Sensor Cockroach Infestation – A site I'm maintaining has some old long-range sensors in its warehouse. These work a treat and give no false alarm trouble. The problem is that the sensor housings are partially open and bush cockroaches have set up house over winter.
Sensor Cockroach Infestation – A site I’m maintaining has some old long-range sensors in its warehouse. These work a treat and give no false alarm trouble. The problem is that the sensor housings are partially open and bush cockroaches have set up house over winter.
From experience, this infestation will be the demise of the sensors, as roaches can cause a great deal of damage. I’ve tried using Mortein and Baygon surface sprays in the past and the problem is they make as much mess as powders used by pest people. Do I need to pull the sensors apart and carefully spray the inner casings or is there another solution?
A: There are a few things you can try. We’d go for a whole of site anti-cockroach strategy, same as we’d do for a rodent problem. Professional sprays and powders are the business, and they won’t impact the sensor if they are used elsewhere. They also won’t cost you any time and money.
We’d try to minimise food sources. Another option is to attach baits adjacent to the sensor. You could also break open a bait casing and put a piece of bait inside the casing where the insects can’t miss it. The problem with this latter option, and with some of your suggestions is that as you point out, they’re messy.
Another alternative is cutting up Shell pest strips and gluing them into sensors with water-based glue, like Clag or Perkins Paste. There should be plenty of room inside your big sensor for a sliver of Shell strip. Still messy, though.
Another option is to insect proof the housing with pieces of lightweight nylon insect screen of the sort found in tent doorways. You’d need to ensure there’s no chance the screen impacts on sensor performance. Importantly, you won’t have any warranty issues to worry about with older sensors but make sure catch performance stays consistent.
Replacing the sensors with IP55 or IP65 rated units is another option. You can read more about cockroach infestation here – there’s more news here.
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