Your home is not the only place that can suffer from an ant infestation. Your car is just as likely to get infested by these pests. So, how do you get rid of the ants in your car?
Why you have ants in your car
First, you have to ask why you have ants in your car in the first place. If you know why they are there, you can eliminate these reasons to make your car less attractive to these pests. Here are the most common reasons:
- Your car has food and water. Ants are some of the most industrious animals in the world. They will look at every nook and cranny in their vicinity to search for food and water. Your home is a good place to search, but your car is just as good a place. No, ants are not just attracted to whole foods and drinks. They are also attracted to crumbs, droplets, stains, and even food wrappers.
- You park your car near an anthill. Sure, your car may not have food and water in it, but this doesn’t mean it will be immune to ants. Ants can get into your car too as they search the general area around their nest. The effect is much worse if you park your car near an anthill.
- Ants are nesting in your car. Parking your car near an ant nest is already bad in itself. It can only get worse if your car becomes the ant nest itself. Ants like insulation structures in and around wires, whether these are in your home or in your car.
Why having ants in your car is bad news
If you have ants in your car, get rid of them as fast as you can. They are bad news not just for your car, but also for everyone who uses it.
- Ants can cause serious structural damage. A few hitchhiking ants will probably cause no problems in your car, but an entire colony of ants is an entirely different matter. Ants can ruin the electrical wirings of your car. This can result in malfunctions such as door control problems and light loss, fires, and an increased risk of electric shock.
- Ants bite when threatened. This is probably not news to you, but ants bite when they feel they are in danger. As small animals, don’t be surprised if they feel threatened easily. You may be casually sitting on the passenger seat when you suddenly feel the sting of an ant bite. Some ant species are worse than others when it comes to biting intensity. You are not very lucky if the ants in your car happen to be fire ants.
How to get rid of the ants in your car
Here is the good news – you now know why there are ants in your car and why these pests are detrimental for your vehicle and its users. You can now start getting rid of them. In order to get rid of the ants in your car, you have to get rid of the reasons why they are there in the first place.
Remove the food and water that are attracting them into your car. Park your car in a safer place. And clean your surroundings.
Clean the interior of your car
Dispose of all food and water sources, such as condiment sachets, food crumbs, fast food packaging, plastic cups, and water bottles. Remove the carpets, seat covers, and other items that may have crumbs or stains on them. Wash them appropriately.
Now that your car’s interior is bare, use a vacuum cleaner to clean it out thoroughly. Give particular attention to cracks and crevices where ants may hide. It’s great if you have different nozzle sizes for your vacuum cleaner. They will help you get into the spots that are harder to reach.
Wipe the belts, compartments, dashboard, seats, and doors and windows with a damp cloth.
Clean the exterior of your car
Take your car to a powerful car wash to clean the exteriors effectively. But you can also clean the exterior of your car on your own. Give particular attention to the tires and wheels. After all, these are the parts getting contact with the ground where ants may come from.
Ants leave a scent in their trail. Other ants follow this scent. Your tires and wheels probably have this scent if your car has suffered from an ant infestation.
Use baits or pesticides for the ants
If you think you still have an ant problem in your car, use baits or pesticides to get rid of the ants. It’s best to use baits for the interior of your car, especially under the carpets and seats. It’s best to use pesticides for the exterior. Spray on the tires, wheels, and other low-lying parts.
Before using these products, make sure they are properly registered. Read the instructions in their packaging for maximum effectiveness and safety. Also, consider hiring professional pest control services if you think this is too much of a hassle.
Park your car in a safer part of your property
Remember that ants can thrive not just in soil, but also in plants. If you are parking your car near soil and plants, consider moving your car in a safer part of your property. If you have no other spot to park your car, consider parking in an entirely different location, preferably somewhere near your home.
Get rid of the ant nest if you can
This is a great tip if you don’t have any other spot to park your car. To find the ant nest in your property, follow the ant trail. Look for cracks in your driveway or sidewalk, mounds of dirt, piles of dead ants, rotten wood, and wood shavings. These are solid signs of an ant nest.
Once you see the ant nest, scatter baits near it or spray the pesticide directly in it. If you want to go all-natural, you can also pour boiling water into it.