Our security camera is having an issue some nights.
The motion sensor is triggered by what looks like a swarm of very small insects in front of the lens.
I thin that this is actually the reflection of the built in light from
small drops of moisture in the air.
This is the camera
<https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09B44P6C2?>
As I understand it, in the dark without an external light source it
provides its own IR light.
It does have an inbuilt light as well but I don't use it at the moment.
Apart from an external IR light source, does anyone have any suggestions?
On Sat, 01 Mar 2025 21:23:53 +0000, alan_m wrote:
On 01/03/2025 20:19, David wrote:
Our security camera is having an issue some nights.
The motion sensor is triggered by what looks like a swarm of very small
insects in front of the lens.
I thin that this is actually the reflection of the built in light from
small drops of moisture in the air.
This is the camera <https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09B44P6C2?>
As I understand it, in the dark without an external light source it
provides its own IR light.
It does have an inbuilt light as well but I don't use it at the moment.
Apart from an external IR light source, does anyone have any
suggestions?
I have camera from the same manufacturer and model range. The only
reliable triggering mode is the "AI" human body recognition. Other modes
are triggered by spiders, spider webs, flying insects, rain, wind blown
branches etc.etc.
These cameras although being very low power consumption seem to provide
enough warmth, or the ir light attracts a few insects, to make them a
favoured home for spiders.
I am using the camera to monitor our hedgehog visitors so human body recognition wouldn't be much help, sadly.
On 01/03/2025 20:19, David wrote:
Our security camera is having an issue some nights.
The motion sensor is triggered by what looks like a swarm of very small
insects in front of the lens.
I thin that this is actually the reflection of the built in light from
small drops of moisture in the air.
This is the camera <https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09B44P6C2?>
As I understand it, in the dark without an external light source it
provides its own IR light.
It does have an inbuilt light as well but I don't use it at the moment.
Apart from an external IR light source, does anyone have any
suggestions?
I have camera from the same manufacturer and model range. The only
reliable triggering mode is the "AI" human body recognition. Other modes
are triggered by spiders, spider webs, flying insects, rain, wind blown branches etc.etc.
These cameras although being very low power consumption seem to provide enough warmth, or the ir light attracts a few insects, to make them a favoured home for spiders.
If you are considering buying other of their products perhaps watch
this rant about what Tado are doing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfAchfFXghc
Our security camera is having an issue some nights.
The motion sensor is triggered by what looks like a swarm of very small insects in front of the lens.
I thin that this is actually the reflection of the built in light from
small drops of moisture in the air.
This is the camera
<https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09B44P6C2?>
As I understand it, in the dark without an external light source it
provides its own IR light.
It does have an inbuilt light as well but I don't use it at the moment.
Apart from an external IR light source, does anyone have any suggestions?
Cheers
Dave R
On 01/03/2025 20:19, David wrote:
Our security camera is having an issue some nights.
The motion sensor is triggered by what looks like a swarm of very small
insects in front of the lens.
I thin that this is actually the reflection of the built in light from
small drops of moisture in the air.
This is the camera
<https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09B44P6C2?>
As I understand it, in the dark without an external light source it
provides its own IR light.
It does have an inbuilt light as well but I don't use it at the moment.
Apart from an external IR light source, does anyone have any suggestions?
Cheers
Dave R
Unlike glass, polythene sheet transmits IR, so perhapsa box around the
camera with a clear polythen window would keep droplets/insects far
enough away to avoid triggering.
Did you mean perspex rather than polythene as you mention a box?
Polythene is, however, transparent to IR, so putting a small poly bag
round the whole camera would be a simple way to test if it helps.
On 02/03/2025 13:49, Jeff Layman wrote:
Did you mean perspex rather than polythene as you mention a box?
Polythene is, however, transparent to IR, so putting a small poly bag
round the whole camera would be a simple way to test if it helps.
Been there done that years ago, glass and perspex IIRC block IR but even black polythene bin bag material allows a PIR to work interestingly.
Whatever you use has to be some distance from the camera, presumably so
water drops/mites are only 1 pixel across at most.
On 02/03/2025 15:02, N_Cook wrote:
On 02/03/2025 13:49, Jeff Layman wrote:
Did you mean perspex rather than polythene as you mention a box?
Polythene is, however, transparent to IR, so putting a small poly bag
round the whole camera would be a simple way to test if it helps.
Been there done that years ago, glass and perspex IIRC block IR but even
black polythene bin bag material allows a PIR to work interestingly.
Whatever you use has to be some distance from the camera, presumably so
water drops/mites are only 1 pixel across at most.
