Creepy Crawlies in Your Electric Gate Motor: The Hidden Problem That Could Cost You Hundreds
If your automatic gate suddenly stops working, moves half a metre, then gives up completely, you might assume it’s a mechanical issue. Often, the culprit causing the mechanical issue is far smaller, sneakier, and a whole lot creepier.
Yep — we’re talking about ants, geckos, spiders, and even snakes setting up camp inside your gate motor housing. With the Gold Coast heating up, these freeloading tenants are moving in faster than you can say “where’s the bug spray?”
In this article, we’ll break down why these pests love your gate motor, how they cause damage, and what you can do to keep them out. Plus, when it’s time to call the pros (that’s us — your friendly gate experts covering Burleigh to Beenleigh and out west to Canungra).
Why bugs love your electric gate motor
Automatic gate motors are basically the Gold Coast version of a luxury hotel for creepy crawlies:
- Warm: Electrical components give off heat.
- Dry: Sealed motor box looks like prime real estate, especially in summer storms.
- Dark & hidden: Perfect for nesting, laying eggs, or hunting other insects.
- Safe from predators: Birds can’t reach them, and the walls stay toasty.
To an ant or gecko, your gate housing is paradise. Unfortunately, while they’re living their best life, your electronics are quietly dying.
The Most Common Gate Motor Invaders (and What They Do)
- Ants
The Gold Coast’s biggest offenders.
Ants love the electrical warmth and dry shelter of a gate motor or control box. But when they march across circuits or relay boards, they cause short circuits, corrosion, and board failure.
When one gets electrocuted, it releases pheromones that attract more ants — creating a swarm inside your motor.
Symptoms:
- Gate opens or closes randomly
- Motor clicking but not moving
- Burnt smell near control box
- Visible ants crawling from gaps
- Geckos
Cute? Yes. Harmless? Not at all.
Geckos are drawn to the warmth of transformers and relays — and when their tails or bodies bridge live components, they fry instantly. Sadly, that often takes out the circuit board with them.
Symptoms:
- Gate completely dead or tripping power
- Burnt smell or “pop” noise when switching on
- Fried gecko (or what’s left of one) inside
- Spiders
Spiders don’t usually short anything out, but they’re excellent at blocking sensors and limit switches with webs. Some even nest inside the photo-eye sensors, causing gates to stop mid-cycle or refuse to close.
Symptoms:
- Gate stops halfway
- “Obstruction” error showing on display
- Fine cobwebs across sensors or inside tracks
- Cockroaches, Moths, and Frogs
Cockroaches chew soft wiring and insulation, while moths lay eggs that gunk up moving parts. Frogs — particularly in wetter suburbs like Canungra — love sitting in warm housings, leaving moisture that leads to rust and corrosion.
Symptoms:
- Moisture or rust inside housing
- Wiring damage or frayed insulation
- Inconsistent motor function after rain
- Snakes
Not as common as ants, geckos, or spiders, but when they show up — you won’t forget it.
As the weather heats up, snakes are everywhere and they head for cool, dark places like your gate motor housing or along the base of sliding gates.
But a curious python or tree snake can easily knock wires loose, damage components, or trigger sensors while slithering through the motor. Aside from the obvious jump scare, they can cause real electrical or mechanical issues if they wedge themselves in tight spots.
Symptoms:
- Gate jams halfway or won’t open at all
- Safety beams tripping for no clear reason
- Rustling or movement near the motor housing
- Shed snakeskin or droppings inside the box
Why It Matters (and How It Hits Your Wallet)
The problem isn’t just the bugs themselves — it’s what they leave behind:
- Corrosion and short circuits from moisture or electrocuted pests
- Contaminated contacts that cause unreliable performance
- Burnt-out circuit boards, which can cost hundreds to replace – if parts are available.
- Voided warranties — manufacturers and we cannot cover “insect damage”
Ignoring pest issues can easily turn a maintenance fix into a very costly replacement.
Simple Prevention Steps you can do at home
The good news: there are things you can do from home to try and keep your electric gate motor pest-free.
Here are our top tradie-approved prevention tips:
- Seal It Up
Make sure your motor housing is properly sealed. Check that:
- Cable entries are tight and sealed with silicone.
- Unused holes or conduit entries are plugged.
- The lid closes flush and the gasket isn’t cracked or missing.
Even a 5 mm gap is enough for ants or geckos to squeeze through.
- Barrier Spray
A pest barrier spray every few months will help to keep ants, cockroaches, and spiders away.
Just avoid spraying directly on the electronics! It’s for the perimeter, not the parts.
- Regular Cleaning
Pop the lid every few months and check for:
- Debris, webs, or moisture
- Dead insects or gecko droppings
- Loose wiring or signs of corrosion
If you’re not confident doing this yourself, book a quick gate health check with us. We’ll handle the inspection, cleaning, and test all components safely.
Schedule preventative maintenance for your electric gate motor
Like anything mechanical, your gate performs best when serviced regularly.
A professional service includes:
- Cleaning and inspecting control boards and all internal parts
- Testing sensors, safety beams, and keypads – changing batteries if required
- Checking wiring and power supply
- Resealing any cable entry points
If you live between Burleigh, Beenleigh, and west to Canungra, we can schedule you for a pre-summer maintenance visit — before the bugs start moving in.
Remember, with rain comes more creepy crawlies so best to book in ASAP before the worst of summer heat and rain hits us!
Before summer really kicks in and the creepy crawlies get comfy, give your gate motor a once-over or let us handle it for you.
👉 Book your Gate Motor Maintenance Service today.
We’ll clean, test, and reseal your system minimising the likelihood of a pest invasion — all for far less than the cost of a new circuit board!
Call Automatic Entry Specialists on 5519 4238 / 0406 317 800 or send a message to info@automaticentryspecialists.com.au to lock in your pre-summer gate check.