Last Updated March 11th, 2023: The insides of electronic devices provide an ideal surrounding for roaches to stay warm, defecate and lay eggs. And if you don’t get them out of there, these pests will end up causing problems, including blocked components and even damages to the circuit board, which will cost you a lot of money for repairs. Thankfully we have the solution, here’s how to get roaches out of electronics!
This article looks at different ways you can get roaches out of electronic devices and the ways you can prevent roaches in the future.
Why Do Cockroaches Go Into Electronics?
Well, cockroaches like electronic devices because the running electricity inside the device makes them warm. Thus, they are more likely to crawl into any appliance you use often, as long as there are openings from which they can get in.
These are some signs that roaches have made a home inside your electronics:
- Presence of feces, roach eggs, or cockroaches inside the openings or power supply port areas.
- An odd and mushy smell coming from the device.
If possible, you can remove the electronic’s casing to check if there are any of these pests. But make sure that doing so won’t affect the warranty.
5 Ways of How To Get Roaches Out Of Electronics
It sounds gross, but cockroaches will occasionally end up inside your electronics because it’s nice and warm and can provide some shelter for them.
As indicated by our tests, these are some ways to remove roaches from electronics:
1. Using Compressed Air
Before using chemicals or anything of that sort, you should try to remove the cockroaches with the help of compressed air.
For this, you’ll need to get a canister of air compressor and apply it in the crevices where you’ve detected the roaches. This will cause the pressurized air inside the can to come out with full force. Even if the air doesn’t physically push the roach out of the electronic, this often will cause a disturbance and scare them out of the electronic.
Try to implement this process outdoors if possible. As you can see, the cockroaches try to escape when thrown off, and they may easily find a place to hide when indoors.
2. Using Roach Gel Bait to Attract Roaches
If you still can’t get roaches out of your electronic device, then you should consider using a roach gel bait. These gel baits work by attracting roaches to the bait, and then once the roaches consume the bait it will kill them within a few hours. I suggest you use Advion Roach Gel Bait because it’s the best in the business and it’s what professional pest control technicians use!
Simply place the gel bait near your infested electronic overnight and hopefully by the morning your infestation will be gone!
3. Freezing the Roaches
Most of the cockroaches that infest electronic devices are german cockroaches, and research shows more than 50% of them will die within an hour at freezing temperatures below 14 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the roaches get inside portable devices such as small gaming consoles, you can consider wrapping the machine in an airtight plastic bag and placing it inside the freezer for a couple of days.
However, before doing this, ensure that neither the appliance nor its components get damaged by the cold temperatures. Be wary of any electronic that has liquid in it, such as those with LCD screens, but generally electronics are safe in the cold as long as it’s only for an hour or two.
4. Using Roach Sprays
Using cockroach sprays is the most straightforward yet risky process of getting roaches out from your machine. And this isn’t only because they can cause bug spray poisoning; if you’re not careful, the spray can also damage your electronics.
When liquid falls on any electric device’s circuit board, it can mess up the path of the electricity conduction inside it, causing a short.
Hence, before using a spray, you’ll need to cut off the power supply. Furthermore, avoid spraying on any part of the appliance with wire. Finally, after everything is done, wait for some hours for the liquid to dry completely before opening the device.
5. With the Help of Boric Acid And Other DIY Solutions
Boric acid can damage a cockroach’s nervous and digestive system and kill it.
To use boric acid, you’ll need to mix it with something sweet and place it near the appliances to lure roaches. And as the cockroaches eat the food, they will also ingest the acid.
Furthermore, some acid can cling to the cockroach’s body. And as the roach returns to its colony, other roaches which come in contact with its body will also get the acid in their system, triggering a chain reaction of death. We are big supporters of DIY solutions for roaches, so take a look at our guide on how to get rid of roaches with home remedies.
But remember that the effect isn’t instant- it may take up to 72 hours for the cockroach to die. Furthermore, this pest control mechanism may not be best for households with children and pets.
Other DIY Solutions:
How to Remove Dead Cockroaches from My Electronic Appliances?
Many of the above procedures involve cockroaches being able to return to the appliance before dying. However, removing them once they are dead is easy; as explained in the first step, you can use pressurized air or run a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter over the parts where there are cockroaches.
If worse comes to worst, you can always disassemble your electronic (if applicable) and remove the dead roach, and then put it back together. I’d recommend looking at some Youtube videos prior to disassembling anything though!
How to Avoid Roaches From Getting Back to Your Appliances
After addressing the roach problem, you’ll have to ensure they don’t return to your electronic devices. Here are some things you can do for it:
Conduct a Thorough Cleaning
Dead roaches emit oleic acid, which has a pungent smell and can attract other cockroaches. Hence, as soon as you’re sure you’ve kicked out every roach from the device, you’ll also need to remove the remains. This includes dead bodies of adult roaches, poops, and eggs.
Final Thoughts On Roaches In Electronics
Finding cockroaches calling your electronics home is disgusting and frustrating. But thankfully it is possible to get these stubborn roaches out of your electronics. Drawing from our experience the best solutions are to use compressed air, and or using roach gel bait is the most effective way on how to get cockroaches out of your electronics!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide on how to get roaches out of electronics!
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