insects in keyboard

googler

Probably carpet mites, so once you've cleaned the keyboard, hire a carpet cleaner for the day

Head_The_Ball

Install and run a debug programme.

John_Gray

D_M_E wrote: »

As well as the washing recommended John, another way to clean is by using either a small paintbrush or a large artist's brush.

That only deals with the gaps between the keys, but I agree that it is minimally invasive!

John_Gray

unforeseen wrote: »

If you have any screws or bits left over then these can be binned as they were obviously not required :rotfl:

There are only three 'bits' (keyboard upper half, rubbery mat, and keyboard lower half) and 15-or-so screws.
Hard to have much left over out of those!

wazza2004

Hovered the keyboard last night. Checked it this morning could not find any insects. There was only 2 I saw last night. Will keep check on it. Thanks for the replies

jenniewb

It's not that the creatures have gone, it's more; where did they come from? Are there more and what are they feeding on, where are they going to...
Could have come from the carpet, could have come from day to day clothing worn outside...could be from whomevers head last bashed against the keyboard in a fit of complete despair at an attempt to get around a Windows update...!


But seriously, not sure what type your keyboard is but I've always cleaned mine by popping out the keys with a blunt dinner knife, clearing with a brush to loosen any grains or crumbs of anything, sock over the head of a hoover hose to pick up the majority of any dry dust, then a cotton bud to get rid of any grime and whatever else is left. Pop the keys back in and remember to clean every so often but possibly before it gets infested!

Valli

jenniewb wrote: »

But seriously, not sure what type your keyboard is but I've always cleaned mine by popping out the keys with a blunt dinner knife, clearing with a brush to loosen any grains or crumbs of anything, sock over the head of a hoover hose to pick up the majority of any dry dust, then a cotton bud to get rid of any grime and whatever else is left. Pop the keys back in and remember to clean every so often but possibly before it gets infested!

I too have done this. And the keys themselves can be cleaned by immersing in warm water in which household soda (washing soda) has been dissolved. Wear rubber gloves and be prepared to be disgusted by the ensuing 'soup'. Removes all grease and the dirt that clings to it. Rinse and dry on a towel.

Fightsback

Valli wrote: »

I too have done this. And the keys themselves can be cleaned by immersing in warm water in which household soda (washing soda) has been dissolved. Wear rubber gloves and be prepared to be disgusted by the ensuing 'soup'. Removes all grease and the dirt that clings to it. Rinse and dry on a towel.

I wouldn't do this myself as sodium carbonate solutions will leave crystal residues on drying, the best electronics cleaner is now banned on the grounds of the ozonze layer and it's a potential carcinogen amongst other health issues, 1,1,1-trichloroethane. Best bet now is IPA or ethanol as it does not leave residues that can potentially affect contact switches over time.

If you do use the carbonate method then rinse with plenty of deionised water then wash with IPA or ethanol.

coffeehound

jenniewb wrote: »

.. I've always cleaned mine by popping out the keys with a blunt dinner knife, clearing with a brush to loosen any grains or crumbs of anything, sock over the head of a hoover hose to pick up the majority of any dry dust, then a cotton bud to get rid of any grime and whatever else is left. Pop the keys back in

Mein gott, how long does that take?!

AndyPix

Jesus, you have creatures living in your computer ?!


Where have they come from ? Do you have them in the rest of your house ?
This isnt a technical issue and if you really want my advice i would bin it and get my house fumigated and then work out which of my bad habits let me get infested with insects.


All the advice about cleaning your computer is all well and good. But you can bet the infestation didnt start there, and is just a symptom of a larger problem