Topic: Ants

[jgentry]

What’s the best way to get rid of ants that are inside your station and transmitters for good without damaging the electronics?

[CW2274]

Can of pressurized air? Or, I use this on ALL of my electronics, including my ISS, great stuff. http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1451535
Doubt they'll like that.

[W3DRM]

Another source is Amazon:

• https://www.amazon.com/CRC-5103-Quick-Electronic-Cleaner/dp/B000BXOGNI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506194467&sr=8-1&keywords=CRC-5103-Quick-Electronic-Cleaner

[CW2274]

Another source is Amazon:

• https://www.amazon.com/CRC-5103-Quick-Electronic-Cleaner/dp/B000BXOGNI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506194467&sr=8-1&keywords=CRC-5103-Quick-Electronic-Cleaner

Ha, I usually bring up their link, but used Ace instead. That is a GREAT price! I'll have to order a few as I use this stuff all the time, thanks for the heads up!

[Phil23]

What’s the best way to get rid of ants that are inside your station and transmitters for good without damaging the electronics?

All the above...

But what about suggestions for keeping them out in the first place.

I'd assume Baygon, IE surface sprays may not be the best of things for temp sensors.

Phil.

[BeaverMeadow]

An adaptation of the technique used to keep ants off of hummingbird feeders should solve the problem.

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[CW2274]

What’s the best way to get rid of ants that are inside your station and transmitters for good without damaging the electronics?

I'd assume Baygon, IE surface sprays may not be the best of things for temp sensors.

According to Sensirion, that would be a big no-no. I have and still do use the CRC from above with no issues whatsoever.
I've never had an ant problem or any bug for that matter, I guess climbing up a galvanized pole is to difficult. Perhaps the OP could try that.

[CW2274]

An adaptation of the technique used to keep ants off of hummingbird feeders should solve the problem.

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Like a moat? Only potential problem is keeping water in it 24/7.

[benay ra'am]

Since my Stations are pretty new, I did a preemptive Strike, I carpet bomb the area round the stations with Spectracide Ant Killer, gets before they reach the post.

[BeaverMeadow]

An adaptation of the technique used to keep ants off of hummingbird feeders should solve the problem.

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Like a moat? Only potential problem is keeping water in it 24/7.

Exactly. I have found with the hummingbird feeders that after the ants give up, even if the moat dries out, they don't return immediately. If it was large enough it would take a while to evaporate. If it's a pipe out of the ground then refilling shouldn't be a problem as the moat doesn't have to be high up on the pole to work.

The double cap I use for the feeder came off a can of spray paint. Finding something that would slide over a pipe might be more challenging to find or fabricate.

But who knows, maybe these things already exist for pipes? Time to google.....

[Phil23]

An adaptation of the technique used to keep ants off of hummingbird feeders should solve the problem.

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Like a moat? Only potential problem is keeping water in it 24/7.

The moat is the first thought I had, followed straight away by evaporation...

Re-thinking though, who's says it has to contain water....

Maybe something low in evaporation, a light oil etc.

[CW2274]

An adaptation of the technique used to keep ants off of hummingbird feeders should solve the problem.

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Like a moat? Only potential problem is keeping water in it 24/7.

The moat is the first thought I had, followed straight away by evaporation...

Re-thinking though, who's says it has to contain water....

Maybe something low in evaporation, a light oil etc.

Being where I live, water usually doesn't last a for a blink in the shade let alone exposed to the sun. Oil should work well, kinda messy though.

[Old Tele man]

Remember your history lessons: 1914 and the Panama Canal, where they eradicated Malaria by putting the hospital beds on saucers filled with a little water and a drop or two of kerosene (keeps water from evaporating AND sufficates anything in the water).

[CW2274]

Remember your history lessons: 1914 and the Panama Canal, where they eradicated Malaria by putting the hospital beds on saucers filled with a little water and a drop or two of kerosene (keeps water from evaporating AND sufficates anything in the water).

You, Earles, are a wealth of knowledge.

[gjr80]

But what about suggestions for keeping them out in the first place.

I'd assume Baygon, IE surface sprays may not be the best of things for temp sensors.

Phil.

Left field idea, and might not be to everyone's taste, but a smear of this stuff around the base of the trunk worked a treat keeping the ants out of my fruit trees. Funny thing was it was cheaper (but not quicker) to buy from USA and have it mailed to Australia.

https://www.tanglefoot.com/en-us/products/tree-health-and-repair/tree-tanglefoot-insect-barrier

Gary

[W3DRM]

But what about suggestions for keeping them out in the first place.

I'd assume Baygon, IE surface sprays may not be the best of things for temp sensors.

Phil.

Left field idea, and might not be to everyone's taste, but a smear of this stuff around the base of the trunk worked a treat keeping the ants out of my fruit trees. Funny thing was it was cheaper (but not quicker) to buy from USA and have it mailed to Australia.

https://www.tanglefoot.com/en-us/products/tree-health-and-repair/tree-tanglefoot-insect-barrier

Gary

Hmmm, I have a problem with chipmunks and squirrels climbing my apple trees. I wonder if Tanglefoot would help deter these pests from climbing the fruit trees?

[BigOkie]

I realize this is an old post but I had my transmitter flatline night before last not knowing why.  Went to open the ISS enclosure up and they were swarming with ants.  I applied a little powdered borax for now and no flatline overnight.  Problem is here in Oklahoma, rain really ramps these guys up and we've had a bit of it over the last 10 days with more to come.  I have the station mounted on a flagpole.  I may just smear some vaseline at the base of the pole and see if that helps matters until I can find a more permanent solution. 

[azchrisf]

Put vaseline on the pole. They won't cross it.

[chief-david]

Put vaseline on the pole. They won't cross it.

Just like Philly Eagles fans

[doubleohwhatever]

We've had very good luck with these bait stations:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/TERRO-Outdoor-Liquid-Ant-Baits-Bonus-6-Pack-1806/203225198

I'm sure it's only a matter of time before the formula no longer works well but for now I'm thankful I don't have to clean ants out of enclosures.

[shimon]

We've had very good luck with these bait stations:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/TERRO-Outdoor-Liquid-Ant-Baits-Bonus-6-Pack-1806/203225198

I'm sure it's only a matter of time before the formula no longer works well but for now I'm thankful I don't have to clean ants out of enclosures.

We used that Terro stuff in our kitchen and it worked great.  It comes in a smaller form factor which will fit in a confined area like inside the weather station:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/TERRO-Indoor-Liquid-Ant-Killer-Baits-1-Pack-T300/202532940

[Aardvark]

buy an aardvarK?

Well you could buy a couple cans of compressed air and blast them out behind the circuit board and then put some Terro by where the cables come into the transmitter and the other suggestions around the mast.   Then after they are gone, clean up around and put fresh bait.

I get these turds in my kitchen and in my soil moisture station.  So far they come and go.

[azchrisf]

I know they have a liquidy thing called Tanglefoot that works really well as a pest barrier.
https://www.tanglefoot.com/products/insect-control/tree-tanglefoot-insect-barrier

Boric Acid can be put at the base of the pole too.