Ants in my Sonos PLAY:1

This is the best thread EVER!

Personally I can't even bring myself to use my Sonos anymore. Mine is now in the garage and ready for the bin I think. I am a baker and cake decorator so the ants were an absolute nightmare. Since getting rid of the Sonos I have had no more ants in my kitchen - its been sprayed but I am too scared to bring it back in

Anyone ever figure out a solution to this? Found ants all over the play 1 on my dresser this morning.

This will solve your ant problem, it will kill them all. They will all be dead inside the speaker though. LOL

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Terro-2-oz-Liquid-Ant-Killer-II-T200-12/202534317

Never had any issues with ants and my SONOS Play 1's, but Terro has always worked like a charm when I get ants in my house. You can get it on Amazon too. I find this topic kind of bizarre. Surprised anyone could fault SONOS for this issue. Wouldn't this be more of an environment issue?

Not sure, Gravity. I could see the potential that the ants might be interested in a glue used inside the speaker, for instance. Not too many other things I could think of that would interest them, since it's mostly electronics inside there. And the couple of posts I've seen about this over the last several years have been Play:1s, so I wonder if there's a different kind of glue used in them.

I've had a lot of issues with Ants in my California home, especially in the kitchen area, but they've never been interested in my Play:1s. But as you say, for me it's certainly an environment issue, dealt with by employing an exterminator, but since they've never been "at" my speakers, I'm not sure how to respond to the issue.

My first thought would be to put it in the freezer overnight, however, ants come back to my backyard after each winter so maybe they're capable of surviving cold temps.

So, I've run into this same issue and was astounded to see how many other people have had this occur too. I was optimistic when I read the first response from Sonos support saying, reach out to us, so I did. And what a joke! They were ridiculous!!! The guys response was, "That happens. There is nothing we can do." No offer of suggestions until I pressed him for SOMETHING and he put me on hold to come back on a few minutes later and tell me to have my home owners insurance cover this. Yes, great plan. Let me pay a deductible to have my home owners insurance cover a Play1 cost. Next, I get the automated email saying that my issue is resolved and let them know if I disagreed. Yes, I disagree. The least you could do is provide some helpful information. I've copied and pasted the ever so helpful response from Sonos. Looks like this company needs to learn a little about Customer Support.

"Response Via Email (Kevin C) 04/12/2017 03:46 PM
Hello

I hope all is well.

Unfortunately we do not have support or cover for any products that has been affected by infestations. As a suggestion, you may want to look into any local electronics store or pest control that may be able to help you with removal of the infestation if the speaker is still functional otherwise. Please keep in mind if the speaker is no longer functional or damaged from the attempted repair, then the unit will have to be replaced entirely. In this event, I would like to clarify contacting your homeowner's insurance may be the only recourse short of purchasing a new speaker.

In terms of ant infestations, this can be found in electronics and devices outside of Sonos as well. I would certainly check for any other devices you may have as well and not limit this to Sonos.

If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to let me know. I will be more than happy to assist you where I am able.

Thank you,

Kevin C.
Sonos | Technical Support Specialist | Customer Care
Ask questions, find answers, and share your thoughts on the Sonos Community.

I have the same problem. Play 1 near a patio door. Another Play1 on a table on the other side of the room does not have the problem.

It reminds me of the damage being done by squirrels to automobile electrical systems. The industry has changes the material covering the conductive copper wires to a soy based material... which the squirrels find to be rather tasty. So there are occurrences of people coming out and trying to start their cars... and can't because the wires have been eaten - are not at all unusual.

In this case, it could be a combination of "tasty" materials and/or that the Play1 is a comfortably warm place for the Queen to be... as part of the electronics are always on.

My Play1 is current in a thick (freezer quality) zip lock bag in which I have sprinkled some diatamacous earth. If I get to the point where I think they are all dead, I will try using it again... but will have to put it someplace less convenient to access.

I'll join in this thread necromancy.

I've not had any issues with insects seeking out our Sonos gear. I'll give the advice on how we handle any infestations of ants, which used to be a lot more common for us.

I start with Terro liquid bait. They take both the poison, and other ants who die from poison back to the colony for max effectiveness. Once the activity at the trap dies down (ha ha) then I cover the point of entry with diatomaceous earth or a long lasting poison.

Of course you'll not want them to trot all the dead back to your speaker, so it isn't a perfect fix for that. Let's be serious though it isn't the speaker's siren call that's getting them in the house. If you can catch them before they set up shop things will be dramatically easier to handle.

My Play1 is current in a thick (freezer quality) zip lock bag in which I have sprinkled some diatamacous earth. If I get to the point where I think they are all dead, I will try using it again... but will have to put it someplace less convenient to access.

An ingenious solution to a problem which shouldn't exist in the first place. 😉