Ants love seeking shelter in trail cameras. The good news is that there are ways to keep ants off your trail camera. In this article, we will give you tips on how to keep ants out of trail cameras.
Although most manufacturers have made improvements in design to make their trail cameras foolproof, ants still somehow find a way in.
They may chew the ports, camera seals, or enter through the tiniest holes or audio input. This means that regardless of how secure your trail camera may look, ants may still find a way in.
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Why Are Ants Attracted to Trail Cameras?
While there are many devices that ants can seek shelter from, they mostly prefer seeking shelter in trail cameras. So, why are ants attracted to trail cameras?
Most ants are attracted to trail cameras because they are attracted by the electrical components in trail cameras that give off heat. Additionally, trail camera battery usually releases compounds known as pheromones, a scent that ants use to communicate, especially when they are under attack.
Experts believe this compound is also one of the main things that attract ants to trail cameras.
Why It is Crucial to Keep Ants Off Your Trail Camera
Besides seeking shelter, ants also damage the trail camera. If you do nothing when ants invade your trail camera, they will attack crucial parts such as the battery, thus compromising the trail camera operation.
Additionally, ants invasion will also compromise the quality of photos and videos that the trail camera delivers.
Therefore, if you want your trail camera to operate at full capacity and provide high-quality pictures and videos, you need to ensure that it is ant-free.
How to Keep Ants Out of Trail Cameras
Seal All Cracks and Opening in the Trail Camera Housing
The first thing you need to do to keep ants off your trail cameras is sealing off all cracks and openings that ants may use to gain entry. Although most trail cameras are waterproof, a vast majority of them have small openings that ants may use to gain access.
Therefore, check your trail camera to see if it has small openings. If you find them, close them using electrical tape or duct tape. You can also apply silicone to seal off the cracks and gaps. This way, you will make it extremely difficult for ants to attack your trail camera.
This process can only be successful if you seal off all openings.
Use Insecticide
Sealing all holes may not be enough to keep ants off your trail camera. Ants don’t give up easily, easily when they want something. Sealing off the camera with duct tape is a great ploy but won’t last long if it is not supported by other means.
The best way to reinforce the sealed holes and cracks is by applying a suitable insecticide like permethrin.
Ants avoid this type of insecticide because it kills them instantly. Therefore, if they notice that your trail camera is spread with insecticide, they stay away from it. One of the best ways to keep ants off your trail camera is by spreading insecticide.
Inspect your trail camera regularly and if you notice the presence of ants, apply insecticide to prevent them from gaining entry.
Freeze the Camera
This technique is effective in removing ants from the camera. If you realize that your trail camera has been attacked by ants, one of the best ways to remove them is by freezing the trail camera. Gently remove the SD card and battery, then place the camera on a bag before placing it in the freezer. The cold temperature will freeze and kill all ants and their eggs.
Once all ants and their eggs have been killed, clean the trail camera, then inspect it and seal all openings that ants may use to gain entry to the camera.
Wrapping It Up
Ants are not only a nuisance but can also lower the lifespan of your trail camera by damaging crucial parts like the battery. The last thing you want is to find out that your expensive trail camera has been destroyed by ants.
We recommend that you follow the tips above to prevent ant from invading your trail camera. Don’t forget to inspect your trail camera regularly.