A typical visible band camera with glass lenses see IR to perhaps to 1um assuming it has no IR blocking filter. With a typical security camera
the scene will be illuminated with IR lighting which is invisible to the human eye and the camera will pick anything in the IR band that the
camera sensor is sensitive to.
This type of camera will not see through a black polythene bag.
True IR cameras works typically in the 3 to 5um band or the 8 to 12/14um
band and generally have germanium lenses. IR cameras operating in the
latter band are the most common type used by the military, on Police helicopters and those commercially available at an affordable cost. Such as
https://www.flir.co.uk/products/flir-one-edge-pro/
In general these cameras will not see through glass but will see a
(live) body covered in a black plastic rubbish sack.
On 02/03/2025 13:49, Jeff Layman wrote:
Did you mean perspex rather than polythene as you mention a box?
Polythene is, however, transparent to IR, so putting a small poly bag
round the whole camera would be a simple way to test if it helps.
Been there done that years ago, glass and perspex IIRC block IR but even black polythene bin bag material allows a PIR to work interestingly.
Whatever you use has to be some distance from the camera, presumably so
water drops/mites are only 1 pixel across at most.
On Sat, 01 Mar 2025 21:23:53 +0000, alan_m wrote:
On 01/03/2025 20:19, David wrote:
Our security camera is having an issue some nights.
The motion sensor is triggered by what looks like a swarm of very small
insects in front of the lens.
I thin that this is actually the reflection of the built in light from
small drops of moisture in the air.
This is the camera <https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09B44P6C2?>
As I understand it, in the dark without an external light source it
provides its own IR light.
It does have an inbuilt light as well but I don't use it at the moment.
Apart from an external IR light source, does anyone have any
suggestions?
I have camera from the same manufacturer and model range. The only
reliable triggering mode is the "AI" human body recognition. Other modes
are triggered by spiders, spider webs, flying insects, rain, wind blown
branches etc.etc.
These cameras although being very low power consumption seem to provide
enough warmth, or the ir light attracts a few insects, to make them a
favoured home for spiders.
I am using the camera to monitor our hedgehog visitors so human body recognition wouldn't be much help, sadly.
On 2 Mar 2025 at 17:31:04 GMT, "alan_m" <[email protected]> wrote:
On 02/03/2025 15:02, N_Cook wrote:
On 02/03/2025 13:49, Jeff Layman wrote:A typical visible band camera with glass lenses see IR to perhaps to
Did you mean perspex rather than polythene as you mention a box?
Polythene is, however, transparent to IR, so putting a small poly bag
round the whole camera would be a simple way to test if it helps.
Been there done that years ago, glass and perspex IIRC block IR but
even black polythene bin bag material allows a PIR to work
interestingly. Whatever you use has to be some distance from the
camera, presumably so water drops/mites are only 1 pixel across at
most.
1um assuming it has no IR blocking filter. With a typical security
camera the scene will be illuminated with IR lighting which is
invisible to the human eye and the camera will pick anything in the IR
band that the camera sensor is sensitive to.
This type of camera will not see through a black polythene bag.
True IR cameras works typically in the 3 to 5um band or the 8 to
12/14um band and generally have germanium lenses. IR cameras operating
in the latter band are the most common type used by the military, on
Police helicopters and those commercially available at an affordable
cost. Such as
https://www.flir.co.uk/products/flir-one-edge-pro/
In general these cameras will not see through glass but will see a
(live) body covered in a black plastic rubbish sack.
How mwnay of these devices can connect to my home LAN via wireless and interact with a desktop app (not interested in smartphone usage).
On Sun, 02 Mar 2025 18:01:18 +0000, Tim Streater wrote:
On 2 Mar 2025 at 17:31:04 GMT, "alan_m" <[email protected]> wrote:
On 02/03/2025 15:02, N_Cook wrote:
On 02/03/2025 13:49, Jeff Layman wrote:A typical visible band camera with glass lenses see IR to perhaps to
Did you mean perspex rather than polythene as you mention a box?
Polythene is, however, transparent to IR, so putting a small poly bag >>>>> round the whole camera would be a simple way to test if it helps.
Been there done that years ago, glass and perspex IIRC block IR but
even black polythene bin bag material allows a PIR to work
interestingly. Whatever you use has to be some distance from the
camera, presumably so water drops/mites are only 1 pixel across at
most.
1um assuming it has no IR blocking filter. With a typical security
camera the scene will be illuminated with IR lighting which is
invisible to the human eye and the camera will pick anything in the IR
band that the camera sensor is sensitive to.
This type of camera will not see through a black polythene bag.
