Insect repellent sachets for electronics?

[DTJ]

I'm looking for some sachets that contain slow release naphthalene or camphor to deter ants or other insects from setting up their home inside electronics that are sited outdoors.

They look like little tea bags.

Who makes / sells these things?

[Brumby]

Used to be available in Australia:  Hovex Naphthalene Sachets

But all naphthalene flake products were banned in Australia in 2011, due to health risks - especially to young children.

http://apvma.gov.au/node/11781

http://www.mhcs.health.nsw.gov.au/publicationsandresources/pdf/publication-pdfs/8780/doh-8780-eng.pdf


If not available in your area, maybe go for moth balls instead - or perhaps some other repellents?

[DTJ]

Cheers Brumby, I knew naphthalene flakes were banned for domestic use. I figured they might still be available for commercial applications.

I was hoping someone here may have ideals on some alternatives as well.

Ants can cause quite a bit of grief for outdoor electronics so ther must be a solution out ther.

[MrSlack]

Not that we have a major insect problem here in the UK but petroleum jelly works pretty well if you want ants to stay out of stuff. Works for my tomatoes - stops them herding aphids up them. May work for larger things.

[Muttley Snickers]

For stuff out in our workshop kerosene works a treat, most insects and big black hairy critters die on contact and will keep well away from the stuff, for indoor use we have been using bay leaves for years after a cupboard infestation that started out from a container of brown rice that was hidden up on the top shelf out of view.     

[Halcyon]

...using bay leaves for years after a cupboard infestation that started out from a container of brown rice that was hidden up on the top shelf out of view.   

Really? Bugs don't like bay leaves? I knew that silverfish dislike cloves.

[Muttley Snickers]

Yep, they seem to work and I have no financial interest whatsoever in bay leaves or kerosene, also I am extremely temperamental to insecticides after many years of driving a Mazda diesel van that had a bad rear door seal, suffered horrendously and am still suffering from a severe case of carbon monoxide poisoning and I wasn't alone either a young bloke that I was training at the time was also affected, I can't go anywhere near diesel or petrol fumes, the kerosene isn't too bad in a well ventilated area, a warning to all.

[BradC]

I must say I recently did a repair on a saltwater chlorinator I installed in 2009. Outdoors, in exposed elements with a warm transformer, so all the things insects like. A pair of cables in the bottom of the unit have a little packet of naphthalene cable tied on, and there was absolutely no trace of insect ingress. I was floored.

[DTJ]

Thats where I've seen them Brad. Maybe I should call one of the chlorinator manufacturers.

[BradC]

Try that. I'd also try some industrial chemical suppliers.

[BradC]

My go to guys don't stock it, but these guys do.

https://www.chemsupply.com.au/nl017-500g

I had a long rant here about personal responsibility and the nanny state, but I know I'm preaching to the choir.