Cobwebs on my PWS

   / Cobwebs on my PWS #1  

Grumpycat

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2019
Messages
2,368
Location
Madison, AL
Tractor
<TBD>
Have forgotten how many years I have had a PWS (Personal Weather Station) on this fence (this is the 2nd hardware, first was up long enough for the plastic to turn to dust) but this year is the first I have had a spider problem. Don't see cobwebs anywhere else on the fence or the trees but have had this thing apart 4 times this year to clean it out. This morning I only had to dust it off having observed the almost impossible situation of no wind for several days.

The 2nd picture is of the black teeter-totter inside with buckets to measure rainfall. Each tilt counts as 0.01" of rain. Most recent cleaning used WD-40 hoping spiders will not like the smell. Also folded a dryer sheet inside as fabric softener seems to be a good bug repellant.

My PWS posts as KALMADIS73, Personal Weather Station Dashboard | Weather Underground

IMG_2565.jpg
IMG_2548.jpg
 
   / Cobwebs on my PWS #2  
We had a spider plague this year, seems to be a 10 year event, early in the morning acres of paddocks are just covered in a blanket of cobwebs, our PWS didn't seem to be affected but it is on top of a 10' steel pole mounted on gutter fascias.
Our problem is corrosion on the battery terminals that get damp in their waterproof (???) enclosure.
 
   / Cobwebs on my PWS
  • Thread Starter
#3  
We had a spider plague this year, seems to be a 10 year event, early in the morning acres of paddocks are just covered in a blanket of cobwebs, our PWS didn't seem to be affected but it is on top of a 10' steel pole mounted on gutter fascias.
Our problem is corrosion on the battery terminals that get damp in their waterproof (???) enclosure.
The AcuRite 5-in-1 shown doesn't do anything to waterproof the battery compartment. Has a loose door on the bottom. Batteries are about 1/2" above the door. Humid air freely enters. Haven't had a problem with battery contacts.
 
   / Cobwebs on my PWS #4  
Peppermint oil mixed with water and applied with a spray bottle solved the spider problem in my home gym.

IMG_6976.jpg



A single undiluted drop in your weather station should do the trick.
 
   / Cobwebs on my PWS #5  
The AcuRite 5-in-1 shown doesn't do anything to waterproof the battery compartment. Has a loose door on the bottom. Batteries are about 1/2" above the door. Humid air freely enters. Haven't had a problem with battery contacts.
Ours was a cheaper unit which probably explains a lot, we paid about $130, might look at the Acurite but the missus will baulk at the $350 price tag.
Fence mounting no can do as the horses will break it.
 
   / Cobwebs on my PWS #7  
I have a Vantage Pro 2 weather station. Mounted on a steel pipe about eight feet above the corner of my porch. No spider problems. However - the rain collection cup will fill with dead, falling pine needles. I climb the ladder and pick them out two or three times a year. It's somewhat of a PITA & I dislike ladders.
 
   / Cobwebs on my PWS #8  
Peppermint oil mixed with water and applied with a spray bottle solved the spider problem in my home gym.

View attachment 711158


A single undiluted drop in your weather station should do the trick.

Killer gym!

Yeah, I’d spray the pole too.

I spray the soffit around my hummingbird feeders to keep the ants out.
 
   / Cobwebs on my PWS #9  
Killer gym!

Yeah, I’d spray the pole too.

I spray the soffit around my hummingbird feeders to keep the ants o
Peppermint oil mixed with water and applied with a spray bottle solved the spider problem in my home gym.

View attachment 711158


A single undiluted drop in your weather station should do the trick
Never been to a gym in my life!
Ain't about to start now (almost 81).
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2018 Ford Explorer AWD SUV (A44572)
2018 Ford Explorer...
2021 Case Trident 5550 Spreader (A46878)
2021 Case Trident...
2020 John Deere 6105E 2wd cab tractor (A46877)
2020 John Deere...
2001 Harriston 6-row Disc-Hiller (A47369)
2001 Harriston...
T/A Flatbed Utility Trailer (A44571)
T/A Flatbed...
2019 FREIGHTLINER M2 24FT BOX TRUCK (A43005)
2019 FREIGHTLINER...
 
Top