy the evening. if you use a spray, move away from
the optics. a club member wears a net suit designed to keep the
skeeters off. he claims it's effective w/o the chemicals.

Do you put out smoke pots or incense? Maybe one of those UV bug
zappers, (although powering high voltage could be problematic.)


There is a commonly held belief that DEET is damaging to optical coatings,
so I tried Picaridin (the active ingredient in Cutter Advance, for example)
and found it to be less noxious and very effective.

Dennis

TBerk wrote:
So, I often see posts and info on red lights and so on, but I don't
see too much about dealing with bugs and critters.

Do you put out smoke pots or incense? Maybe one of those UV bug
zappers, (although powering high voltage could be problematic.)


TBerk




Hi.

No, I use 100% deet when it's that bad.

Some places round here, long sleeves, long pants
and duct tape to seal the ends. (and the 100% deet)


AM

On Jul 8, 9:56*pm, TBerk wrote:

So, I often see posts and info on red lights and so on, but I don't
see too much about dealing with bugs and critters.

Do you put out smoke pots or incense? Maybe one of those UV bug
zappers, (although powering high voltage could be problematic.)

For me (and my optics!!) no smoke pots, no incense, no bug zapper, no
rub on lotions. I simply try to cover as much of myself as possible
in my efforts to minimize the occurrance of mosquito bites.

As for other critters, I once had to take time out to kill a
rattlesnake while making an observation of a shadow transit on
Jupiter. (Yea, yea. I know, you didn't think Jupiter had
rattlesnakes ;-) Seriously though, some parts of the world still have
dangerous critters. In addition to rattlesnakes (that like to hunt
for mice after sunset using their thermal sensors) bears and mountain
lions also live in my neck of the woods. I've sometimes taken a
pistol with me when I've gone to more remote locations. (Montana is
*not* the District of Columbia!!)

Bill Greer
To sketch is to see
http://cejour.blogspot.com
http://www.rangeweb.net/~sketcher

On Jul 8, 9:56*pm, TBerk wrote:
Do you put out smoke pots or incense? Maybe one of those UV bug
zappers, snip - TBerk

Because of West Nile viruses pentration to long 110 West, this has
become more of a concern. I assume that East coast observers have more
experience with this because West Nile landed on the East coast first
and has been working west. I use low-concentration DEET and then cut
that 30%-50% with water. That seems to be the minimum concentration
to keep the no-see-ums at bay. At the height of the bug season, I
also use a bug netting jacket from Campour, which I originally
purchased for hiking and camping. http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___82170
The bug jacket keeps the need to spray use the DEET chemical to a
minimum. Finally, to temporarily clear the area around the scope of
the bigger nuisance moths. I have a small battery powered paddle
zapper. http://www.firstestore.com/zap.html Don't use the paddle too
much. - Canopus56

Jax wrote:
TBerk wrote:
So, I often see posts and info on red lights and so on, but I don't
see too much about dealing with bugs and critters.

Do you put out smoke pots or incense? Maybe one of those UV bug
zappers, (although powering high voltage could be problematic.)


TBerk


no smoke pots, incense, or zappers around here. there's just too many
little critters for them to be effective. just put on more DEET than
your neighbor and enjoy the evening. if you use a spray, move away from
the optics. a club member wears a net suit designed to keep the
skeeters off. he claims it's effective w/o the chemicals.


I'm becoming more and more distrustful of manufacturers claims that
their products are not harmful to us especially over the long term.

Words of wisdom from a Deet product for example:

Harmful if swallowed
Do not use on children under 12 years of age
Seek medical attention

Being old enough to remember seeing many "Safe" products removed from
store shelves has me thinking that profits may take precedent to our
well being.

I haven't given up on the Deet products completely but I do try non
chemical alternatives such as bug clothing whenever practical.

I live in cottage country on lake front property. I walk with my dogs
for at least two hours every day. Believe me I see lots of mosquito's

I bought this hat

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page...t=2,51555&ap=2

May not look very "Cool" but it works just fine. I use it with pants and
a jacket so when the weather gets hot I am forced to hang up the hat
and smear Deet all over.

There are other similar products available that may work well in hot weather

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page...t=2,51555&ap=2

Doesn't seem to matter how much mosquito repellent I use, they still
manage to get in a few bites. I think I will be trying the jacket soon.

LdB

In article
tainaccess,
"Dennis Woos" wrote:

snip

There is a commonly held belief that DEET is damaging to optical coatings,
so I tried Picaridin (the active ingredient in Cutter Advance, for example)
and found it to be less noxious and very effective.

Smeared any on your eyepieces yet?

--
Odysseus

On Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:40:51 GMT, Odysseus
wrote:

Smeared any on your eyepieces yet?

Yes. I tried it on several coated lenses. No effect, except an oily film
that takes a bit of effort to clean off. I don't think DEET is much
danger to optical coatings. It is, however, a solvent for a number of
plastics, and that might well be a problem. But as long as you apply it
away from your equipment, I doubt very much the tiny bit on your skin
will pose much risk.
_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com

"canopus56" wrote in message ...
On Jul 8, 9:56 pm, TBerk wrote:

Because of West Nile viruses pentration to long 110 West, this has
become more of a concern. I assume that East coast observers have more
experience with this because West Nile landed on the East coast first
and has been working west.

I worry a lot more about EEE (eastern equine encephalitis than about
WNV. I wear sweats with long sleaves and spray on DEET.
--

Rick Evans
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Lon -71° 04' 35"
Lat +42° 11' 07"