keeping locusts out
Submitted: Sunday, Dec 05, 2010 at 19:43
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outback epicurean
Hi
Just wondering how people have gone about fitting screens to keep out locusts. With a bull bar reasonably OK but also have a car and very hard to find anything to attach to. I am wondering if 100 mph tape would hold it on the flat section uner the bonnet area. Any hints or photo's welcome.
cheers
Reply By: Member - Joe n Mel n kids (FNQ - Sunday, Dec 05, 2010 at 19:48
Sunday, Dec 05, 2010 at 19:48
i have in the past used shade cloth cable tied to the roo bar, i have seen the fly screens from windows with the ali frame slotted down in front of the radiator, just behind the grille, you most probally could find one at a "building salvage"
shop .....
Have also seen it cable tied right accross the front, lights, grille, spotties ect and stops them plastering lights as
well, if all day driving that will work fine
AnswerID:
437920
Reply By: Trev6 - Sunday, Dec 05, 2010 at 19:55
Sunday, Dec 05, 2010 at 19:55
On older model cars (not sure about newer ones, ie last 10 yrs) it was easy to fit some gause or loose weave shade cloth inbetween the grill and the radiator, you could tie it to the front support panel and just let it hang down where needed. This will protect the cooling system, as for the paint work soak the front of the car under a garden sprinkler until the bugs wash off with mimimal scrubbing.
Parking it in the rain works
well also if there is any around.
They are real hard to remove after they have dried on the car
Trev6
AnswerID:
437921
Follow Up By: Member - Boo Boo (NSW) - Sunday, Dec 05, 2010 at 20:34
Sunday, Dec 05, 2010 at 20:34
Trev6
I'm a lazy fella and have found the easiest way to get the locust and any other bug off is to spray them with preen or similar,,,, wait about one minute then use a sponge with that netting on it and they come of very easy.
FollowupID:
709531
Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Sunday, Dec 05, 2010 at 20:36
Sunday, Dec 05, 2010 at 20:36
Is a bit of a problem with a TD as Toyota recommend not using a bug shield on the grille
We bought a square made from heavy shade cloth at Supercheap in
Albany and fixed it to the top bars of the bullbar and down to the bottom of the vents below.
It didnt make the car run hotter and unfortunately didnt stop the swarm of bees that hit the windscreen.
Had enough honey on it for 2 breakfasts LOL
AnswerID:
437932
Follow Up By: Member - Boo Boo (NSW) - Sunday, Dec 05, 2010 at 20:52
Sunday, Dec 05, 2010 at 20:52
You really need to be careful about putting shade cloth over the grille.
From what I understand many standard temperature gauges do not move until the temp is very hot and the radiator is almost boiling.
Is there enough room between the inside of the grille and the radiator to put a piece of 12mm square welded mesh?
I find the mesh keeps out about 90% of the locust off the radiator as they are fairly large critters.
FollowupID:
709535
Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Sunday, Dec 05, 2010 at 21:28
Sunday, Dec 05, 2010 at 21:28
I have a seperate digital temp gauge and am fully aware about that.
They actually dont move if the water drops out as they need water to work.
Thats why I also have a low water alarm in the top radiator hose.
The cloth let enough air flow around it to keep the temp down and the insects out
FollowupID:
709545
Follow Up By: StormyKnight - Monday, Dec 06, 2010 at 09:02
Monday, Dec 06, 2010 at 09:02
I used shade cloth last but I think it blocked too much air so this time I have nylon flyscreen.
Digital temp gauge read an immediate 5 degree rise from 72 to 77 degrees.
Also whilst idling @ roadworks with the AC on it was peaking @ 90 degrees. I'm guessing a fair bit of that was due to heatsoak stopping immediately from 100km/h.
The standard gauge does not move at all from 70-90 degrees!
Cheers
FollowupID:
709579
Follow Up By: Shaker - Monday, Dec 06, 2010 at 09:55
Monday, Dec 06, 2010 at 09:55
QUOTE: "Is a bit of a problem with a TD as Toyota recommend not using a bug shield on the grille".
If you look at reply 3 in this thread, you will see Toyota actually market an accessory insect screen that fits to the grille.
FollowupID:
709583
Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Monday, Dec 06, 2010 at 10:26
Monday, Dec 06, 2010 at 10:26
I know they do and they also recommend it not be fitted to TD models.
I read it somewhere as I was going to buy one but was put off by this.
The shield fits both Petrol and TD.
I will
check with my local parts guy.
FollowupID:
709589
Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Monday, Dec 06, 2010 at 10:28
Monday, Dec 06, 2010 at 10:28
Also a Prado may be different in the requirements to my 100 ser
FollowupID:
709590
Reply By: Fab72 - Sunday, Dec 05, 2010 at 21:56
Sunday, Dec 05, 2010 at 21:56
G'Day... without knowing the car you're refering to, it makes it pretty hard to gauge.
100mph tape works
well but often leaves sticky residue behind. If it's a modernish car, attach the lower section with the screws/bolts that hold the lower splash sheild in place. Then mount the number plate on the screen to hold it in the middle. Cable ties up top work a treat too, although in the past, I've bought a length of velcro from Spotlight and stuck part onto the radiator support panel and sewn the other half onto the shade cloth. Makes it easy to take on and off.
Saw a 4by tonight with a refrigerator condenssor mounted on the front of the bullbar. In theory, would be a good option. Tough enough to clean off with a firm brush, good spacing for airflow and looks neat.
Another trick I learnt....lightly wipe down the front painted areas with Armoral or diesel fuel... the bugs won't stick although the dust will. Still makes it easier to clean off after the trip.
Fab.
AnswerID:
437939
Reply By: Robin Miller - Monday, Dec 06, 2010 at 11:37
Monday, Dec 06, 2010 at 11:37
Use 50% shadecolth here and attach with Velcro.
No bull bar so in a couple of
places I sewed in short straps with Velcro ends that go around bumper pillars and stick to other velcro ends.
In a couple of other
places I had to use sticky backed Velcro on flat surfaces.
Keeps grass ouf of radiator as
well.
AnswerID:
437972