tubing and mask bug stories (shudder)

Ted_S · Post by **Ted_S** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 10:06 pm

I've been reading these tales recently and being a good southern boy who understands that it isn't IF but WHEN a critter will make its way where you don't want it (unless you live in the antarctic, maybe) my wife and I came up with BugPlugs (TM).

Go to Lowes or wherever they sell plumbing fixtures and buy two 3/4" by 3/4" PVC couplings (just short plastic tubes)... they run maybe 15 cents apiece, tops. Fold a piece of plastic screen mesh like that used on a window screen over one end of the tube and using some duct tape wrap the edges of the screen to the barrel of the coupling. The goal is to have a short tube with one open end and one end covered with a layer of screen mesh.

When your hose isn't plugged into the machine and to you via your interface, unplug it and push the BugPlug over the end(s) of the hose. It doesn't stretch the hose ends since it fits on the outside and the screen mesh allows the moist tube to breathe and dry out. Voila... no critters sharing your breathing space.

And to think I hadn't even imagined such a problem just a few short weeks ago. Ain't getting older a blast?!

Ted

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 12:09 am

What a clever fix, Ted! You're an official lab rat already...a lab rat doing battle against crawly critters. Very cool!

edited to present Ted_S his trophy, on backorder for so long!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 4:28 pm

I always cover the exposed end with a zip-lock sandwich bag. So easy.

Ted_S · Post by **Ted_S** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 7:38 pm

Anonymous wrote:I always cover the exposed end with a zip-lock sandwich bag. So easy.

But the tube won't breathe and dry out. Mold and mildew are bad for you....

Ted

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 7:50 pm

I figure I live a riske life and tend to not worry about bugs. Of course shaking the hose before use is optional.

Marie · Post by **Marie** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 8:35 pm

Here in southern Louisiana we have these ghekos(?) They look like they have little clear bodies, they are really no color at all, maybe beige?They are about lizard size.
We have had them here ever since Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
I have found a couple of them in my house, and I'm always afraid one of them is going to go up the hoses. And spiders, also, eek.
I think I'll do the Zip-Lock bag solution.

I always check my hoses before I "hook up".

Marie

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 8:53 pm

If you are going to plug the hose, I agree with the viewpoint that you should let it breath and dry out and NOT use plastic bags.

I really like the Bug-Plug(which does indeed get you inducted as an Official Lab Rat). Otherwise I just put a sock over each end with a rubber band to "seal" the socks, which allows breathing but keeps out the critters.

Thats when I am feeling ambitious or traveling to buggy places. For daily use, I hang the hose where it would be tough for bugs to get in...although I give it a quick toot before plugging it in....just to be sure....

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 8:55 pm

Clean socks I hope Snork or I would not want them to breath.

cat-a-tonic · Post by **cat-a-tonic** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 11:08 pm

I cover the openings with those laundry bags you wash your dainties in. They are netted, so air can get through. I suppose fishnet stockings would work too!!! (Boy, I can't wait to hear what kind of comments I get from that last statement!)
.

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 11:19 am

cat-a-tonic wrote:I cover the openings with those laundry bags you wash your dainties in. They are netted, so air can get through. I suppose fishnet stockings would work too!!! (Boy, I can't wait to hear what kind of comments I get from that last statement!)
.

Finally! A use for my old fish net stockings!

CLEAN socks? darn, I knew I was missing something. Maybe THAT explains that strange smell in my CPAP.....

TossinNTurnin · Post by **TossinNTurnin** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 9:14 pm

I've been using a cheesecloth bag with a drawstring...

Kharris · Post by **Kharris** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:02 pm

I had never even thought of this before .... we occaisionaly have lady bugs looking bugs in the house .

Never had a bug..........did have a cathair issue once....

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:34 pm

I live in Seattle, so I think I'm safe from southern creepy crawlies, but I honesly had never given this a thought! Eeeeeeeuuuuuuww!!!!!

Nal · Post by **Nal** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:36 pm

Since I can't edit, I'll post again to say that I do, indeed, know how to spell honestly. Honest!

Dgrendahl · Post by **Dgrendahl** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 7:19 pm

Well, I live in Washington state and don't usually have to worry about such things. However, I have taken to first turning on my system to blow out the hose BEFORE I hook up my mask. Hmmmm....

tubing and mask bug stories (shudder)

tubing and mask bug stories (shudder)

OH THANKS SO MUCH..

Yikes!!!