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How To Get Roaches Out of Electronics

Roaches

If there’s one thing cockroaches love more than scurrying around looking for food, it’s the dark warm spaces inside our electronics.

So, if you haven’t been paying attention to your computer, gaming console, or refrigerator, chances are these pests are inhabiting it!

Now, how do you get roaches out of your electronics?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Here are five simple ways to get rid of roaches from your electronics:

  1. Perform a thorough cleaning
  2. Blow them out with air pressure
  3. Roach bait and traps
  4. Freeze them
  5. Call in the pros

Most of these methods are quite simple, and you can do them yourself.

So let’s talk about why cockroaches like to hide in electronics and how you can get rid of them for good!

Why Are There Roaches in Electronics?

Roach

Cockroaches love dark, compact, and warm spaces.

Even though many people clean their appliances regularly, they don’t go into the details of cleaning every nook and cranny.

Given a chance, cockroaches will quickly infest the deep interiors of appliances such as:

  • Refrigerators and washing machines
  • Microwaves and toasters
  • Gaming consoles and computers
  • Dishwashers
  • Coffee machines

But why are these electronics the perfect hiding spots for roaches? The reasons are as follows:

  • An easy pathway to scavenge for food.
  • Ample room to breed and lay their eggs.
  • The heat given off keeps them nice and warm.
  • These electronics are stationary and are hardly ever taken apart
  • Roaches can remain undetected for a long time.

5 Ways To Get Rid of Roaches

Let’s get into the details of getting roaches out of your electronics. We’ll throw in a few extra tips to keep them away for good.

Let’s go!

1. Thorough Cleaning

Cleaning

The best way to keep cockroaches and insects from ever invading your electronics is to clean them regularly.

You don’t have to disassemble the devices every time you clean. Simply wipe off any leftover particles or bits and pieces of food.

This way, you won’t give the cockroaches a reason to make it their new home.

Additionally, you can follow the instructions in the user’s manual for the appliance to disassemble it. This will allow you to perform a thorough cleaning.

Make sure to use at least 96% isopropyl alcohol to remove the droppings, eggs, and roaches.

BE CAREFUL

If you’re taking apart your electronic device for cleaning purposes, make sure you’re not voiding the manufacturer’s warranty!

2. Blow Them Out

Computer

This method literally blows pests out of your electronics. You can use a household pressure blower or an air pressure canister.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Make sure to do all the blowing and blasting outdoors. You don’t want all the feces, eggs, and the roach themselves spreading inside your house and finding new hiding spots.

Before blowing the roaches out, make sure to read the owner’s manual for any sensitive components that might get damaged due to air pressure cleaning.

If you’re using a pressurized air can, use a narrow tip to blow the insects out from every nook and cranny.

TIP

Using an air blower regularly will keep your electronics roach-free. Cleaning once every week or two weeks is a good habit.

3. Roach Bait & Traps

Roach Trap

You can use baits and traps specifically made to lure out, trap, and kill cockroaches. These gels and glue traps should be laid near areas where you suspect the insects to be hiding.

Eventually, they have to come out to scavenge for food and once they do, snap! They’re either stuck in the glue trap or are lured to the poisonous bait.

Place these around the electronics before going to bed, and in the morning, you’ll find the roaches either trapped in the glue or lying motionless.

Do this daily and soon you’ll be roach-free!

CAUTION

Place these gels and glue traps out of reach of kids and pets!

4. Freeze

Frozen

Cockroaches thrive in humidity and warmth, so a taste of true freezing temperatures is sure to send them on their way!

NOTE

This method only applies to small to medium-sized electronic items that can fit in your freezer.

Before placing the gadget in cold temperatures, wrap it air-tight so the pests can’t escape into your appliance.

Keep it in the freezer for at least 3 to 4 days. Once exposed to the extreme cold of your refrigerator unit, the roaches will start dying off.

After 3 to 4 days, take the wrapped electronic unit out and open it up. You’ll see all the roaches lying cold and frozen.

WARNING

Make sure it’s safe for the electronic device to be kept in the freezer!

5. Call in the Pros

Exterminator

If all things fail and you still see these pesky pests scurrying around your house, it’s time to call in the pros!

Sometimes the infestation can be so massive that none of the above-mentioned ways will be of much help.

This is because once the cockroach epidemic reaches its max, these pests will be in almost every dark corner of your house.

At such a high level of infestation, they can get relentless. No matter how hard you try, some way or the other, they’ll find a way back.

If you want to get rid of these nuisances, you’ll have to take extra measures by making sure that the roaches do not return.

After all, what’s the point of all the cleaning and hassle if your electronic devices end up a few weeks later with new tenants?

In such a situation, the only way out is to call in professionals to perform a complete fumigation of your house. These little insects can cause much harm if not exterminated as soon as possible!

Summary

Cockroaches may seem small and harmless, but they are a menace that can ruin your appliances. You need to get rid of roaches from your electronics ASAP with the following methods:

  1. Thoroughly clean your electronics regularly!
  2. Blow them out with air pressure (once every week or after two weeks!)
  3. Use cockroach bait and traps
  4. Freeze the appliances
  5. Call in professional help (if all else fails!)

So, if you’re seeing a few of these pests scurrying around while you’re reading this, it’s time to get cracking and get rid of these bugs for good!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Cockroaches Mess Up My Electronics?

Yes! Roaches can damage internal wires and components by dropping their feces, shedding their skins, and laying eggs all over the place.

This can cause the internal components to get jammed, short-circuit, or overheat.

Can I Spray Cockroach Killer Spray Inside My Electronics?

It is not advisable to spray insect-killer liquid inside your electronics as it can lead to fire and internal components damage.

Are There Any Smells That Keep Roaches Away?

Yes! You can use any citrus oil or go for pure cypress oil, cedarwood oil, and peppermint oil to keep the roaches at bay.

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