Moth Light

[Kes79]

Hello!

I was watching Land of the Jaguar last week and they had a blue light shining on a white sheet to attract moths. Is there a type of light that I should use to attract the moths in my local woods or is it just a strong light that I need? I've tried using a torch and the headlights of my little Beetle (car) but it didn't work very well

Thanks in advance

K

[Dan Salter]

Originally Posted by Kes79

Hello!

I was watching Land of the Jaguar last week and they had a blue light shining on a white sheet to attract moths. Is there a type of light that I should use to attract the moths in my local woods or is it just a strong light that I need? I've tried using a torch and the headlights of my little Beetle (car) but it didn't work very well

Thanks in advance

K

Hi Kes...

The easy way is a sheet and a bright torch or lamp like you said but if you tried this with no luck your next bet would be a neon stripilight type bulb which i think they call 'actinic?' or you then move up to a proper moth light which is called an MV (Mercury Vapour) bulb which is very bright indeed and emits light in the ultraviolet scale...
However....the bulbs are about £10-£15 and need special electrics which total to around £70 or more....at which point you might want to consider building a moth trap with it?..

[Kes79]

Wow that was quick!! I went to change the colour to my hair and when I get back there's a reply

I like the idea of having a light and a sheet so I can wrap it up and put it in my boot. I saw a moth trap many years ago and it was huge

The light on TV looked like it was one that you hang up to go down the stairs in the cellar of a bad horror movie. I'd really like a light that's very easy to carry and keep in the boot so I can use it when I'm out in the evening.

Can I buy a mercury vapour torch? How long do the batteries last? Where can I buy one?

[Dan Salter]

Im more impressed you can change your hair colour in that time?


No mercury vapour torches im afraid...

i think you just need to find the brightest most powerful torch you can...they do those '1million candle torches' have a google?...

I have seen the torch and sheet or lamp and sheet work on tv lots so maybe you just got unlucky your first time?

By the way are we talking old or new beetle?...im a sucker for old beetles myself

[Kes79]

I meant changing my profile to my hair colour but I didn't get it right.

It's a new beetle. I like the old beetle but I need to get to work.

The headlamps are very bright so maybe I need to just wait longer for the moths I didn't want to run my battery down. I thought I might park on a hill next time in case I make the battery flat

I'll have a look on google

Thanks

K

[Dan Salter]

Ha ha you sound slighty bonkers...youll do well on WAB

Its a toss up between wasting battery or petrol as you could leave the engine running but thats not a very 'green' option.

I would search for a good torch myself

[NickCantle]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

Its a toss up between wasting battery or petrol as you could leave the engine running but thats not a very 'green' option.

Why would anyone waste petrol to use the headlights? You still use your battery to power the headlights, even when the engine is running- or is that not what you meant?

[Dan Salter]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

Why would anyone waste petrol to use the headlights? You still use your battery to power the headlights, even when the engine is running- or is that not what you meant?

yes but the alternator is not running while the engine is off therefore your lights are just powered by the battery....which wont last very long...(same as car stereo or interior heating fans) which is why in a traffic jam with your engine off...people flatten their batteries as they have the cool fans on full blast and the radio on!..causing more traffic jams!
With engine running the battery is being recharged constantly otherwise your lights would run out on say a 5 hour journey home?...

[NickCantle]

I'm with you now I thought you meant the lights were predominantly powered directly by the engine

[Dan Salter]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

I'm with you now I thought you meant the lights were predominantly powered directly by the engine

Nope ha ha...i just meant if she was scared of her battery going flat she could leave the engine on....rather than parking on a slope....ha ha