Having bugs in your electrical outlets isn’t just an annoyance; it can cause serious electrical hazards and expensive damage. Insects find outlets to be a welcoming home because of the food, shelter and warmth they provide. Protecting your home’s electrical system from bugs is an important first step in avoiding costly repairs.
Understanding the Attractiveness of Electrical Outlets to Bugs
Surprisingly, many kinds of insects find electrical outlets to be rather appealing. Electrical currents create heat, which makes outlets a nice place to hide, particularly in the winter. Shelter is another benefit of outlets. Insects find refuge in these small, dark places, where they are able to evade predators and other household hazards.
Food sources near outlets may also attract some bugs. Ants and cockroaches love to congregate in locations where food waste, such as crumbs or spills, collects around outlets. This is especially true in dining rooms and kitchens.
Dampness is another element that can entice bugs into outlets. Bugs that love moisture, such as roaches and termites, find the perfect habitat in places where pipes are leaking or where there is a lot of humidity, such as around electrical outlets.
Common Bugs Found in Electrical Outlets
There are a variety of bugs that like to hang around in electrical outlets, and they all provide their own set of problems. Ants love to congregate around open flames and food scraps, especially those with sugar in them. It only takes a nest of ants in an outlet for them to quickly spread throughout your house.
Another common pest is the cockroach, which loves the enclosed, dark areas of outlets as a breeding ground. Their droppings pose a threat to electrical contacts because of the potential for corrosion.
When spiders are on the hunt for other insects, they may also venture into outlets. Although spiders rarely damage electrical systems directly, their webs spun inside outlets can wreak havoc on connections.
Termites can cause a lot of damage if they get into the wood around your outlets. They ruin more than just the electrical system; they also damage the house’s framework.
Steps to Safely Eliminate Bugs from Electrical Outlets
After discovering bugs in your electrical outlets, you should handle them with care. The first thing you need to do is assess how serious the problem is. You can do this by figuring out if it’s only a localized infestation or if the bugs have spread to other areas.
Always check the outlets thoroughly before using any do-it-yourself insecticides. Keep in mind that pesticides sprayed straight into an electrical socket pose a serious fire hazard.
For small infestations, the non-toxic boric acid dust works wonders. Applying a small amount around the outlet cover will eradicate certain types of bugs without damaging the electrical system. If the infestation is severe, it is best to bring in the professionals.
Preventive Measures to Bug-Proof Electrical Outlets
Install Outlet Seals
Installing outlet seals offers long-term protection against bugs by forming a tight barrier around outlets, making them inaccessible. Installing gasket seals in outlets entails removing the cover, positioning it behind the outlet and then reattaching it tightly to create a tight fit that prevents pests from entering.
Seal Cracks and Gaps
The tiniest of openings surrounding electrical boxes, baseboards, and walls is a common entry point for bugs entering outlets. If you use caulk to seal these gaps, bugs won’t be able to get in.
Keep Outlets Clean
For pest control, it’s important to clean around your outlets on a regular basis. Pests tend to congregate in places where food scraps, crumbs and other organic matter are present. Keeping the area surrounding your electrical outlets clean and dust-free will discourage bugs from making their homes in the dark and warm confines of the outlets.
Fix Leaks
The presence of moisture, caused by plumbing leaks close to outlets, fosters the invasion of insects. An easy way to keep pests out of your home is to fix leaks as soon as you see them and keep the area surrounding outlets dry.
Use Essential Oils
Some people find that essential oils work well as natural repellents. Applying peppermint oil around outlets, for instance, is a tried-and-true method for keeping pests away. Other essential oils that work for pest control include lavender for repelling moths and citronella for deterring mosquitoes.
Install Weatherproof Covers
Weatherproof covers are great for protecting outdoor outlets from bugs. Covers like this keep outdoor electrical outlets dry, clean and free of debris like bugs and dirt.
Keep Humidity Low
Infestations are more likely to occur in homes with high moisture levels. To maintain low humidity, consider using a dehumidifier in damp areas, like bathrooms and basements.
Use Insect-Repelling Outlet Covers
Covers for electrical outlets that repel insects are an easy method to keep pests at bay. Bugs won’t be able to get inside or build their nests near the outlets because of the specific treatments applied to these covers.
Store Food Properly
Avoid leaving food out in the open, particularly in areas with electricity, such as kitchens and dining rooms. Bugs are less likely to make their way to your outlets as a hiding place if you keep food wrapped and stored correctly.
Regular Pest Control
As part of routine pest treatment, technicians will look for holes and cracks around electrical outlets and other possible entry sites, and they will seal them to keep bugs out. They’ll also apply tailored remedies to those areas to ensure that pests don’t get near electrical outlets or any other susceptible locations.
If you need help keeping bugs out of your electrical outlets, call Mister Sparky today!