No matter how clean you keep your home, bugs can always manage to get in. One area most people don’t think about when it comes to bug infestations is their electrical outlets. Small bugs in your outlets can lead to big problems and pose a risk to your home’s electrical system.
Most Common Bug Species That Get Into Outlets
The most common types of bugs you can expect to see infiltrating your outlets include:
- Ants – Ants are particularly attracted to sweet substances and will usually congregate around kitchen pantries, countertops, and other areas where food is stored. They can easily crawl in and out of outlets in search of food and may end up in other parts of your home, too.
- Termites – While less common than other household pests, termites can cause substantial damage if they manage to get into your electrical system.
- Wasps – Wasps are usually an issue for outdoor electrical outlets. They are attracted to them because they offer great shelter from other predators and the elements.
- Spiders – Spiders hunt and eat smaller bugs and will crawl into outlets in search of their next meal or to build webs. They don’t usually cause as much damage as ants and termites but can disrupt electrical connections.
- Cockroaches – Unsightly yet hardy, cockroaches can squeeze into nearly any size crack and find a cozy place to hide. They are attracted to electrical outlets because they are warm and dark.
Why Are Bugs Attracted to Electrical Outlets?
There are many reasons why bugs seek out electrical outlets. While their attraction to outlets isn’t completely understood, some of the most likely reasons include the following:
- Shelter – Outlets are the perfect space for bugs to build nests while avoiding predators and the elements.
- Warmth – Electrical currents generate heat, and this warmth is particularly inviting for bugs during colder months.
- Food – Sometimes, crumbs may fall into outlets, especially in the kitchen or the dining room. Hungry bugs will enter these outlets in search of these morsels.
- Moisture – In some situations, high humidity or moisture from a leaky pipe can attract bugs to outlets since they need water to survive.
Whatever the reason critters may be crawling in your outlets, all species can damage your electrical system. By understanding why bugs are drawn to them, you can take further steps to minimize their appeal.
The Damage Bugs Cause Around Your Outlets
It’s hard to believe that such small bugs can create big issues in your home’s electrical system. The problem with infestations is that their activities create electrical problems that increase your risk of electrical fire and property damage. Some of the ways bugs hiding in your outlets cause damage include:
- Short circuits – Bugs can create short circuits within your electrical wiring, leading to tripped breakers, power outages, and electrical malfunctions.
- Fire hazards – Bug nests and dead insects are flammable and may ignite if exposed to an electrical spark. This accumulated debris becomes more dangerous if there is a significant infestation.
- Structural damage – Wood-damaging insects like termites compromise your home’s structural integrity, including the wooden structures surrounding your outlets.
- Corrosion – If bugs die inside the outlet, they can corrode and damage the wiring, which weakens electrical connections and poses a safety hazard.
The best way to handle such damage is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. If you notice a bug or two around your outlet, it’s probably a good idea to take a closer look and assess whether you’ve got an infestation on your hands.
How To Get Rid of Bugs in Your Electrical Outlets
The last thing you want to do is poke around in your outlet or spray pesticide directly into it. Doing this will lead to more damage, and you may even get hurt. If, upon further inspection, you notice a small infestation, applying boric acid dust to the cover may solve the problem. However, if you notice a lot of bugs and signs of severe infestation (droppings, egg cases, and peculiar smells), then you’ll need to contact a professional pest control service and an electrician to assess for damage once the bugs are gone.
Preventing Future Bug Infestations in Your Outlets
After you’ve addressed the bug problem, there are several things you can do to ensure they don’t come near your electrical outlets again:
- Install outlet seals behind the plate covers on your outlets. These seals act as a barrier to prevent bugs from entering.
- Caulk and seal any gaps around your walls and outlets, which reduces potential entry points for bugs.
- Make it a habit to clean around your outlets regularly, ensuring no food particles or debris gathers near them.
- If some areas in your home are more humid than others, use dehumidifiers to reduce your moisture levels.
Bugproofing your home and electrical outlets is an important step in keeping you and your family safe from property damage and fires. If you notice bug activity around your outlets, call a professional pest control service to effectively remove them. Once your outlets are pest-free, call Mister Sparky. We can assess your home’s outlets and electrical system to ensure they are in safe working order and complete any necessary repairs that resulted from your bug infestation. Whether you need electrical upgrades, rewiring services, inspections, or repair work, our professional electricians will provide you with reliable, efficient service that you can count on.