Living Creatures in my MacBook

Question

Living Creatures in my MacBook

I tried to search this on Google and found one about LCD's, which may be similar to this, but I fear this is more dangerous.

I have found, over the last few weeks, several bugs in my MacBook. The thing is, these are not software bugs, these are living creatures and very tiny fast moving ones too. I squished one today.

It is very creepy and I fear they could be messing up the insides, I have seen one come up through the keyboard keys before, through the fan and speakers at the end and even from UNDER the MacBook somehow, they make it to my desk and squish. I assume that the temperature is something they like? Because otherwise the MacBook heat would kill them?

And how did these bugs come to be, the MacBook is the only place they exist, I have not seen them anywhere else...they only place they could have come from is maybe when I took my MacBook on holiday to a cottage-sort-of-house.

Strange stuff, I have seen two at the same time, so I KNOW there are more somewhere, probably inside...going to an Apple store isn't convenient for me, the nearest one is miles away, thats the problem with Britain.

MacBook Intel Core 2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Posted on Jun 18, 2007 4:14 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 19, 2007 7:05 PM in response to Brendangenius

Hi,

OKEY..., this is THE most weird post i've seen, anyways...

Every now and then my BlackBook gets a visit from ants and other small insects, apparently they find it comfy; what i do: open a heavy 3d game [Unreal Tournament 2004] run iTunes and other stuff at the same time making the computer reach 80˚+ temp [Celsius] this will kill those intruders and also I get a dvd in the drive to eradicate them, very efficient. If you don't have a have 3d game open terminal and type: yes . this will make the CPU work at its full capacity heating the computer and settings the fan to 6212 rpm's [for cooling]. This WILL kill any little creature inside as I doubt they could survive 80˚+ temps.
(just to let you know i just held the "yes" operation for 5 min getting to 89˚ Celsius and fans at full blast, SAFELY)

Hope this helped,

-Victor

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Answer 2

a brody

Level 10

85,314 points

Jun 18, 2007 4:31 AM in response to Brendangenius

Some people have problems with living creatures on their computer, because they have food or drink near it. My college computer lab had a strict policy of no food, nor drink near computers for a good reason. Spills were all too common, and could short out the computer equipment. But another reason, they would have had to hire an exterminator to keep the roaches and other insects away. The first bug on a computer was a real bug. If bugs get into the circuitry they can damage it. I've noticed insects fly to my screen if it is the only light source in the room. If I have other light sources that doesn't happen as often. Touching the LCD can potentially break it, if you touch it too hard, and replacing them is expensive.

So do whatever necessary to avoid having insects in the same room as your computer.

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Answer 3

Jun 18, 2007 4:42 AM in response to a brody

Thank you for the information and advice, It will be useful to me.

However, I do eat near my MacBook sometimes, though I am very careful about it and conscious of it all the time...My MacBook looks clean and as new as the day I bought it, no stains or anything, completely white...I am very obessive about it, I have a "MacBook Duster", which is always within reach, where I sadly clean my Mac, I love my Mac, so this comes as a bit of blow. Also, I obviouslt drink near it, everyone does when your working on your next project and working until 3am with nothing but Tea and Coffee stopping you from hitting the keyboard (me last night).

I do not want to lose my Mac, because there is NO WAY at all that I can replace it or go buy another, I do not have the money, I am a College Student, going onto Uni in a year and without a job. I only bought the Mac in November/December 2006.

...and I don't want to face going back to Windows, was a Windows user before I got the Mac...terrible days.

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Answer 4

Fortuny

Level 7

21,461 points

Jun 18, 2007 5:37 AM in response to Brendangenius

Hi,

"seems like the 'rats' are leaving the sinking ship" or
"the work is done, said the technicians and left"

(Sorry, couldn't resist)

What you may want to try (I think I would do if I had the problem) : use a vacuum-cleaner on something like half-strength on all possible openings to get these things out of your Mac.

Stefan

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Answer 5

a brody

Level 10

85,314 points

Jun 18, 2007 6:59 AM in response to Brendangenius

Going back to Windows won't solve the problem. Changing your habit is the only thing that will. The cost of food becoming $1000 a pop may make you consider twice eating near your computer. No computer is food nor insect safe. And the only reason the insects are there, is because there is food in the room.

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Answer 6

Jun 18, 2007 7:30 AM in response to Brendangenius

OK, I have an idea.

When I got head lice (as a very small child who shared hats and combs), my parents took all my toys, bedding, etc. and put them in a garbage bag, then used a vacuum to remove all the air, sealed it tight, and left it for a week. This presumably suffocated all the lice. Try doing this with your MacBook.

Afterwards, you might want open the MacBook up (follow instructions from the Apple website) and use a can of compressed air to blow out the dead bugs and waste.

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Answer 7

Jun 19, 2007 2:53 AM in response to minetruly

That is a good idea, but I can assure you my room is VERY clean and there is no food in here or on my MacBook at the moment, surely these things cannot live for too long without food, I have not seen any today...will they not starve, the only thing I have on my desk is a cup of tea, which is far away from my MacBook (I am conscious of this).

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Answer 8

a brody

Level 10

85,314 points

Jun 19, 2007 4:54 PM in response to Brendangenius

For everything you wanted to know about fleas but were afraid to ask:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleas

My suggestion is to take your machine to the biology department to determine what species is infesting your machine.

That would help you determine the best means of eradicating it.

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Answer 9

Jun 18, 2007 6:52 AM in response to Brendangenius

AUUUUUUGHHH!!!!

(Not a very helpful reply, but I thought you might appreciate the commiseration.)

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Answer 10

Boece

Level 5

6,264 points

Jun 18, 2007 7:22 AM in response to Brendangenius

I'd recommend put a side table next to your computer table.

I have a rule of never putting beverages and food on the same table as my computer.

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Answer 11

Jun 19, 2007 4:44 AM in response to Brendangenius

Do you have any pets, they could be fleas.

Ian

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Answer 12

Jun 19, 2007 10:10 AM in response to Ian Parkinson

Yes, I have a cat, though would Fleas live in a MacBook, thought they would like something furry or hairy?

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Answer 13

Jun 20, 2007 12:39 AM in response to Brendangenius

Well, this is very strange... try opening your MacBook and killing them all... Opening the MacBook is pretty easy, you can find all you need on Google.

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