Bugs and lights. Arrrrr
Submitted: Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 10:56
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Scoof
We camped at Canarvon Gorge (Takarakka) a month or so back, we were amazed at the
camp kitchen there were 4 fluro lights 2 white and 2 yellow.
The yellow lights had no bugs around them.The white fluro's were loaded with every bug known to man kind.(almost)
Also all the campers with gas lights had no bugs.(lucky Buggers)
We all had 12volt lights and were swamped with bugs.
Had to sit around in the dark.(probably a good thing after a couple)
Now can you buy a 12 volt yellow light because we reckon that would be the ant's pants.!!
Happy bug
free camping,
Scoof
Reply By: Member - Brian (WA) - Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 11:46
Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 11:46
I got a can of Yellow spray paint from Bunnings and sprayed the
glass. Worked
well enough for me not to moan when cooking and
I have 3 which I take. cheers Brian
AnswerID:
269693
Follow Up By: Johnnotoo - Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 13:14
Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 13:14
I wrap gasfitters yellow tape around the neon tube in my 12 volt light.
Works very
well.
FollowupID:
532577
Reply By: AdlelaideGeorge - Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 14:06
Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 14:06
I bought a $2:00 packet of yellow cellophane from Spotlight and wrapped that around the fluro - it seemed to keep the bugs away when we used it in the boat at
Goolwa.
Happy days
George
AnswerID:
269712
Reply By: madcow - Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 15:02
Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 15:02
These guys sell them for a versa light at $8 each and work
well.
http://www.4x4equip.com.au/listProduct/Camping+Accessories/Yellow+Light+Filters
can vouch for their effectiveness
AnswerID:
269723
Follow Up By: Member - Scoof (SA) - Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 23:36
Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 23:36
Hey thanks madcow, I'm going to get me a couple, excellent site.
Scoof.. :-)
FollowupID:
532703
Follow Up By: madcow - Wednesday, Nov 07, 2007 at 07:45
Wednesday, Nov 07, 2007 at 07:45
I've bought a few things off them now and am happy with their products. They certainly have a few good ideas especially the freestanding pole which i find surprising no one thought of one earlier.
cheers Dave
FollowupID:
533483
Reply By: Member - Jeff H (QLD) - Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 15:08
Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 15:08
Scoof, a piece of yellow rubbish bag works a treat.
(No you silly bugger, don't hang it in a tree; wrap it around your fluoro).
Cheers eh.
Jeff.
AnswerID:
269724
Reply By: shepo - Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 19:33
Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 19:33
we were in the same situation a few years ago at innaminka with our fluro lights, since then we use head torches which are great , your hands are free[ if using hand held torches are not] also the light is directed to where you are looking, the ambience is much better [ better view of the stars] we usually have a fire going so only use the head torches for food prep & eating, less hassel charging lots of batteries the aaa's last forever . it surprises me at times the amount of lighting some
camp sites have,[ must be scared of the dark]
cheers shep
AnswerID:
269750
Follow Up By: Member - Duncs - Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 21:39
Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 21:39
Must be good head lights if you can use them to see the stars :-)
Sorry but I am a dad.
I won't be offended if you don't laugh, my kids wouldn't
Duncs
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Doug T (Qld) - Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 19:53
Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 19:53
What colour are indicator lights !!!!!
AnswerID:
269755
Follow Up By: Member - Doug T (Qld) - Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 19:55
Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 19:55
What colour are cheap Chinese Fog lights !!!!!
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Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 20:43
Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 20:43
Yellow coloured lights to limit the attraction of insects is nothing new.
I'm surprised you are so amazed.
Bear in mind though that the application of a yellow filter, whether it be by paint, cellophane, or any other method, will also reduce the light output.
I discovered by accident that LED lights, even though they are a white colour, do not attract insects to anywhere near the same level.
My 12 volt 60 LED "magic wand" is used near the cooking area of my camper and I have experienced very little problem from insects.
The versalite generally is at the other end of the annex and attracts its fair share of insects, depending on location, conditions, etc.
Oh, and by the way, when I used to use a gas powered lantern, it attracted the same quantity of insects as the vesalite. In the morning it was unbelievable to see the amount of dead carcasses around and on the lantern. So the gas lantern is not the answer.
Yellow filters is one solution.
In my own experience, LED lighting is another very good solution.
I also have a head mounted lamp which I use on occasions. This contains LED's and again I have not experienced a problem with insects being attracted by the light.
Therefore, I have found no need to "disguise" the light output of the versalite fluro.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Nutter (QLD) - Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 20:59
Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 20:59
Totally agree Sand Man, the LEDs do not seem to attract bugs
Nutter
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Follow Up By: Member - Scoof (SA) - Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 23:24
Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 23:24
I know it's not something new but when the same shed had 2 of each type in it to see the difference so close together was good .
Also we stopped taking gas lanterns years ago because the mantels break and they seam to attracked the bugs just as much, but at Takarakka the gas lanterns were as good as the yellow fluro's.
Might try the LEDs.
Scoof
FollowupID:
532702
Reply By: Member - Duncs - Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 21:43
Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 21:43
Thanks for that Sand Man,
Another reason to go chasing some LED's.
We were camped years ago near the Palmer River in FNQ. As it started to get dark we lit a citronella candle to help keep the bugs away.
Talk about bees to a honey pot. The bugs were so thick on the candle that they nearly smothered it.
Thankfully we managed to keep them out of the Trak Shak. An early night was the only solution.
Duncs
AnswerID:
269795
Reply By: Member - Mainey (wa) - Tuesday, Nov 13, 2007 at 12:38
Tuesday, Nov 13, 2007 at 12:38
Scoof,
Have a good look at the "Energiser" Led light head light ( $39 ?? )
They give you the choice of either white or red coloured leds in the same lamp, the red led is fantastic for cooking because it won't attract the bugs, and then you can just switch to the white for reading etc.
They are small and compact lights and easy to wear, you are always looking where the light is shining, because it's worn on the head.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Scoof - Tuesday, Nov 13, 2007 at 16:44
Tuesday, Nov 13, 2007 at 16:44
Hi Mainy, Yeh I have the same light you are on about but the red light is not that good.
Everything looks under cooked with the red light , LOL.
Did you have a look at the web site some posted a link to, it has yellow filters for the lead lights , thats the way I'am going.
No more *%$#@ BUGS
Cheers Scoof.. :-)
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