Why Pests Are Showing Up in Your Keyboard?

Keyboards, with their dark crevices and food crumbs, provide an excellent breeding ground for a host of pests to take up residence. Wondering what they might be doing with your connection can be startling and disgusting, all at the same time. As surprising as it may sound, pests do really show up on the keyboard. Once these unwelcome guests are comfortable in your computer equipment, experts in Redmond Exterminator Services remind you to nip at the bud disease before your equipment is damaged. Still, even worse, it will spread to other areas of the house or office.

So, in this blog post, we are going to look at the possible reasons why pests may show up in your keyboard and how you can avoid this.

Common Pests Found in Keyboards

There are a number of creatures known to worm their way into keyboards:

Ants

Ants search for food residue and can sneak inside through the small spaces between keys. Ants are the most common keyboard invaders, with more than 35% of electronic equipment infestations involving ants, according to a 2023 study by the National Pest Management Association.

Cockroaches

These resilient insects tend to hide in warm, dark places and are especially attracted to electronics. Cockroaches can do significant damage by excreting droppings that eat into circuit boards and components.

Silverfish

Silverfish, with their love of paper, are enticed by the adhesives and paper products in keyboards. They are small enough to slide through the narrowest openings of your device.

Mites and Dust Mites

Microscopic mites dine on the cells of dead skin that collect in cracks of keyboards. Although invisible to the naked eye, they can trigger allergic reactions in susceptible people.

Reasons Why Pests Are Attracted to Your Keyboard

• Food Debris and Crumbs

People who eat while they work leave bits of food and crumbs on keyboards. These tiny morsels of food are caught between and under keys, a food source for many an invader looking for a snack.

• Warmth and Shelter

Next, while the electronics are running, they produce heat that makes the environment attractive to pests, particularly during the cold season. The tight crevices between keys and the dark underside of keyboards are ideal hiding places, far out of reach of predators and human disruption.

• Moisture

Even small volumes of liquid can dribble under keys, and water conditions are safe for some insects. Of course, it does not take much moisture to guarantee the presence of pests. According to researchers, even a small amount of moisture can increase the likelihood of pests by 42 percent.

• Infrequent Cleaning

Keyboards that are not serviced on a regular basis gather not just scraps of food but also dust, hair, and bits of dead skin — all organic matter that can feed pest populations and induce them to settle down.

How to Remove Pests from Your Keyboard?

Turn Off and Unplug

Before you start any cleaning methods, turn off the device and unplug it. This step protects you and your gear by ensuring you practice safety while working on the keyboard and using cleaning products.

Shake and Vacuum

Hold your keyboard upside down over a trash can and shake it gently to dislodge loose debris, crumbs, and perhaps pests. Next, use a small vacuum attachment made for electronics to suck out any leftover bits from between and under keys. Do not use high-powered vacuums that can damage sensitive parts.

Compressed Air Treatment

A can of compressed air with a narrow nozzle works well to blast bursts of air between the spaces of keys and other small crevices. This dislodges pests and debris that may be difficult to shake out. Keep the can upright so you don’t spray moisture into your keyboard.

Disinfect Thoroughly

Disinfect the keyboard surface with electronic-safe disinfectant wipes or wipe it down with a slightly damp microfiber cloth with isopropyl alcohol. Make sure to focus on areas that show evidence of pest activity. After removing the keyboard, let it dry thoroughly before reconnecting it to a power source.

Professional Cleaning Service

For more serious infestations or high-value equipment, you may also want to consider professional cleaning services, particularly those specializing in electronics.