yes, i have seen reports of that
and it happened once to my dads VP
I have not seen it yet here,…
it must happen when the tip bucket gets stuck in a certain position…
When you have cleared the web out from around the rain gauge, make sure you get the spider out from the rain collector.
Turn it upside down, and you will probably find the spider is still there. I did the same last week, and within three hours, the spider had tied the see saw up again.
Hi!
Two years or so ago, I had a Palmetto bug (Florida’s name for a huge cockroach) playing seesaw with my tipping bucket which produced rainfall at odd times! I chased him out with roach killer and sprayed the whole VP and the pole it is on. Since then, no problems!
JK, that WD-40 comment gave me an idea. I was just cleaning my rain guage ( fortunately, no spiders, but two hornets) and I was considering using Rain-X on the funnel and buckets to make sure all of the precipitation flows freely.
It’s worth a try. Be interesting to hear how it works. I’ve tried using rain-x on plastic windshields before and it doesn’t seem to be as effective as it is on glass.
I have just been told by a gardener friend of mine that a light smear of grease about 2" wide around your mounting pole will put the spiders off climbing up into your rain gauge.
Not too sure about wd-40, it can cause degregation of delicate electronic parts and some kinds of insulation. Plus, when it does rain, it will run out of the bottom of the gauge drain holes.
As long as your rain collector is cleaned with soapy water regularly, there should be no need to coat it with anything. It will only slow the flow if you get a light film of dust/water/mud, which soapy water will remove.
These spiders are both fiesty and productive. I could have knitted a jumper with these webs. Lots of 'em and very strong, enough to stop the cradle from tipping…
Finally took the plunge and cleared the webs AGAIN, crossed my fingers and gave a good squirt of WD40…
Also smeared my pole with grease around the base of the station
We will see how they like WD40 for supper… :twisted:
Just need another drop of rain to make sure all is functional… :?
That picture is fantastic with the wasp nest…how many wasps it would take to tip the bucket
After reading this thread I pulled my bucket down to clean it and discovered it was plugged with leaves and such…small stuff that wasn’t caught by the grate, but to big to fit thru the hold in the bottom. I go all summer with no rain here so I didn’t mess with it until this past weekend. Good thing I cleaned it out, been raining most of the morning here today.
[quote]Rain rate went through the roof again today
I have been up the ladder again…
These spiders are both fiesty and productive. I could have knitted a jumper with these webs. Lots of 'em and very strong, enough to stop the cradle from tipping…
Finally took the plunge and cleared the webs AGAIN, crossed my fingers and gave a good squirt of WD40…
Also smeared my pole with grease around the base of the station
I got fed up with the spiders in my rain gauge, so I bought a remote transmitter for the anemometer, and moved the ISS so I only need one ladder to clear it. That was about 6 weeks ago, and I too, have had no trouble since then. Perhaps they have got fed up with being hassled, and just moved out!! :lol:
