How to Get Roaches Out of Electronics

Friends-gathering to play videogames

Cockroaches are pretty hard to cope with no matter where they nest. That’s because they hide in dark and narrow places that are hard to reach.

Apart from pantries, kitchen sinks, and furniture, cockroaches also like to live in electronic devices and appliances – yes, even in your Xbox console and Samsung Smart TV. Not only do they nest there, but they also cause damage to the wirings.

The good thing is that you can get rid of these pests from electronic devices in various methods. The first step is to identify their presence, place baits, and vacuum them off. In addition, diatomaceous earth (DE), boric acid, and multiple other substances also work wonders in kicking roaches out of electronics.

Let’s learn more about getting roaches out of your electronic appliances.

Why Do Cockroaches Live in Electronics?

Cockroaches live in those places where they find shelter, food, and water. Electronic devices have tiny hollow spaces inside them, serving as the best hiding places for cockroaches.

Cockroaches are considered thigmotropic pests, which means they are attracted to small, solid spaces that perfectly fit their bodies.

They are also sensitive to touch. So, the narrower the space, the more favorable conditions for roaches to grow. In addition, tight spaces also make roaches feel warm and more comfortable.

The exoskeletons of these pests can also be flattened to facilitate them adjusting to the small gaps. This position makes their size almost 1/4 of their standing height. Unfortunately, electronic devices have the exact size of gaps to make roaches feel safe and cozy.

Here are some common electronic appliances cockroaches prefer to live in:

  • Computers
  • Keyboards
  • TVs
  • Microwaves
  • Dishwashers
  • Toasters
  • Washing machines
  • Coffee makers
  • Ceiling fans
  • Fridge
  • ACs
  • Gaming consoles
  • DVD players

Roaches generally prefer those devices that offer:

  • Warmth. Electronic devices produce heat when they are plugged into a power source.
  • Comfort. Cockroaches like those devices that usually stay in one place, such as refrigerators, computers, and ACs.
  • Silence. Most electronic devices produce a quiet, gentle sound that cockroaches love.
  • Darkness. Small spaces in the electronic devices don’t allow any light to get in. So cockroaches prefer to live in such places to stay undetected.
  • Nutrition. Kitchen appliances are usually close to food sources, making it easier for roaches to access food and water.
  • Space for Reproduction. Hollow spaces in electronic devices serve as the best place for roaches to lay eggs and protect them.

Do Roaches Destroy Electronics?

Man-Disinfecting-Steering-Wheel from cockroaches

Roaches ruin the basic functioning of your electronics. Although they don’t cut off or eat the wirings, they cause severe disruptions in devices’ critical parts. Some of these damages include:

  • Overheating due to blocked air vents
  • Burned out circuit boards
  • Jammed internal functions due to cockroaches stacking up
  • Short circuits because of eggs laid in the crucial parts

Roaches’ mouths and body glands also produce secretions that can corrode the wiring and receptacles of their outlets. This may ignite electrical fires in your electronics. However, this is only the worst-case scenario that rarely happens.

Smaller electronic devices, like toasters and gaming consoles, are more likely to be affected by roach infestations. That’s because they have more hollow parts than big ones.

In addition, cockroaches love foods, sweets, and starch. So, they may also attack your washing machine and refrigerators in search of food and starch remnants.

You may not notice any difference in your electronic device at first. The signs of damage usually appear after days, which cannot be fixable.

What Types of Cockroaches Live in Electronics?

Cockroaches-eating bread in a cupboard

All cockroaches can invade your electronics as they are generally attracted to similar things – food, water, and shelter. The most common ones are:

American Cockroaches

These household cockroaches are more drawn to warm and dark places, especially females. This is because they can fit into smaller spaces and lay their eggs comfortably.

German Cockroaches

These species can squeeze into spaces that are only 1/8th inch long. They can take their place in the back of electronic devices and adjust there. German cockroaches are less likely to attack electronic devices as they prefer other spots.

Brown-Banded Cockroaches

This type of cockroach is relatively smaller than the other two. This means they have a higher chance of invading your electronic devices. Moreover, they are not picky when it comes to their habitat, so expect them inside your toasters and gaming consoles.

Can You Get Roaches Out of Electronics?

You can surely get roaches out of your electronic devices in various ways. However, you must first confirm the nested areas to eradicate them effectively. Keep in mind that there is no perfect solution for every electronic device, so try the following method if one fails.

The most effective ways to get roaches out of electronic devices are:

Use Your Tech Knowledge

Things will be relatively easier for you if you’re a tech-savvy person. You can simply use the manual guide of the roach-infested appliance and take out the device’s main parts one by one.

Then, clean the roach infestation with a cloth or paper towel. Assemble the components again once you’re done. Don’t try this method if you’re unsure how to put the parts back on.

Dust Baits

Like every living being, cockroaches also need proper food and water supply to survive in any habitat. So, they come out of electronic devices in search of food. That’s when you can place dust traps in their way to poison them whenever they walk over them.

These traps or baits work effectively when applying them around the electronic device. Never place the trap inside the appliance; always put it underneath or close to it.

Alternatively, you can set these traps near the roaches’ food source or power outlets.

When one cockroach walks over these traps, the poison will attach to its body. If it dies on the spot, other cockroaches will feed on its body, consume the poison, and die.

However, if the cockroach survives, it will poison others after returning to the nest. As a result, the entire infestation can die.

Bait Traps

Like dust traps, bait traps also work effectively to get roaches out of the electronics. They poison the roach when it comes in contact with the trap.

Roaches are usually attracted to a particular smell. The bait traps available in the market use a gel with the same odor to lure roaches.

However, unlike dust baits, you can place these bait traps way closer to electronics. So, place a quality bait trap next to your electronic device, so the cockroach won’t live any other minute after coming out.

Boric Acid

Boric acid has been used to kill roaches for years. Yet, not many people like to have boric acid inside their homes. If that’s the case, you can simply buy this effective pest killer from your nearest store. Now, sprinkle it around your electronics and sit back till the cockroach consumes it.

If dust form doesn’t work, you can also combine boric acid with other mix-ins. For example, mix the compound with peanut butter or sugar and place them near the electronic device. Cockroaches love these ingredients, so they will surely lure into eating them.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

It is a fine powder extracted from microscopic, fossil algae and several aquatic organisms. For years, diatomaceous earth has been used as a pest control method that works wonders in killing cockroaches.

The DE powder attacks the exoskeleton of the roaches as soon as it touches their bodies. It also draws essential water, oils, and fats from the roaches’ bodies until they die. Generally, it takes around 2-3 weeks for the DE to kill these pests.

The diatomaceous earth (DE) is a natural compound, so it’s safe to use around kids and pets.

Cold Conditions

As you know, cockroaches love warmth. So, they dislike cold temperatures. Therefore, creating cold environments in smaller, inexpensive appliances is easier and more effective than large and heavy ones.

You can use this method in:

  • Coffee machines
  • Gaming devices
  • Microwaves
  • Toasters

Here is how you can cool down your electronics:

  1. First, remove the appliance from the power outlet and shut it down.
  2. Then, place it in a large plastic air-tight bag. Make sure it’s water-tight too.
  3. Leave a little space in the bag for roaches to escape.
  4. The next step is to put the bag in the freezer. You can also put it in another cold room, such as an outhouse and garage. Just make sure the ideal temperature stays between 50-35 °F.
  5. Wait for around 4-5 days to let the roaches get out of the device.

The bag’s temperature will get cold enough to push the cockroaches out of the electronic device. Once they come out, the plastic bag traps them and suffocates them to death. The coldness may also slow down the roaches.

Professional Pest Control

The methods mentioned above work effectively to get cockroaches out of electronic devices. However, they may not be effective in eliminating them from your home. Even if you remove the roaches from your electronics, they are more likely to attack the devices again.

If this keeps happening, it’s better to call a professional pest control service. Of course, this method is relatively more costly, but it is undoubtedly less time-consuming and frustrating.

These professionals know how to remove cockroaches from the electronics and prevent them from infesting the devices again. So, always take notes of their instructions and implement them properly.

Can You Use Raid on Electronics?

You can not use Raid to remove roaches from electronic devices, even though it is a commonly-used insecticide. It kills irritating pests, including flies, wasps, roaches, and ants.

However, it is a liquid with a thick, waxy textured spray. When you spray it, it becomes an aerosol and causes:

  • Short circuit in the device as it is a liquid spray
  • Corrosion and permanent deterioration
  • Waxy build-up

Raid is a powerful insecticide to kill roaches. So, you can use it around your electronics to prevent the roaches from entering them.

Does a Bug Bomb Eliminate Roaches From Electronics?

A bug bomb can eliminate roaches, but you shouldn’t use them on electronics.

Scientists at Envista Forensics found that bath bombs comprise water traces. As a result, the water droplets may settle on the electronics once the bug bomb is consumed. This may cause circuit board corrosion, electronic failure, or long-term deterioration.

Besides, bug bombs also contain flammable substances, such as ethylene bromide, chlorine dioxide, and methyl bromide. When these chemicals enter your electronics, they are more likely to cause a fire.

Bug bombs are chemicals that release aerosol to kill pests. They fumigate the environment and kill any roach that comes in that premise. They work effectively on large pests infestations by reaching narrow nooks and cracks.

How To Prevent Roaches From Infesting Electronics?

Killing roaches isn’t enough; you’ll need to take additional steps to ensure they never return to your home. The best way is to regularly clean every corner of your home and discard food and water traces.

When roaches don’t find any food or water sources, they don’t enter your home. You can deep clean your electronics in the following ways:

  • Take a damp cloth and wipe all food and grease remains from your eating place.
  • Shut down your devices after using them or cover them with a cloth.
  • Ensure to clean narrow spaces in your kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms.

Cleaning is effective, but you can also use natural repellents to prevent roaches from entering your electronics. Roaches usually hate the smell of:

  • Lemon
  • Cedarwood
  • Cypress
  • Eucalyptus
  • Catnip
  • Oregano
  • Rosemary
  • Peppermint
  • Bay leaves

You can place these roach repellents in containers and put them around your electronic devices to deter the pests. Follow this procedure as soon as you spot a single cockroach roaming around to prevent them from entering. The longer you’ll wait, the more damage roaches can cause.

FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions related to getting roaches out of electronics:

How to Get Roaches Out of Appliances and Electronics?

You can use boric acid, dust baits, bait traps, diatomaceous earth (DE), and professional pest control to help get roaches out of appliances and electronics. Besides, you can also create cold conditions to make roaches uncomfortable enough to get out of the devices on their own.

Should I Use Raid to Kill Roaches in Electronics?

No, you shouldn’t use Raid to kill roaches in electronics. Although Raid is a powerful insecticide, it’s a liquid turning into a thick and waxy spray. Once you use it on your electronics, it becomes an aerosol that damages your devices.

How to Get Roaches Out of TV and Xbox?

You can use baits, traps, boric acid, diatomaceous earth (DE), and natural repellents to get roaches out of TV and Xbox. It’s better to never use anything directly on your electronics. Instead, use these roach killers around your devices, so roaches come in contact with these chemicals when they come out for food and water.

Final Thoughts

Roaches can cause immense damage to your costly electronic devices. They prefer to live in hollow, dark, warm, and tight places inside the electronics. These conditions are comfortable for them to reproduce, nourish, and grow in numbers.

Roaches overheat your devices by blocking air vents. They can also burn circuit boards and pile up in the critical components.

You can get rid of these annoying creatures with boric acid, dust traps, baits, diatomaceous earth (DE), and natural repellents. In addition, make sure to deep clean your home and appliances regularly to prevent roaches in the long run.