Why Pest Control for your Standby Generator is a Good Idea

We all know the importance of routine pest control service for our homes, but what about pest control for your home standby generator?

Ants are particularly pesky, and they can cause a lot of trouble if they get into the generator’s control board. Most of the time they build their nest in the control board, which can short out all of the electronics in the board.

Although this is a common issue, this specific problem is not covered by the manufacturer or warranty. Because it’s a pest problem, it’s something that pest control or the homeowner themselves should be keeping a close eye on. While regular maintenance can help avoid the problem, ants move in quickly and it could happen between service visits.

You’ve probably already noticed that ants are more frequent visitors in your home during the springtime, which also means they’re more likely to build a nest in your standby generator during this time. But why are ants so much worse during the spring? The warm weather brings out all animals and insects. And while it’s warm in the middle of the afternoon during the spring, it’s still a bit chilly at night; meaning ants are driven to find a place that’s warm during the night and has plenty of easily accessible food and water resources. Ants also seek shelter from the hot sun and spring rains by entering human homes or any other area that keeps them safe yet close to a reliable source.

Because the approach of spring assures that ants will be on their way, it’s important to be aware of their activity, both in your home and standby generator. Typical pest control service is a great way to ensure that both your home and standby generator are ant free this year.

Another great way to keep ants out of your generator’s control board is to purchase an ear tag at Tractor Supply and attach it beside the control panel. This is a weather-resistant insecticide-covered tag that’s usually pinned into the ear of cattle, so it works great for anything sitting outside. These are usually sold in packs of 20, so it’s a good idea to attach a few to your AC unit as well.

Our service trucks keep TERRO Liquid Ant Bait in stock and use it regularly as well. We’ve found it helps tremendously when it comes to controlling the ants. You can use a piece of Scotch double-sided tape and place the bait directly beside the control board. In a day or two, the ants should be gone. Make sure to check it regularly and replace as necessary.

Ants and other pests are definitely a nuisance, and they can also cause a lot of damage. Keep an eye on your home standby generator to make sure it’s not becoming a shelter for ants this spring, and give us a call if you have any questions about your generator.