Is it safe to spray bug killer into walls with electrical wires?
Spraying liquid insecticide directly into wall cavities containing fiberglass insulation and electrical wiring creates serious risks of electrical short circuits and chemical saturation. Because carpenter ants nest deep inside these hidden spaces where baits like Terro only kill foragers, homeowners are forced to choose between risking unsafe DIY wall treatments or paying for an exterminator on top of costly old-house repairs.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Spraying the inside and outside perimeter with Alpine
- 2putting down Terro ant bait
- 3spraying insecticide with a wand into foundation cracks
- 4sealing holes with expanding foam
- 5patching cracks with mortar caulk
- 6spraying insecticide along indoor baseboards
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Bought an old house (1895). There's definitely gaps in the siding and foundation where they're getting in and I've been working on that.”source ↗
“I've been putting down Terro since we closed on the house nearly 3 weeks ago that seemed to work at first, then a whole new wave of ants appeared so I must've just wiped out one of the nests.”source ↗
“My mom is acting like this is a HUGE deal and I ABSOLUTELY need to get an exterminator.”source ↗
“is it worth an exterminator? I already have a TON of work to do on this house so I don't know if it's worth spending money on that.”source ↗
“Do you still spray Raid Ant and Roach into a wall that has insulation and electrical wires?”source ↗
“with so many coming out of that outlet suddenly at once, I’m guessing it’s a good idea to spray in the wall as well? What I’m concerned about is that wall cavity having fiberglass insulation and electrical in it and if that’s still safe?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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- 5How to stop mice and bugs from coming through attic ceiling vents
- 14How to permanently stop bugs coming out of a wall crack
- 6How to keep palmetto bugs from coming upstairs from the attic