Newest Threads

**movet22** · 03-08-2013, 01:13 PM

This is going to sound ridiculous, but I bought a freezer off CL last week to finally be able to make lagers. Picked it up, looked fine, unplugged it and put it in the car for the hour ride home. Got it in the house, opened the top and there were bugs in it. I don't know anything about bugs except that I do not like them much hahaha.

I cleaned out the freezer and covered up some of the warped exterior that I believe the critters may have snuck in. I set the temp and all seemed honkey dorry, until I cranked the temp up to about 50*F to start off the first fermentation in it. I opened the top to check progress and saw two more of the bugs. This is why I am worried, I don't want there to be little beetle-looking kinda things crawling around whenever the ambient temp rises too high. (When I kicked it back down to 44*F, the problem halted.

What the heck should I do about this? Just keep the temp low? use some sort of insecticide? I am really at a bit of a loss here.

PS- I would prefer not getting a new freezer- it was quite a major PitA to get it in my basement, and it was only a 5 cubic foot model!

DPBISME · 03-08-2013, 01:21 PM

I would guess they got during transport but if not...

Empty the damn thing out and crank the temp as low as it will go and let it sit for a few days...

When you are done check the seals because I cannot imagine they are getting access anyother way.

You could also stick it out side, close it up and hit it with bug spray in those exterior places where they might be nesting.

**passedpawn** · 03-08-2013, 01:24 PM

If bugs are getting inside, it might not be very airtight. The bugs might be telling you something.

At least figure out how they are getting in/out of it and seal with silicone.

broadbill · 03-08-2013, 01:30 PM

Do you know what a cockroach looks like? They like make nests/hang about heat sources such as freezer compressors. ARe they alive?

thejudge · 03-08-2013, 01:45 PM

Post a pic, but either way the problem can be solved with pesticides. Just make sure to unplug it, treat it(at least twice as well as your basement) and clean it out good with baking soda solution be fore using again. Also check and make sure all your seals are good. You can purchase new seals from a home appliance repair shop for cheap and seal all seams in the inside with food grade silicone only on the inside regular silicone on he outside.

**movet22** · 03-08-2013, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadbill

Do you know what a cockroach looks like? They like make nests/hang about heat sources such as freezer compressors. ARe they alive?

I do know what cockraoches look like, but these are not nearly as big as them. but I guess they look similar, albeit, much smaller (biggest one was about 1/2'')

I'll snag a pic if I see one again. Anyone have any recommendations for the type of pesticide to use?

**movet22** · 03-08-2013, 03:37 PM

Mother ****er. A quick google search looks like I may have some small cockroach things. I would say almost certainly a nest inside the freezer somewhere (it is a bit beat up, so all the seams are not tight.)

My fiance is going to murder me is the freezer she didn't want in the house causes us a roach problem... What should I use to kill these bastards? And honestly, I may go to HD and load up for war either way. hahaha

**LandoLincoln** · 03-08-2013, 03:38 PM

I'm betting that they're holed up inside the insulation of the lid. If you took that apart and replaced the insulation in the lid, they'd go away.

The lid insulation areas of chest freezers are typically pretty nasty. Be forewarned.

**movet22** · 03-08-2013, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LandoLincoln

I'm betting that they're holed up inside the insulation of the lid. If you took that apart and replaced the insulation in the lid, they'd go away.

The lid insulation areas of chest freezers are typically pretty nasty. Be forewarned.

This makes a ton of sense- the last one I found was actually IN the wrinkle of the rubber seal thingy that it attached to the lid...

Good lord, I am going to find a world of sh!t in there, aren't I?

OmegaFunk · 03-08-2013, 03:47 PM