Ants are pesky little insects that can enter your car and nest in the interiors. These carpenter ants will not only make a mess of your car’s interior, but they can also damage the upholstery and other parts of the vehicle. In this article, we look at how to get rid of ants in your car, so you can drive it again with a peace of mind.
How To Get Rid Of Ants In A Car?
Bleach
Bleach is a great natural way to kill ants. You can pour a bit of bleach into a spray bottle, and then spray it on any ant nests you find. Bleach will kill any ants it comes into contact with, and the smell will dissipate soon afterward. The only downside to using bleach is that it can damage your car’s interior. It’s best to use the bleach on the floor mats and on any other areas they may be nesting.
Canned Air
Canned air is a great way to get rid of ants in a car because it can blow them away and even kill them if the air pressure is high enough. Make sure to shake the can of air before you use it to make sure you distribute the ant repellent throughout the can. Shake the can every minute or two for the best results.
Boric Acid
Boric acid is a great way to kill ants in a car because it kills them both on contact and when they ingest it. Ants eat almost anything, so boric acid can be used in places where they are crawling. Boric acid is non-toxic to humans, so you can sprinkle it on the floor mats, under the seats, and anywhere else the ants are nesting.
Coffee Ground & Cornmeal Mix
Both coffee grounds and cornmeal are great at repelling ants. You can mix the two and leave it in a few places (between the seats, under the seats, etc.) or you can simply sprinkle the mixture on the floor mats. Ants don’t like the smell of coffee or cornmeal, so they will avoid coming into contact with the ground or cornmeal. This is a great solution for getting rid of ants in a car because it doesn’t require any cleanup. The only downside is that it may not kill the ants.
Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is a great way to get rid of ants in a car because the powder will repel the ants and cut off the food supply. Make sure you get an unscented dry shampoo to avoid attracting more ants. Spray the dry shampoo anywhere ants are crawling. The dry shampoo will coat the ants and suffocate them.
How Do You Know If There Are Ants In Your Car?
Smell for an Ant-like Odor
The first thing you should do is try and identify any ant-like odors. If there are ants in your car, they will leave behind a certain scent that you should be able to notice if you have a good nose. This smell is caused by ant waste and should be a clear indicator that you have an ant problem. You should try and identify this smell as soon as possible so you can get the situation under control. If you notice a persistent ant-like smell in your car, it’s likely that ants have made a home inside your car’s electrical system. This is a very serious problem that should be dealt with quickly before the ants cause permanent damage. If you smell ants in your car and can’t locate their source, you should have your car inspected by a mechanic as soon as possible.
Check Your Food Storage Areas
If you are noticing a high number of ants inside your car, it’s likely that they are after your food. Ants are attracted to sweet-tasting items and have even been known to seek out soft drinks. If there is any food in or around your car (including loose change or gum), it is likely that ants will find it. If you have food in your car, it’s important to make sure that it is properly stored. You should also check your vehicle’s passenger compartment as well as other areas where food could be hidden. Ants are particularly attracted to crumbs and will likely go out of their way to find them. If food is left in your car, it’s likely that ants will eventually find it and make themselves at home.
Check the Floor Mats
If ants are already inside your car, it’s likely that they will try to move around. This could mean traveling along with your car’s interior and even down to the floor mats. If you notice ants on your floor mats, it could be a sign that they are trying to move around your car. This could mean that your car’s interior is infested with ants or that they are trying to find a way inside. If you notice a high number of ants on the floor mats, you should lift them up to check for ants underneath. Ants can sometimes burrow into the mats and create nests. If they are able to get under the mats, they will be difficult to get rid of and may also affect your car’s drive. It’s important to deal with ants on the mats as quickly as possible to prevent them from getting inside the car.
Inspect Your Wheels
Finally, you should also check your car’s wheels for signs of an ant infestation. If there are ants inside your car, it’s likely that they are going to try and find a way to get outside. If ants are inside your car, they will likely be in your wheels. Ants that are inside your wheels can cause major damage to your tires. The damage could get so bad that you could end up having to replace your tires entirely. If you notice a high number of ants on or around your wheels, it’s important to deal with the problem as quickly as possible.
What Type Of Ant Is In Your Car?
You can identify the type of ant that is in your car by seeing what they build their nest out of. Some of the ants you can find in your car include: –
- Fire ants: The ants that usually nest in your car are fire ants. Fire ants prefer warm and dry places, so they will nest in your car’s upholstery, behind your car’s glove compartment, in the car’s tires, and even under the car’s hood. Fire ants nest in mud, so you will find their nests are made out of the mud.
- Carpenter ants: Carpenter ants eat wood. You can find carpenter ants in your car’s tires, the car’s undercarriage, the car’s engine, and in areas where the car is touching a wooden surface.
Ways To Prevent Ants From Entering Your Car
There are a few ways you can go about preventing ants from entering your car:
- Keep your car clean: You don’t want to invite ants into your car in the first place. If there is food or dirt in your car, ants will see it as an opportunity to find a new place to live. Clean your car regularly, and keep it free of food crumbs, dirt, and spills.
- Use a sealant: If your car has cracks or gaps where ants can enter, use sealant to plug the gaps. Sealants come in different forms, from caulking to sealants you can spray on your car.
- Place barriers: You can use barriers such as flypaper or sticky paper to catch ants in your car. This is a temporary solution, and you might have to replace the paper often.
3 Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Ants In Your Car
These are three natural ways you can use to get rid of ants in your car: –
- Cinnamon: Sprinkle cinnamon on areas where you have seen ants. Ants don’t like cinnamon, so they will move away from the area. You can also mix cinnamon with baking soda to create a fine powder. Place the fine powder in areas where you have seen ants, and they will pick up the scent and move away.
- Boric acid: Boric acid is another ant killer that is safe to use in your car. Boric acid is a natural insecticide. Mix boric acid with water, and you have liquid boric acid that you can pour in cracks in your car’s interior.
- Peppermint oil: If ants are nesting in your car’s cracks, you can use peppermint oil to get rid of them. Rub a few drops of peppermint oil on the ants, and they will be gone. You can also mix peppermint oil with water to create a solution that you can pour into the car’s cracks.
Conclusion
Ants are pesky little insects that can enter your car and nest in the interiors. These carpenter ants will not only make a mess of your car’s interior, but they can also damage the upholstery and other parts of the vehicle. There are a few ways you can go about getting rid of ants in your car. To get rid of ants in your car, you can also place ant traps near the ant nest, find the ant nest, and pour boiling water over it.
