It's a classic horror story in the world of computing: computers and game consoles are supposed to have nothing alive inside them, however... sometimes we find it. Cockroaches, to be precise. A plague that has accompanied us for millennia, and that adapted wonderfully to modern electronics to turn it into their "new home". Many people still ask why, and the experts answer.
Cockroaches in Your Hardware
Last year (my new favorite term when talking about "pre-pandemic") I was forced to transfer the repair of a laptop to a team of colleagues, and when I contacted them to confirm its status... they talked about cockroaches. A significant number of cockroaches. Fumigation, cleaning, and the problem was solved, but for many people, the story doesn't end there.
There are not a few technicians who talk about "putting the entire PC in a bag" and declaring it lost due to the size of the infestation. On the console side, we still remember that Twitch stream of a user who bought a used PS4 and discovered multiple cockroaches inside. And to that we add more disturbing cases... like rats inside a server.
The Experts' Answer: Heat
The people at Gizmodo decided to consult a group of experts in computer repair and maintenance about the "why" of cockroaches in PCs, consoles, televisions, players and other equipment, and the unanimous answer is "heat". The inside of a computer is much more comfortable and welcoming for them due to the difference in temperature combined with darkness, and once they settle there, the only way to make them leave is... with determination.
In general terms, the main problem with cockroaches is the associated disgust. Many people adopt the rule "Cockroaches = Dirt" and assume that the environment where the computer is used is just as disastrous, or worse. In fact, certain technicians consider it a symptom of something worse. Does that person have cleaning problems? Are they a hoarder? Furthermore, there is always the occasion when an infestation affects the integrity of the hardware. The droppings of cockroaches and their own bodies can cause short circuits.
https://old.neoteo.com/grace-hopper-definiendo-al-bug-moderno-la-ayuda-una-polilla/Food Scraps and Solutions
The other common point points to food scraps. In essence, cockroaches eat the same as we do, and they are absolutely opportunistic. A warm and dark refuge nearby plus small crumbs in the vicinity make a kind of "paradise" for them. Eliminating a cockroach infestation in a PC is certainly possible, however, that process does nothing to combat its origin. Cleaning and repairing the environment (a leaky pipe can become a water source), and not eating near our electronics are steps in the right direction.
Source: Gizmodo
