Moths

EDV

EDV

Well-known member
Hey guys,

How do you keep moths away from the lights? I am shooting a music video outdoors at night, (using the Cool lights LED Panels) and just noticed this problem. I tried to put some baking paper on them (attached to the barndoors) and it works, but even though the paper is semi-transparent it blocks the light significantly - maybe up to 50%. I can't afford to lose that much light so I may not use that option.

I wonder if anyone's tried naphtalene or any or the other repellants known.

Worst case scenario: if a large moth dives right into the LED lights, could that cause some damage to the lights? And if they start dying inside the panel, how is this cleaned afterwards ? (I think it is unsafe to touch the LED lights)


thanks in advance,


EDV
 
You cant. They wont cause any damage to your gear unless maybe your in the safari or something crazy. I killed over 20 moths in a softbox over 4 hours and the gear was gross but fine.
 
I suggest attaching frogs to the outside of the lights with clamps on both of their feet. Perhaps 6-8 frogs should do it to cover the entire perimeter of a light. Be sure to have another 16+ frogs on standby, though, as your assistant will need to swap frogs out regularly to keep them from burning up or getting too tired. However, if you're using LED heat probably isn't a major issue.

Also, don't forget to include the frogs in your crafty budget - nothing worse for a production than grumpy frogs! Except, of course, grumpy goats, but that's another issue altogether...
 
Bigger lights.

Only half joking. If you can get a bug-zapper light out there for a few days in advance, you'll cut down on the insect life temporarily. Also, moths like yellow light less than blue and filtering out UV could help.
 
We once did a similar shoot at night with three 1.2K hmis... we had over a thousand bugs in front of the lights all night long. We had two zappers running as well as a run through with bug spray every 5 minutes but, although the ground looked like some twisted insect holocaust, they never lessened in numbers. It was pretty amazing... but they never effected the lighting on the scene, aside from grossing out some of the backup dancers...

My favorite part was daring the key grip to run through the swarm without a shirt on.
 
Actually 4 out of 5 moths prefer the Cool Lights LED 600 to the competition so thats your first problem. Anyway while I don't recommend touching the LEDs, I doubt that the moths can cause too much problem. The air vents on top and bottom aren't large enough for one to get in and the LED panel itself is actually fairly tough. I wouldn't put any chemicals like naphthalene anywhere near the circuit board though. If you could hang some near the fixture that would be better. Maybe we better build a model with one of those bug zappers on it for use out in the wild...
 
moths are fun! I had 2k of light outside the other day and next thing I know one is on fire in my 1k! Good times.
 
Richard, I'm not worried about the moths dying inside the LED Panel, as you said the air vents are narrow. But if they start piling up where the lamps are that may cause some problems.

If the moths get electrocuted or burnt by the lamps could this potentially cause damage or malfunction, given that the moths will keep "attacking" the lamps over and over again?

Even if the moths don't cause any actual damage, how would you clean the lamps afterwards? (assuming touching them is unsafe)
 
I don't see them getting electrocuted as 1). this is low voltage DC; 2). this contacts for the LEDs are hidden underneath them; 3). the LEDs themselves are covered with a tough epoxy coating. That won't be the issue. I would clean the panel with a soft brush, like a paint brush or one of those large makeup brushes. Should make it easy to brush in between the rows and columns. Touching the LEDs with a soft brush should be okay.

If you have to use a liquid, don't use anything other than Isopropyl Alcohol 70% grade which is what we use to clean them after the soldering process is finished. Just use a cotton type swab (like Q-Tip is one brand) dipped in some of the alcohol and lightly clean away the mess between the LEDs).
 
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I did some insect surveys in the past and we would use blacklights and mercury vapor for the most part. What some are saying here is true, most insects are attracted to certain types of light.

I can't say if this will work for sure but try setting up a decoy. When we lit for insects we would find a flyway or corridor where we hypothesized insects would fly to reach suitable habitats. We would set up our batteries or generator there and tie a string between two trees, hang a sheet on it with c-47s, and shine a mercury vapor light on it. This not only gives a broader light surface (to attract them to) but it also gives them a destination (for lack of better words.) In other words most stop flying and congregate on the sheet because it doesn't burn them. Some species even pile up on each other and form a mass at the bottom that would inspire fantastic horror movies plots!
 
I was only half joking when I said they preferred the LED 600. It does seem common sense they would prefer something they won't burn themselves on but is still so bright that it attracts them to it. Try the decoy.
 
newtmitch said:
I suggest attaching frogs to the outside of the lights with clamps on both of their feet. Perhaps 6-8 frogs should do it to cover the entire perimeter of a light. Be sure to have another 16+ frogs on standby, though, as your assistant will need to swap frogs out regularly to keep them from burning up or getting too tired. However, if you're using LED heat probably isn't a major issue.

Also, don't forget to include the frogs in your crafty budget - nothing worse for a production than grumpy frogs! Except, of course, grumpy goats, but that's another issue altogether...
Click to expand...

I appreciated this. Lmao. But perhaps you could train bats or something. That might actually work lol.
 
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