Re: Backyard critters in the observatory (was Getting a bigger telescope )

I think that you could write a book on the subject...... so I'll not
get into any boring detail on the list.

In my case, due to the design of my building, I finally decided that
rather than keep the critters out, I'd recofigure my space to allow
for their mischievious deeds.

I've had all manner of critters get in there. The most devious have
been the large field mice we have here. They would get into
everything, crap all over my shelves, chew up any papers, build nests
in the mount, etc.

I took out the tool chest that I used to keep equipment in and
replaced it with two Sterilite plastic drawer units that the mice
can't get in to. I keep them away from the wall where the mice woud
otherwise nest. I cleared out anything I had stored in there. I took
out all the shelves and replaced only the two that I really need (one
for the computer and one for the eyepiece case) with wire shelving. I
covered any openings in the mount with sticky backed UHMW plastic.
There is now nowhere in the building where they want to nest. That
deals with most of the mouse problem.

To keep the birds from crapping on my scopes, I cover them with a
heavy weight cover.... but not one in easy reach from the mice.

I keep a 5 gallon bucket with 5 inches of water inside and set it next
to the wall. It is the only mice trap that really works HERE.

When I enter the building, I always check for mud wasps and deal with
them right away. That means I have to go out there at least every week
or so.

I keep a vacuum cleaner in the building to clean up when I want to. I
keep cleaning cloths and spray in a plastic container.

I've also been cracking the lid a bit during these hot days and
leaving the door open to keep the heat down. Heat will wreak havoc on
the wood. I have no idea what it does to nice telescopes.... but just
in case. When I am at home, the door is almost always left fully open
to keep the heat down and to give the critters an easy way out. The
bats won't move in with light coming in through the door.

Spiders? I love 'em. They eat all the other bugs. So I leave the
spiders alone.

Every situation is different. No single solution will work for
everyone. If you were thinking of building an observatory, I'd make a
number of other suggestions. But .... this is already too long.

Michelle

On Mon, Jun 29, 2009 at 12:40 PM, James Miller<jsmiller58@No-Spam> wrote:
> Michelle,
>
> I have a 15' dome in the backyard, but so far it has not experienced a
> significant pest invasion...  However, that may only be a matter of time as
> it has been up for a bit more than a year.  Any thoughts on how to
> critter-proof an observatory would be welcome...
>
> Actually, I do have one issue, and that is spiders in the observatory.  I
> want to get rid of them, but don't think it is a good idea to spray with the
> OTA in there.  Any suggestions, or do I have to bite the bullet and remove
> the OTA?
>
> James
>
> ________________________________
> From: Jay Reynolds Freeman <jay_reynolds_freeman@No-Spam>
> To: TAC mailing list <tac@No-Spam>
> Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 12:28:19 PM
> Subject: Re: [TAC] Backyard critters in the observatory (was Getting a
> bigger telescope )
>
> I remember Ellie Gates saying that occasionally a raccoon gets
> into the 120-inch dome at Lick ...
>
> I would be interested in Michelle's recommendations, it would
> be interesting to have them in the TAC archives.
>
> --  Jay Reynolds Freeman
> ---------------------
> Jay_Reynolds_Freeman@No-Spam
> http://web.mac.com/jay_reynolds_freeman (personal web site)
>
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