True IR cameras works typically in the 3 to 5um band or the 8 to
12/14um band and generally have germanium lenses. IR cameras operating
in the latter band are the most common type used by the military, on
Police helicopters and those commercially available at an affordable
cost. Such as
https://www.flir.co.uk/products/flir-one-edge-pro/
In general these cameras will not see through glass but will see a
(live) body covered in a black plastic rubbish sack.
How mwnay of these devices can connect to my home LAN via wireless and
interact with a desktop app (not interested in smartphone usage).
This particular device is App only.
I would love to have it available to a PC (or several) but presumably the market is mainly for people out and about with a phone to be able to see intruders (and shout at them).
Although I think there may be support for a protocol which can be
implemented on a PC.
Although I think there may be support for a protocol which can be
implemented on a PC.
You can also use a android emulator on a PC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kOBv5QHNRE
On 02/03/2025 10:19, David wrote:<snip>
On Sat, 01 Mar 2025 21:23:53 +0000, alan_m wrote:
On 01/03/2025 20:19, David wrote:
Our security camera is having an issue some nights.
The motion sensor is triggered by what looks like a swarm of very
small insects in front of the lens.
I thin that this is actually the reflection of the built in light
from small drops of moisture in the air.
This is the camera <https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09B44P6C2?>
As I understand it, in the dark without an external light source it
provides its own IR light.
It does have an inbuilt light as well but I don't use it at the
moment.
Apart from an external IR light source, does anyone have any
suggestions?
I have camera from the same manufacturer and model range. The only
reliable triggering mode is the "AI" human body recognition. Other
modes are triggered by spiders, spider webs, flying insects, rain,
wind blown branches etc.etc.
These cameras although being very low power consumption seem to
provide enough warmth, or the ir light attracts a few insects, to make
them a favoured home for spiders.
I am using the camera to monitor our hedgehog visitors so human body
recognition wouldn't be much help, sadly.
Exactly the reason I bought a 'security' camera[1].
It does pick up the odd hedgehog, but far more often it's cats (we no
longer have cats of our own) and, this morning, three chickens (neither
we nor our close neighbours keep chickens).
On Sun, 02 Mar 2025 18:32:21 +0000, Sam Plusnet wrote:
On 02/03/2025 10:19, David wrote:<snip>
On Sat, 01 Mar 2025 21:23:53 +0000, alan_m wrote:
On 01/03/2025 20:19, David wrote:
Our security camera is having an issue some nights.
The motion sensor is triggered by what looks like a swarm of very
small insects in front of the lens.
I thin that this is actually the reflection of the built in light
from small drops of moisture in the air.
This is the camera <https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09B44P6C2?>
As I understand it, in the dark without an external light source it
provides its own IR light.
It does have an inbuilt light as well but I don't use it at the
moment.
Apart from an external IR light source, does anyone have any
suggestions?
I have camera from the same manufacturer and model range. The only
reliable triggering mode is the "AI" human body recognition. Other
modes are triggered by spiders, spider webs, flying insects, rain,
wind blown branches etc.etc.
These cameras although being very low power consumption seem to
provide enough warmth, or the ir light attracts a few insects, to make >>>> them a favoured home for spiders.
I am using the camera to monitor our hedgehog visitors so human body
recognition wouldn't be much help, sadly.
Exactly the reason I bought a 'security' camera[1].
It does pick up the odd hedgehog, but far more often it's cats (we no
longer have cats of our own) and, this morning, three chickens (neither
we nor our close neighbours keep chickens).
We get cats as well.
Mainly one black one.
There has been an escalating battle of wits between me and the cat
(probably comparable intelligence) to allow the hogs to feed without
feeding the cat.
Currently a cardboard vegetable tray/box from the greengrocers with a hole cut in one end and the food down the other so that cat can't reach it with
a paw.
Hole large enough to admit one hedgehog.
We have (at least) two large hogs at the moment.
I know that because I watched on camera as one hog barged the other into a ditch thing between the footings and the block paving.
Last year we had at least four, with some very interesting interactions
which we think were courtship.
If so, hog blokes like to knock their birds around a bit.
Our security camera is having an issue some nights.
The motion sensor is triggered by what looks like a swarm of very small insects in front of the lens.
I thin that this is actually the reflection of the built in light from
small drops of moisture in the air.
This is the camera
<https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09B44P6C2?>
On 05/03/2025 14:58, David wrote:
On Sun, 02 Mar 2025 18:32:21 +0000, Sam Plusnet wrote:
On 02/03/2025 10:19, David wrote:<snip>
On Sat, 01 Mar 2025 21:23:53 +0000, alan_m wrote:
On 01/03/2025 20:19, David wrote:
Our security camera is having an issue some nights.
