dealing with your environment when observing...

joshman (Josh) · #1 28-01-2008, 12:05 AM

MOSQUITO'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i hate them, i had the most perfectly clear night last night, not a cloud to be seen, dark (till the moon came up) i was having a rather grand time observing with teh 20mm EP, then throwing the 2x barlow on for fun (m42 looks good through that setup) beautiful night, however...

10 minutes after setup, i was literally getting eaten by mosquitos! they've take my left leg (got another one on order though, should be here tomorrow

)

last time i tried to put up with the mozzies, i was spraying myself down with RID every 10 minutes, just to keep them at bay.

so i ask, how do YOU keep them away?

Terry B · #2 28-01-2008, 12:18 AM

I find the roll on rid works when they are a problem here. They disappear when it gets cold enough.

joshman (Josh) · #3 28-01-2008, 12:29 AM

yeah? it's not working up here, i figure they decide that my blood is worth whatever discomfort the RID is giving them. i find it it's slightly breezy then they won't be around, but of course that never happens, it's been warm and still where i observe.

xelasnave · #4 28-01-2008, 12:36 AM

Mozzie coils help...and keep covered...and they come in on the smell of you breathing..so dont breath.
A net is good also.
alex

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #5 28-01-2008, 12:38 AM

Hi Josh,
You could light a couple of mozzie coils and let them burn for an hour or so before you start observing. That should keep some of them away. Put them out when it's time to use the scope.
I use a fair bit of insect repellent, I find the "Home Brand" and "Black and Gold" stuff as good as anything else. My feet get a proper saturation job because I hate getting bitten on the toes. My clothes also get sprayed so I don't get bitten through them.

My pet hate is when the mozzies get in behind my glasses and bite me on the eyelids. They can get you 5 or 6 times before you realise whats happening. You end up with nasty looking swollen eyes that you can't rub or scratch because your hands are covered with insect repellent. LOL

CoombellKid · #6 28-01-2008, 12:41 AM

I sleep under a net, but in the bush you kinda get use to them a little unless
they're swarming. But I find good spray down with RID works well for me.

Like jjjnettie, I hate being biten on the toes, it's the worst place to try
and scratch lol

regards,CS

joshman (Josh) · #7 28-01-2008, 12:42 AM

a mozzie net.... now there's an idea....one that has a hole cut in it for the OTA to stick through...i'm liking this,

and yeah, i kept getting mozzies inbetween my eye and the eyepiece the other night, that was uncomfortable! i haven't had alot of success with mozzie coils, i guess they breed them strong and immune out where i go.

xelasnave · #8 28-01-2008, 12:49 AM

If you put them out early and a few of them they help.
I was thinking a net just over your head but over the scope would work...and they do really take away from the experience ...I dont bother viewing on the flat because they are so fierce but a net over your head works..let it hang off you hat and lift it when you need. A beard helps..less area to attack...and long hair to cover the back of the neck.
alex

joshman (Josh) · #9 28-01-2008, 01:01 AM

to be honest, it's not my head that i'm worried about with mozzie's, it's the rest of me. these guys bite through clothes and all. they are like vampire horse's with wings!

kljucd1 (Daniel) · #10 28-01-2008, 01:08 AM

Hi,

I don't know if it is any different really but I use Aerogard - Tropical Strength.
I need this as just sound of them literally causes me to get welts on my fingers. If they land on me then my fingers will be red raw from the scratching.

Sometimes using a different brand is all that is needed.

Daniel...

joshman (Josh) · #11 28-01-2008, 01:11 AM

thanks, i'll put some aerogard down on my shopping list and give it a whirl, hopefully i'll be observing relatively mozzie free soon!

CoombellKid · #12 28-01-2008, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshman

to be honest, it's not my head that i'm worried about with mozzie's, it's the rest of me. these guys bite through clothes and all. they are like vampire horse's with wings!

That why I use the spray, spray ya clothes as well

regards,CS

citivolus (Ric) · #13 28-01-2008, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoombellKid

That why I use the spray, spray ya clothes as well

Just watch out as it is a bit oily, and can leave a residue. I realized this after spraying my daughters clothes one day and then enduring the wrath of my wife

CoombellKid · #14 28-01-2008, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by citivolus

Just watch out as it is a bit oily, and can leave a residue. I realized this after spraying my daughters clothes one day and then enduring the wrath of my wife

Hmmmmm.... never noticed any staining residue on my clothes, but then
again I'm a Bloke and are probably blind to such things

regards,CS

Ric · #15 28-01-2008, 07:31 AM

I find the Aeroguard quite reliable. I also find that if there is someone else with me then I'm left alone and the other poor soul cops the lot.

Very strange indeed

Karlsson · #16 28-01-2008, 08:54 AM

While Aerogard is effective it contains DEET as its active ingredient, as does Bushman repellent. DEET can react with some plastics as found on eyepiece grip rings, focuser knobs, camera bodies etc. and leave obvious fingerprints at the least, if not turn the plastic into a gooey mess after repeated contact

If you do use anything containing DEET be careful not to get it onto your hands - personally I prefer Picaridin-based repellents, like OFF, for that reason.

OneOfOne (Trevor) · #17 28-01-2008, 09:02 AM

I used to use the roll on Aeroguard, but find it makes my hands sticky. A couple of months ago I got a pack of mozzie coils and find they are effectve but I have to put it out about an hour before I go outside. I put the coil right at the leg of the tripod and they seem to work relatively well. Of course if it is windy, I doubt they would work.

Of all the external factors (cloud, lights, Moon, wind, cold etc), these little buggers have got to the worst!

taz · #18 28-01-2008, 10:08 AM

Yes, I'm that poor soul that cops it when the people I'm with don't.

I'm currently trying a nice cocktail of both tropical strength aeroguard and bushman.

joshman (Josh) · #19 28-01-2008, 10:13 AM

i've found that if it's windy the mozzies are no where to be seen, so i'm always hoping for windy, clear nights

§AB · #20 28-01-2008, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshman

MOSQUITO'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i hate them, i had the most perfectly clear night last night, not a cloud to be seen, dark (till the moon came up) i was having a rather grand time observing with teh 20mm EP, then throwing the 2x barlow on for fun (m42 looks good through that setup) beautiful night, however...

10 minutes after setup, i was literally getting eaten by mosquitos! they've take my left leg (got another one on order though, should be here tomorrow

)

last time i tried to put up with the mozzies, i was spraying myself down with RID every 10 minutes, just to keep them at bay.

so i ask, how do YOU keep them away?

Oh ****'s sake don't get me started Mosquitos

:mad2 :

They are THE WORST CREATION EVER TO BEFOUL OUR PLANET

The last time I dealt with the plague I put on long pants and a jumper. Ofcourse, being 30-35ºC I couldn't endure that very long and I packed up the scope, very pissed offly. From my experience, bug sprays don't work for ****.