Mud Wasp nest

[I.C.D (Ian)]

Hi All well after a 3 month away from my telescope because of weather and other things I finally got back to it over the last few days. I was having trouble getting my stars pinpoint ,the best I could get was stars with tails ,thing it was a collimation problem. Before starting I shone a torch down the tube and there it was a mud wasp nest on the inside the tube.
What would be the best way of cleaning it out

[xelasnave]

Originally Posted by I.C.D

Hi All well after a 3 month away from my telescope because of weather and other things I finally got back to it over the last few days. I was having trouble getting my stars pinpoint ,the best I could get was stars with tails ,thing it was a collimation problem. Before starting I shone a torch down the tube and there it was a mud wasp nest on the inside the tube.
What would be the best way of cleaning it out

Make sure you place your OTA on an angle so nothing can fall on your mirror..next I would put a sheet or pillow between the nest and the mirror so when you attempt removal if a piece takes off it will hit the pillow or sheet before the mirror.. also plug your eye piece tube and cover the secondar mirror...next run your vacuum cleaner near the nest and lever it off very gently with a knife..it should pop right off in one piece but it is stray stuff that may jump off to watch for...just do it slowly..nothing will bite you.. there will be a mud patch left which you can remove with a wet cloth...if you can let the damp cloth rest on the mud patch for a little while making the mud moist so it wipes off easily... I get them all the time and having have problems with my guiding recently I now wonder... I will just wonder until I can check...I still can't move so it will drive me bats wondering now..

Where they fool you in the bush is the genny, brush cutter, mower, fire pump or chain saw etc will not start..ordinarily the first thing you check is the spark plug but it is best checking the exhaust as they just love that place and many times I have gone bats..check the plug..plenty of spark so..check the fuel ...ok... hmmmm check that spark again maybe it is weak..take the main jet out and have a good look..mmm.try the air cleaner...then it dawns on you..wasp..And sure is...check the exhaust first.

But if they are getting in the OTA get a mozzy net as if you can keep them from stuff they are not bad to have around as they will keep the spiders culled...

Anyways maybe others have a better idea so wait for a better reply.

Alex

[I.C.D (Ian)]

Hi Alex thanks for the info I have Mead LXD75 8 " sn so I'm going to have too remove the corrector plate .I have had spiders in their as well and the only place they can get in is at the primary mirror so I will be putting mozzy net around the bottom .Again Alex thanks

[xelasnave]

Originally Posted by I.C.D

Hi Alex thanks for the info I have Mead LXD75 8 " sn so I'm going to have too remove the corrector plate .I have had spiders in their as well and the only place they can get in is at the primary mirror so I will be putting mozzy net around the bottom .Again Alex thanks

You have a great scope there ... I had a six inch the previous model and wore it out out...good luck with the cleaning.

Alex

[Boozlefoot]

Had the same problem some years ago, till I got some "brush" seals on the doors of the obsy. (Cut the wasps back, but not totally) Ordered a couple of these re-usable shower caps to try. They're made of a "silk" type rayon, come in different colours, and are double layered. Quite durable. A wide, adjustable elastic with buckle. Problem solved, and at $2.65 each delivered, ex PRC. I ordered another 10 for my other scopes - even if I have dust caps on, these go on top.

Just covers a 12" newt, but also use them on focusers on my RC's and refractors.

[I.C.D (Ian)]

Thanks mate for the tip ,I ask my wife did she have a spare shower cap with she did and it is now on my scope