How to Keep Ants away from the Computer

Have you seen ants crawling on your computer and wonder what’re they doing in there? It may sound unusual, but there are tiny ants that love building nests inside electronic devices. In most cases, they are fire ants, crazy ants, and black ants. These species of ants love building their nest inside any electronic device or appliances they can find. And your computer is not an exception.

There are many reasons why ants swarm your computer, and it could be as simple as hygiene. However, it is best to know how you can keep ants away from the computer. Why? It is because these little creatures can destroy your computer in no time at all. Imagine them biting into your computer wires and cause a short circuit. Let’s talk about simple yet effective ways on how to keep ants away from the computer and never come near it again.

Ants and food

Ant is present in one place because of two things; food and shelter. If you see ants crawling on your keyboard, it could because they discovered the crumbs of food that you unknowingly left behind. That is because crumbs from bread and other food particle stick to your hands while eating. And once ants discovered them, you’ll be surprised to see how fast they multiply.

Clean your computer

Always clean your computer every after use. You can buy electronic dusters to make sure that all those cracks do not have leftover foods. Wipe with electronic wipes on the surface to remove the smell of the food if you decide to eat near your computer.

Clean your workspace

Cleaning the area around your computer is also necessary to keep ants away. Make an effort to sweep and mop the floor. Sweeping and mopping will remove any food spoil that ants can discover to keep them away and stay that way. It doesn’t hurt to spray ant repellent around it as well.

Ants and their shelter

Tawny crazy ants are a known species of ants that build their nest inside electronic devices. These ants are smaller than your usual fire ants and can infest your computer faster than you can blink. Once they settle their colony inside your computer, their reproduction rate is so fast that their population can reach thousands in no time. And before they can do permanent damage to your computer and lose all your important documents in there, it is probably best to take necessary actions to keep ants away from the computer.

Ant baits

If you see ants inside your computer or laptop, do not panic. Do not wipe them away with electronic dusters or electronic wipes immediately because they can bite you. And although ant bites are not fatal, it still hurts. What you will be needing is ant bait. You can create a homemade one using borax, water, and sweet-smelling food extract (not cinnamon), or you can buy one from the store. Ant baits attract worker ants and allow them to bring the poison back to the unsuspecting queen killing it in the process. No queen means no colony, and of course, no ants. Once they die, you can now safely remove the nest it created inside the computer.

Cleaning the inside of your computer

If you are using a laptop, it would be best to leave the cleaning to the professionals. Laptops have complicated screw placement, and you might not be able to put them back in one piece. For desktop computers, make sure that the power supply is unplugged before cleaning the inside of your tower.

Gently sweep the ant remains and their nest using a soft brush. Make sure to not disturb any wirings or circuits in the motherboard. Use an electronic duster to remove the remaining dust and ant remains afterward.

Keeping ants away from the computer

Ants can be a nuisance. Even if you have successfully removed the ants from your computer, it doesn’t mean other colonies cannot discover what the former has. After all, they are attracted to electronic devices. It would be best to be ready for them. Here are some methods you can keep ants away from the computer for a long time.

Cinnamon as ant killer

Compounds found in cinnamon are deadly to ants, based on various studies. You can sprinkle the cinnamon powder around the area of your computer or electronic device to keep ants away from it. Aside from cinnamon powder, you can also spray cinnamon oil around it. Ants have a natural aversion to cinnamon and your quick fix against these pesky little creatures.

Using Peppermint oil against ants

Another way to keep ants from your computer is by using peppermint oil. Just like cinnamon, peppermint oil has substances that are toxic to ants and cockroaches. You can spray the area around your computer to keep the ants out. The best thing about this item is that it leaves a fresh minty scent. It is also organic and very safe for humans and pets.

Chemical treatments

As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. Building additional security measures around your house won’t hurt. Ants are relatively small and can move inside cracks on your wall and foundation. To prevent ants from entering your home, you can buy commercial-grade insecticide to treat the perimeter around it. However, as an extra precaution, you need to read the label, direction of use, and caution before using chemicals. They contain toxins that can be fatal to humans and pets alike.

Professional Treatment

And as always, it is best to call a professional exterminator if you think you can’t handle the problem yourself. Besides, tampering with electronic devices can get you electrocuted if you are not careful.

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