The motion sensor is triggered by what looks like a swarm of very
small insects in front of the lens.
I thin that this is actually the reflection of the built in light
from small drops of moisture in the air.
This is the camera <https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09B44P6C2?>
As I understand it, in the dark without an external light source it >>>>>> provides its own IR light.
It does have an inbuilt light as well but I don't use it at the
moment.
Apart from an external IR light source, does anyone have any
suggestions?
I have camera from the same manufacturer and model range. The only
reliable triggering mode is the "AI" human body recognition. Other
modes are triggered by spiders, spider webs, flying insects, rain,
wind blown branches etc.etc.
These cameras although being very low power consumption seem to
provide enough warmth, or the ir light attracts a few insects, to make >>>>> them a favoured home for spiders.
I am using the camera to monitor our hedgehog visitors so human body
recognition wouldn't be much help, sadly.
Exactly the reason I bought a 'security' camera[1].
It does pick up the odd hedgehog, but far more often it's cats (we no
longer have cats of our own) and, this morning, three chickens (neither
we nor our close neighbours keep chickens).
We get cats as well.
Mainly one black one.
There has been an escalating battle of wits between me and the cat
(probably comparable intelligence) to allow the hogs to feed without
feeding the cat.
Currently a cardboard vegetable tray/box from the greengrocers with a
hole
cut in one end and the food down the other so that cat can't reach it
with
a paw.
Hole large enough to admit one hedgehog.
We have (at least) two large hogs at the moment.
I know that because I watched on camera as one hog barged the other
into a
ditch thing between the footings and the block paving.
Last year we had at least four, with some very interesting interactions
which we think were courtship.
If so, hog blokes like to knock their birds around a bit.
A small length (6"-9") of 4" underground pipe hot melt glued into a
suitable upturned plastic container has successfully kept the cats from getting the hedgehog food for the last couple of years.
I use the same method when building the hedgehog house.
On 06/03/2025 09:26, wasbit wrote:
On 05/03/2025 14:58, David wrote:
On Sun, 02 Mar 2025 18:32:21 +0000, Sam Plusnet wrote:
On 02/03/2025 10:19, David wrote:<snip>
On Sat, 01 Mar 2025 21:23:53 +0000, alan_m wrote:
On 01/03/2025 20:19, David wrote:
Our security camera is having an issue some nights.
The motion sensor is triggered by what looks like a swarm of very >>>>>>> small insects in front of the lens.
I thin that this is actually the reflection of the built in light >>>>>>> from small drops of moisture in the air.
This is the camera <https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09B44P6C2?>
As I understand it, in the dark without an external light source it >>>>>>> provides its own IR light.
It does have an inbuilt light as well but I don't use it at the
moment.
Apart from an external IR light source, does anyone have any
suggestions?
I have camera from the same manufacturer and model range. The only >>>>>> reliable triggering mode is the "AI" human body recognition. Other >>>>>> modes are triggered by spiders, spider webs, flying insects, rain, >>>>>> wind blown branches etc.etc.
These cameras although being very low power consumption seem to
provide enough warmth, or the ir light attracts a few insects, to
make
them a favoured home for spiders.
I am using the camera to monitor our hedgehog visitors so human body >>>>> recognition wouldn't be much help, sadly.
Exactly the reason I bought a 'security' camera[1].
It does pick up the odd hedgehog, but far more often it's cats (we no
longer have cats of our own) and, this morning, three chickens (neither >>>> we nor our close neighbours keep chickens).
We get cats as well.
Mainly one black one.
There has been an escalating battle of wits between me and the cat
(probably comparable intelligence) to allow the hogs to feed without
feeding the cat.
Currently a cardboard vegetable tray/box from the greengrocers with a
hole
cut in one end and the food down the other so that cat can't reach it
with
a paw.
Hole large enough to admit one hedgehog.
We have (at least) two large hogs at the moment.
I know that because I watched on camera as one hog barged the other
into a
ditch thing between the footings and the block paving.
Last year we had at least four, with some very interesting interactions
which we think were courtship.
If so, hog blokes like to knock their birds around a bit.
A small length (6"-9") of 4" underground pipe hot melt glued into a
suitable upturned plastic container has successfully kept the cats from
getting the hedgehog food for the last couple of years.
I use the same method when building the hedgehog house.
How do you keep the rats out?
