Ant Proof Well Pump Pressure Switch

[MickeyDBC]

We have had our well water supply fail several times this year due to ants getting in the contacts of the Square D pressure switch. I have tried spraying several kinds of "long lasting" ant spray on any path that they can take to get into the switch but if you forget to do it every week the little buggers short the switch out again. I have read about pouring old motor oil around them but that is not something I want to do (I drink the water). Anyone know of a switch with solid state contacts or that does not have exposed contacts that the ants can get into?

 

[Fuddy1952]

Here's what I did...
1) throw well breaker!
2)remove square d relay cover
3) wipe clean, then squirt a bead of silicone caulk around edge of cover and edge of relay base...where cover goes over. Also a bead around wires and cover wire slot.
4) reinstall cover, be sure caulk has covered it completely, it doesn't take much.
5) turn breaker back on.

 

[reb]

I had that problem many years ago. I wrapped the switch in electrician's tape and that took care of it.

 

[bunyip]

If using silicon make sure it is acid free or it will destroy metal.
Roof and gutter is acid free and cheaper than electrical silicon and probably the same.

 

[RNeumann]

If using silicon make sure it is acid free or it will destroy metal.
Roof and gutter is acid free and cheaper than electrical silicon and probably the same.

I learn something new every day! I hadn’t thought about the PH of silicon and or caulking.

 

[bunyip]

Acid is the curing agent, not sure what they use in acid free but I have seen a lot of RF connections destroyed with the wrong silicon (I used to work with antennas and MATV systems in a previous life).
The tube should advise if it is acid free.
You can buy electrical but it seems you pay a premium for a special label, not that I am a cynic!!!

 

[thepumpguysc]

I poured ant killer inside my pump house..
"over n out" seemed to work well..
I was told that they eat the coating on the contacts.. its like cherry pie to them..
I like the sealer idea.. even the tape sounds feasible.. I've never seen ants on electrical tape..

 

[wagne223]

I use Amdro on mounds as soon as they pop up so I dont have any ants around to get in the switch.

Being in FL though, I have had roaches and lizards get in my switch contacts.
Roaches I understand but I have yet to figure out how the lizards get in there.

To the OP, if I had that as a constant issue, I would relocate the switch.
Installers always put the switch right next to the well for convenience.

You can anywhere as long as the pressure tube is in the main feed line and you can run the electrical to it.

I have seen several with the switch in a shed with the water treatment equipment.

 

[Ritothebull]

I had the same trouble with spiders getting in all my outdoor electrical boxes until I finally sealed them all up with tape and calk. I had ants getting into a bird feeder that was on a pipe and I thought about greasing the pipe but instead I rubbed the pipe with citronela wax and that worked good.

 

[Fuddy1952]

Thanks for acid free silicone tip. In a month or so I was going to caulk all around my steel garages and sheds, bottom next to concrete.
Speaking of wells you may want to put an outside lamp on it. Years ago on well house I wired a lamp socket , one side of pressure switch so it gets 120volts every time pump cuts on. Then I use a red light bulb. It has saved lots of headaches...if we're not using water and light is on I know there's a leak somewhere. If light goes on and off a lot I know problem with ballast tank. When we're on vacation, neighbors feeding our pets I tell them if they see light on I have a 220v breaker switch on outside of well house...flip it off.