Rx: for spider invasions of your weather instruments.

[elagache]

Dear WeatherCat station caregivers,

Here in California it is another hot dry summer.  Starting in June or so, spiders decided that my anemometer was the perfect place to assemble their insect trap.  However, this time I was rather fed up and did some research on the web.  I was reminded that spiders are repelled by of all things various flavors of mint.

Here is website that I referred to:

https://www.greenpestsolutions.com/blog/does-peppermint-oil-drive-out-spiders

Yesterday morning there was absolutely no wind recorded by WeatherCat.  It turned out to be the usual culprit:



I had created my concoction and put it in a hand-pump sprayer.  I proceeded to liberally spray the instrument.  This morning the critter(s) was back, so I repeated the procedure.  However, given that I had about 2 months of relief, I am hopeful this will be the last time I need to do this before the cooler weather drives the spiders elsewhere.

So if you would like to avoid spider webs on your weather instruments (or anything else,) you might give this technique a try.

Edouard

[Blicj11]

Interesting resolution. Thanks for sharing.

I don't have spiders but I could tell something was up in the rain collector department. An inspection showed dirt built up all the way from the spoon into the bottom of the funnel in the cup.

[wurzelmac]

Edouard, I do like the way you take care of some of our smaller members on planet earth.