For my birdfeeder, 2 semispherical hanging baskets clipped together,
fine mesh in the lower half,lets out rain and keeps pigeons off. Fixed
to a greasy pole with ring pull bean can tops draped loosely around the
pole keeps the rats off, but a ground level feeder for hogs, I've no idea
On 06/03/2025 10:25, N_Cook wrote:
On 06/03/2025 09:26, wasbit wrote:
On 05/03/2025 14:58, David wrote:
On Sun, 02 Mar 2025 18:32:21 +0000, Sam Plusnet wrote:
On 02/03/2025 10:19, David wrote:<snip>
On Sat, 01 Mar 2025 21:23:53 +0000, alan_m wrote:
On 01/03/2025 20:19, David wrote:
Our security camera is having an issue some nights.
The motion sensor is triggered by what looks like a swarm of very >>>>>>>> small insects in front of the lens.
I thin that this is actually the reflection of the built in light >>>>>>>> from small drops of moisture in the air.
This is the camera <https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09B44P6C2?>
As I understand it, in the dark without an external light source it >>>>>>>> provides its own IR light.
It does have an inbuilt light as well but I don't use it at the >>>>>>>> moment.
Apart from an external IR light source, does anyone have any
suggestions?
I have camera from the same manufacturer and model range. The only >>>>>>> reliable triggering mode is the "AI" human body recognition. Other >>>>>>> modes are triggered by spiders, spider webs, flying insects, rain, >>>>>>> wind blown branches etc.etc.
These cameras although being very low power consumption seem to
provide enough warmth, or the ir light attracts a few insects, to >>>>>>> make
them a favoured home for spiders.
I am using the camera to monitor our hedgehog visitors so human body >>>>>> recognition wouldn't be much help, sadly.
Exactly the reason I bought a 'security' camera[1].
It does pick up the odd hedgehog, but far more often it's cats (we no >>>>> longer have cats of our own) and, this morning, three chickens
(neither
we nor our close neighbours keep chickens).
We get cats as well.
Mainly one black one.
There has been an escalating battle of wits between me and the cat
(probably comparable intelligence) to allow the hogs to feed without
feeding the cat.
Currently a cardboard vegetable tray/box from the greengrocers with a
hole
cut in one end and the food down the other so that cat can't reach it
with
a paw.
Hole large enough to admit one hedgehog.
We have (at least) two large hogs at the moment.
I know that because I watched on camera as one hog barged the other
into a
ditch thing between the footings and the block paving.
Last year we had at least four, with some very interesting interactions >>>> which we think were courtship.
If so, hog blokes like to knock their birds around a bit.
A small length (6"-9") of 4" underground pipe hot melt glued into a
suitable upturned plastic container has successfully kept the cats from
getting the hedgehog food for the last couple of years.
I use the same method when building the hedgehog house.
How do you keep the rats out?
For my birdfeeder, 2 semispherical hanging baskets clipped together,
fine mesh in the lower half,lets out rain and keeps pigeons off. Fixed
to a greasy pole with ring pull bean can tops draped loosely around
the pole keeps the rats off, but a ground level feeder for hogs, I've
no idea
You can't.
If the hedgehogs can get to the food so can the rats.
If you make it rat proof you will also prevent the hedgehogs from feeding. There is also the possibility of a stoat or weasel getting to the food.
How do you keep the rats out?
For my birdfeeder, 2 semispherical hanging baskets clipped together,
fine mesh in the lower half,lets out rain and keeps pigeons off. Fixed
to a greasy pole with ring pull bean can tops draped loosely around
the pole keeps the rats off, but a ground level feeder for hogs, I've
no idea
You can't.
If the hedgehogs can get to the food so can the rats.
If you make it rat proof you will also prevent the hedgehogs from feeding. >> There is also the possibility of a stoat or weasel getting to the food.
The only real way to keep rats down is for your (or a neighbour) to have
a cat that's a real hunter.
We had that in a neighbour's cat but she's reached the age where she
can't be bothered, and the young moggies are all too soft and pampered.
Was worried about the cat shit problem upsetting the neighbours but so far
he has just used an allocated raised bed we maintain with frequently
sifted ,raked and replenished fine soil which is more attractive than their gardens. He prefers to explore the adjoining 16 acre field and woodland anyway.
On 09/03/2025 09:08, Marland wrote:
Was worried about the cat shit problem upsetting the neighbours but so far >> he has just used an allocated raised bed we maintain with frequently
sifted ,raked and replenished fine soil which is more attractive than their >> gardens. He prefers to explore the adjoining 16 acre field and woodland
anyway.
That should be a requirement to own any cat. A well maintained outside
cat shitting area on your own property and and access to 16 acres or
field and woodlands :)
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