I think my iMac might have a bug

[RJP31484]

Yes.. this is another one of those INSECT in a mac threads. I have seen more and more of these lately. Well.. this is my predicament....

Every time I go down to my iMac, which is in my basement, I find an earwig(or pincher-bug if you will)crawling on my desk... I have seen about EIGHT so far!!! I always only see ONE.. and I always kill it, and get rid of it. It happened probably at least 5 nights in a row. I am just wondering if it is possible that they could be getting inside my nice warm computer that is in a very cool basement. I know there is that slit in the back, and that grill in the bottom. I THINK maybe they could fit into the slit, as they are fairly thin and are used to going under rocks and such. I HATE these kind of bugs! They are certainly my least favorite, and I am finding them more and more this summer ALL OVER my basement!!! also, a few weeks ago, I put up a tent in my backyard, and left the flap open all the next day by accident, only to return and find at least 2 dozen of them crawling all over the inside and outside!!! WHAT IS UP WITH THESE MOFOS?!?!(I life in eastern PA by the way) anyway, I am afraid that theyre getting in, and they might mess things up by making an electrical connection with their bodies where there shouldnt be one. How worried should I be? and what precautions can I take?

 

[Alter Ego]

Perhaps you should move your Mac to an insect-free location .

 

[RJP31484]

Perhaps you should move your Mac to an insect-free location .

hahahaha.. THat would be an obvious solution huh?... sorry.. i should have mentioned that I am in my parents house for the summer, and even after constant begging, they wont let me put it anywhere else. ( I am staying in her "perfectly" decorated guest room, and while I feel it is a beautiful machine, she fails to see my point.)

 

[aussie_geek]

Have a go catching the little critters!!!

You could always try catching them - here is an excerpt from a gardening thread:

"I've been catching the earwigs nymphs by filling shallow containers with water/yeast/sugar and burying them soil level near the plants/seedlings they've been chewing on. Actually the mix was intended for the slugs I thought were doing the damage but turns out I've been catching earwigs instead! The Datura are left alone and other specific tender young plants in the garden are targeted. What may work better is filling the containers with rotting fruit (not hight enuf to have access to crawl out) and filling with water. Earwigs are usually feeders decaying OM but will feed on plants. Also Earwigs will and do feed on aphids...so might want to check if aphids are also luring them."

Another page on Earwigs can be found here

good luck!!


aussie_geek

 

[RJP31484]

Another page on Earwigs can be found here

good luck!!
aussie_geek

thank you so much!.. that page was very informative.. I think they might be getting in through the basement window (which is about 10 feet from the space outside where they invaded my tent) though I dont ever have it open, there might be a crack or something.. ill have to check that out. Ill also try putting a trap of some oil in a tuna can a bit aways from the computer.

 

[skubish]

Yes.. this is another one of those INSECT in a mac threads. I have seen more and more of these lately. Well.. this is my predicament....

Every time I go down to my iMac, which is in my basement, I find an earwig(or pincher-bug if you will)crawling on my desk... I have seen about EIGHT so far!!! I always only see ONE.. and I always kill it, and get rid of it. It happened probably at least 5 nights in a row. I am just wondering if it is possible that they could be getting inside my nice warm computer that is in a very cool basement. I know there is that slit in the back, and that grill in the bottom. I THINK maybe they could fit into the slit, as they are fairly thin and are used to going under rocks and such. I HATE these kind of bugs! They are certainly my least favorite, and I am finding them more and more this summer ALL OVER my basement!!! also, a few weeks ago, I put up a tent in my backyard, and left the flap open all the next day by accident, only to return and find at least 2 dozen of them crawling all over the inside and outside!!! WHAT IS UP WITH THESE MOFOS?!?!(I life in eastern PA by the way) anyway, I am afraid that theyre getting in, and they might mess things up by making an electrical connection with their bodies where there shouldnt be one. How worried should I be? and what precautions can I take?

Try putting a dehumidifier down in the basement. Earwigs like damp conditions. If you make it drier they may go away.

 

[aussie_geek]

thank you so much!.. that page was very informative.. I think they might be getting in through the basement window (which is about 10 feet from the space outside where they invaded my tent) though I dont ever have it open, there might be a crack or something.. ill have to check that out. Ill also try putting a trap of some oil in a tuna can a bit aways from the computer.

Great - let us know what the outcome is after you implement your 'MacDebug' strategies. I would have opted for the sugar / yeast solution - it sounds more aggressive...

aussie_geek

 

[RJP31484]

Try putting a dehumidifier down in the basement. Earwigs like damp conditions. If you make it drier they may go away.

THANKS!... sure I actually did try that! and I havn't seen any in a while... my basement does get quite humid...

 

[GimmeSlack12]

They pose no threat to your Macintosh. But yeah, its a little irritating to have bugs on your desk. My problem right now is mosquitos.