Bugs in the scope?

[Manok101]

Ok so somehow spiders have found their way into my scope and I was wondering how best to deal with them? They built their web around where my 1st mirror is. So any ideas?

[Moonshane]

just take the primary out and clean them off without touching it. safest bet really.

[jimmyjamjoejoe]

For some reason i pictured a cassegrain when i saw the preview of this post... I wanted to know what people would suggest for that...

But yeah with a newtonian it's as simple as removing the mirror and dusting the buggers out, maybe clean your primary if it needs it. There are plenty of guides out there, usually soapy water, then rinse with distilled water since it has no impurities and won't leave marks, but the general consensus is not to touch the mirror at all.

[topdude]

Isn't there supposed to be a "spider" around the secondary mirror ?

[hemihaggis]

get yourself a gecko ... it could live in your scope and eat.the bugs .............

[rfdesigner]

First reach inside without touching any glass and pull out what's there, use a stick etc. if necessary.

I'm always a fan of doing the minimum first off, less chance of damaging anything.

use covers to keep them out.

I have read of people keeping the cooling fan running 24/7 which is supposed to dissuade spiders.

Derek