No Vacancy

What do snakes, spiders, ants, mice, and wasps have in common?  Unfortunately, all of these creatures seem to think that an irrigation controller makes a wonderful house.

With the front cover removed, you can see how this might be an appealing abode for some.

While it may be a great place for them to try and put down roots, they all have the potential to damage these computers.  Therefore, there are a number of deterrents people use to keep them pest free. 

With all of the wires entering the controllers from below, sealing the conduits with spray foam, or stuffing steel wool may discourage rodents and reptiles.  For the insects, we use something different--cow insecticide tags.

Since these are designed to be worn by cows, they are far from some heavy duty super killer.  But left in the enclosed controller, they are enough to keep us critter free.

The tag is hung with a zip tie, and we are good to go.

Installing these strips in our 29 irrigation controllers is a quick and inexpensive way to protect them from damage.  We hope all prospective occupants will quickly consider them to be a "Keep Out" sign.