Security cameras are a great way to monitor your home even when you are not there. However, security cameras become useless when their field of view becomes blocked. There are a lot of factors that can block a security camera’s view and wasps are one of them. If you have a security camera and find that wasps keep flying around it, don’t fret as there are ways to repel wasps without a professional exterminator.
Some of the ways to keep wasps away from security cameras are to disable the camera’s LED lights, apply peppermint oil to the camera’s exterior, and use dryer sheets. However, if your security camera already has a wasp nest around it, it is best to call a professional exterminator rather than remove it yourself.
In this article, we will give you quick and simple ways to keep wasps away from security cameras. If you want wasps away from your camera, make sure to read until the end!
Why Are Wasps Attracted To Security Cameras?
There are several reasons as to why wasps are attracted to security cameras. Many security cameras have LED lights which give off thermal heat. The heat from the lights attracts wasps and other flying insects such as bees.
Wasps can also get attracted to security cameras because security cameras emit a magnetic field. This magnetic transmission causes wasps to go near security cameras. Wasps may also see security cameras as a source of food and they can also set up their nest on a security camera where they can lay eggs. If you find wasps near your security camera, it is best to keep them away.
Why Do You Need To Keep Wasps Away From Security Cameras?
Wasps can build their nests on top of or around your security camera. This can block the view of the camera or worse, damage the device. A blocked or damaged security camera will compromise the safety of your home and you will not be able to monitor the area if the camera’s view is blocked or is completely damaged. Wasps getting close to a security camera can also make the motion detection go off making you check the camera’s app ever so often.
How To Keep Wasps Away From Security Cameras
There are several things you can do to keep wasps away from a security camera. These are all DIY methods and can work well if you do not have a wasp infestation. If you already have a wasp net on your camera, it is best to call a professional exterminator to help you with your problem.
Here are quick and easy ways that you can do yourself to keep wasps away from your security camera.
Disable LED Lights
As we said earlier, wasps are attracted to the infrared light of security cameras because of the heat they give off. LED lights are tiny lights that enable security cameras to capture footage in low-light settings or in the dark.
Disabling a security camera’s LED lights can prevent wasps from flying around your camera. This can also prevent wasps from building a nest on the camera.
However, disabling LED lights will also affect your camera’s night vision, especially if it is not a Low Light or Day and Night security camera. If your security camera has LED lights disabled, it will make the camera less appealing to wasps and other insects that are attracted to LED lights.
Use Wasp-repellent Plants
Another solution that does not involve disabling your security camera’s LED lights is to have wasp-repellent plants. Wasps are attracted to heat and magnetic fields but they also don’t like certain smells.
Wasp-repellent plants can keep wasps away from your security cameras as these plants have scents that don’t attract wasps. Here are some of the plants that can repel wasps:
– Mint and Spearmint
– Thyme
– Marigolds
– Geranium
– Lemongrass
– Citronella
– Eucalyptus
Planting these wasp-repellent plants near your camera can keep wasps away and deter wasps from building a nest.
Use Peppermint Oil
Applying peppermint oil around the security camera is also one way to keep wasps away. Wasps do not like anything with a mint scent due to menthol and peppermint oil can be effective in repelling wasps.
When applying or spraying peppermint oil on your security camera, make sure to avoid the camera’s lens. Spraying peppermint oil on the camera’s lens can block the camera’s view rendering it useless.
Just lace a couple of drops of the oil into a clean cloth and wipe it on the exterior of your security camera. You can also spray peppermint oil on a small piece of fabric and attach the fabric to the camera if you don’t want any oil directly on the camera.
Using peppermint oil is not a long-term solution. You might have to do this every couple of weeks or months as the scent can wash off, especially if it rains. Aside from peppermint oil, you can also spray insect repellent around the security camera.
Use Dryer Sheets
Hanging dryer sheets on the security camera is an effective way to ward off wasps and other insects. Dryer sheets also have a strong scent that can prevent wasps from flying around your security camera.
You can use a rubber band to secure a dryer sheet around your camera. Dryer sheets do not expire however, they can lose their scent. Like peppermint oil, you want to replace the dryer sheet once the scent wears off. Otherwise, the wasps will keep flying back to your security camera.
Place A Flea Collar On The Base Of The Security Camera
Believe it or not, flea collars are not just to protect your pets from ticks and fleas. They can also be used to keep wasps and other insects away from your security cameras.
Flea collars have chemicals to prevent ticks and fleas. The chemicals from the tick collars release a strong odor that can repel wasps. You can place the flea collar around the base of the camera and make sure that it does not cover the camera’s lens.
Make sure to also avoid placing the flea collar where it can trip off any switches on the camera. Flea collars are adjustable so you can place them around the camera without worrying about them falling off.
Regularly Clean Your Security Camera
Regularly cleaning your security cameras will keep the cameras dirt and debris-free. It is also a way for you to check for any wasps flying around the camera.
Cleaning your security camera regularly will prevent wasps nets and will also keep the camera lens clean. This will provide you with clearer and sharper images and videos which is what you want, especially for an outdoor security system.
Fill In Any Holes Or Cracks
Any holes or cracks around your camera can be an access point for the wasps. They can build their nest there and lay their eggs. Sealing the holes and cracks will prevent wasps from your camera.
Apply Petroleum Jelly To The Security Camera
Petroleum jelly is sticky and wasps don’t like sticky stuff. Applying a layer of petroleum jelly on the exterior of your security camera can be effective in deterring wasps and other bugs or insects. When applying petroleum jelly to your security camera, make sure to not get any on your camera’s lens as doing so will affect the camera’s visibility.
Conclusion
Disabling LED lights, applying peppermint oil, using dryer sheets, and even flea collars can be effective in keeping wasps away from security cameras. In order to have an effective surveillance system, you have to keep your cameras wasp-free. In this article, we talked about several things you can do to keep your security cameras wasp-free.
We hope this article was helpful and gave you ideas on how to keep wasps away from security cameras. If you have any other questions, let us know via the contact form on our website!
