This post was originally published on August 11, 2020 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

If you have a security camera outside your home, you may notice cobwebs obstructing the view from time to time. In the spring and summer months, when insects are out more, you may be wondering how to keep spider webs off of security cameras outside your house.

The truth is, spiders don’t love your cameras—they love the bugs attracted to the infrared light emitting from your camera. This can be a real issue for homeowners because spider webs not only obstruct visibility but can also trigger false alerts for motion-activated security cameras.

So, what can you do to prevent spider webs, insects, and other bugs from affecting your outdoor security cameras? Read on for tips from our security experts.

How to Keep Spider Webs Off of Security Cameras

There are a variety of ways to keep bugs, insects and spider webs off of security cameras. Here are a few ideas you could try:

  • Apply lubricants to the outside case of your camera. Cover the body and surrounding area of your camera with a lubricant like Teflon spray, silicon, or Vaseline. This will make the camera too slippery for spiders to spin webs on. Just be sure to cover the lens with a paper towel before applying a thin layer of lubricant.
  • Attach a dryer sheet to the camera. Use a rubber band to attach a dryer sheet to the outside of your camera. The strong smell will keep bugs away.
  • Disable the LED lights. Bugs are attracted to the LED lighting around your camera lens. If your camera allows, turn it off.
  • Loop a flea collar around your camera. Flea collars have been known to keep spiders and other bugs away. Consider attaching one around your camera.
  • Spray bug repellent around cameras. To keep bugs away from your outdoor surveillance camera, use bug spray or insecticide around the protective housing of the camera. Here’s a more in-depth guide to help you select the right repellent.
  • Sweep camera areas weekly. Regularly clean the camera’s exterior, housing, enclosures, cover, and shield with a soft-bristled brush to remove existing bugs and webs.
  • Use a fan to prevent spider webs. Consider investing in a low-price computer fan to keep spiders and other bugs at a distance. A fan will prevent spiders from building webs around your lenses and will also keep bugs away.

The tips above aren’t automatic solutions. You may have to repeat them a few times to see results. But, don’t overdo it. Be mindful of pets and young children when spraying pesticides, and ensure your cameras have protective components before applying chemicals and lubricants.

How to Stop Bugs From Triggering Motion Camera

In addition to keeping bugs off your cameras, it’s also recommended that you adjust the camera’s motion detection alert settings. Simply adjusting the threshold of activity that triggers alarms can prevent false detection alerts. This way, you won’t get notified every time a spider or other insect is crawling on your device.

If available, enable your camera’s intrusion mode or configure the settings to only send notifications when something of a certain size is in view for a certain time.

Whether you maintain your home surveillance system, or it's monitored around the clock by a professional security team, it's important to have your cameras professionally installed for the best lifetime performance.

Contact a trusted security expert today to get started.