princepony

Q: insect behind screen

Have a 3mm black sugar ant travelling to and fro behind my IMac screen.  How did he get into this sealed unit? should I be worried?  Pr

iMac

Posted on Jul 1, 2016 11:42 PM

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Q: insect behind screen

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  • by Allan Jones,

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Jul 2, 2016 7:45 AM in response to princepony
    Level 8 (34,995 points)
    iPad
    Jul 2, 2016 7:45 AM in response to princepony

    Depends on your iMac model. The old ones that this forum covers (made 1998 through 2005) are not "sealed" as found in the newsert "glued-together" iMac models. So which iMac do you have? There are hundreds of variants made since 1998.

  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Jul 2, 2016 7:51 AM in response to princepony
    Level 9 (55,668 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 2, 2016 7:51 AM in response to princepony

    Not to worry, the ant will soon be gone. You might want to take a movie recording of it for the scrap book

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Jul 2, 2016 1:01 PM in response to princepony
    Level 6 (14,224 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 2, 2016 1:01 PM in response to princepony

    If you still have an iMac with wireless keyboard circa 2009, the front glass could be

    carefully removed. (as that is an upgrade path to access inside) The ant may have

    found a way behind the air-gap inside, and sought to get out where it saw light.

     

    A later model iMac (all Intel-based hardware, not powerPC hardware of this location)

    has most-sealed layers of glass so would be more difficult to remove to gain access.

     

    {To put the computer name, model number, build identifier/year, and system in your

    user profile would be helpful. Or you can also add the product details in each post.}

     

    Other than the G5 iMac (pizza box style) none of the older iMac PPC models would

    be likely to get an insect behind the front clear display panel; for a variety of reasons.

     

    An AASP should be able to take the front clear panel off to see about freeing Ant buddy.

    Or just keep the mac turned off a few days and set some yummy ant baits outside near

    one of the larger port openings. Or remove the RAM upgrade door to give him a pathway.

     

    And as mentioned, it may not last long - one way or another. Unless others decide to

    go looking for their lost buddy, and follow his scent trail inside.

     

    Good luck!

  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Jul 2, 2016 1:21 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 9 (55,668 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 2, 2016 1:21 PM in response to K Shaffer

    I had that happen a couple of time, years and miles apart. Both times was on a 2006 iMac. Both times the ant was gone within 24 hours, I didn't shut down, so I assume the ant either escaped or was killed by electric shock.