Prevent spider's webs covering infra-red cameras
Prevent spider's webs covering infra-red cameras
Camera webs forming over night vision security cameras are a real pain, especially in the winter. If the camera is in an awkward position, even removing the webs can be difficult. After trying many way to stop spiders building webs over the camera lens, I hit up simple solution!
The spider and the fly
The reason webs form over infrared cameras is because the night vision leds in the cameras attract insects, these are a tasty meal for spiders so they build webs around the (infra-red) light source. Remove the light source and the insects go away, with no insects around a spider has no interest in building a web to catch them.
Paint over the night vision led lights
Using a water based paint so it can be removed with relative ease, paint over the ring of infra-red leds being very careful to to get paint on the lens.
You may need to keep the day / night sensor clear of paint or the camera may stay permanently in night-time mode.
Won't work if your cameras are in complete darkness
In my situation, the cameras are situated in positions where there is enough ambient light at night for them to work without the nightvision leds. If your cameras are in complete darkness painting over the camera lights will stop the camera from working at night unless you provide an alternative light source.
A solution for the technically brave!
If you have an HIKVision bullet camera you can disconnect the infrared led ring by unplugging it from within the camera (pictured).
The camera can be dismantled using a watchmakers' screwdriver and undoing the 3 retaining screws from the rear of the camera. A tip for easy reassembly is to ensure the rubber gasket is over all 3 screws before reassembling.