Back from a week away in the van. I read on the interweb about fly repellants so I made one... It's simply a clear polythene bag filled with water and hung on a length of string. Apparently flies with there nasty little multi faceted eyes don't like these at all. It appears that they constantly perceive the slight movement of the sparkly water and interpret it as a threat. I was ambivalent, but for a total cost of zero, I thought I'd give it a go. We were completely unbothered by flies for the whole week - so it seems to work - although other factors may have contributed - inconclusive, but I'll try it again. - GR8 On to de-humidifiers You know how it is when you're camping & you fancy a day out in the van or the morning you go home - draw back the curtains & spend a quarter of an hour wiping away all manner of condensation... I bought a couple of these a from Poundshop (it was a while ago & I can't remember what I paid). Draw back the curtains after a particularly exhausting night in the rock n roll for me the wife & the dog & look - a completely clear windscreen! Thrown away before coming home, but worked for the whole week & cheap enough to take a couple to every show & holiday this year. - GR9
I wonder if the plastic bag & water will work with the flies down here, I may give it a go next summer.
good tips on here too http://www.inspiredcamping.com/camping-tricks/ i use the cheapy dehumidifiers but would like something less chemical.
Hey Terrordales, aint you guys given to wearing them hats with the wine bottle corks held on by string, hanging from hat brim to ward off said beasties?(would not work on the Scotch midge thou " !) >if yes , does said system work ?or just Movie stuff ?a boolibong ?>>I think it looks cool !
It works, but the only people you see with them these days are tourists, Steve. As for Scottish midges, I don't think anything short of a thermo nuclear weapon will hold them off
dont know if its available in the UK but the best repellant i have used is a product called bushmans, one variety also has sunscreen added Rob
Another excellent review Bernard, although I must confess that when I read your opening sentence regarding fly repellants, the first thing to catch my eye in the photograph was your good lady wife. Have you considered adding a small quantity of glycerine and coloured glitter to said repellant? A tea light, placed below the bag, at an appropriate distance, would give rise to convection, producing a delightful Kaleidoscope effect...perfect for those autumn nights under canvas.
Thanks for this Vanno, the good lady & I have taken your points on board but have a slight aversion to any more points of potential combustion than is absolutely essential, moreover.... Moving forward, £-land have discontinued these chaps and I have been obliged to purchase a larger, refillable, and better quality effort from a caravan centre for a fiver. New bags of crystals are two quid. The acid test came at Brighton breeze where on both mornings we were able to simply draw back the curtains, tip the collected liquid into a drain, a disturbing quantity, and drive off. You draw your own conclusions.
So are we to assume that that hazy viscous fluid sloshing about in that tub is your accumulated evaporated sweat and lung juice? BUHHhhh! And uhhh, did it smell like jasmine?
Great news on the dehumidifying front Bernard....it has inspired me to consider other home-made applications. Here's one to toy with: Using a suitable tool, carefully unpick some of the stitches at one end of the piping on a pair of Y fronts. Decant approxmately 850 mg of dehumidifying crystals into a container, (make sure the container is free from dust and other detritus). Take a drinking or Art straw and gently suck up the crystals until almost full* Insert straw into the aforementioned piping aperture and blow, using consistent pressure. Continue until the piping forms a pencil sized 'bead' all around your briefs. Securely sew the aperture. Enjoy you Scrota-soakers this summer! * Warning: Dehumidifying crystals can be harmful if swallowed. Children aged 95 and under are advised to seek parental help
Yes, but if you just put them in your mouth a bit, they're like that space dust we used to have as seventies kids, all fizzy on your tongue.
I leave big bags of salt opened or emptied into a tub if the vans likely to get damp. Salt absorbs the moisture & you are left with a solid block of salt after a week or so. I guess it can be reused on the paths in the winter when it's icy.
