Crazy ants in your car are more than just an annoyance—they can cause significant discomfort and even damage if left unchecked. These tiny pests can invade for many reasons, including the lure of food or warmth.
Here’s how to handle an ant infestation in your car and keep it ant-free.
Key Takeaways
- Ant infestations in cars often happen due to food or shelter, so thorough cleaning is essential.
- Ant bait, traps, or natural repellents like essential oils or sprays can effectively eliminate ants and trails.
- Hidden nests in areas like the engine bay or upholstery should be addressed with diatomaceous earth or boric acid.
- If DIY methods fail, consult a pest control expert for targeted treatments and long-term ant prevention strategies.
6 STEPS TO GET RID OF ANTS IN YOUR CAR
Crazy ants, along with other types of ants like sugar ants, black ants, and even carpenter ants, invade car interiors, searching for shelter and food.
When this happens, here’s how to tackle the problem effectively:
1. Clean the Car Thoroughly
Start by removing trash from food items and candy wrappers.
Vacuum every corner, including under floor mats and in wheel wells. A heavy-duty portable vacuum cleaner is your best tool for this step.
Don’t forget to clean under the seats and in other hard-to-reach crevices where ants might hide.
2. Use Ant Bait and Traps
Place ant bait stations in areas where you’ve spotted ants. Products like Terro are highly effective at luring worker ants back to their ant colony, where the bait will eliminate the infestation.
Alternatively, use ant traps to capture and kill ants directly.
3. Apply Ant Sprays or Natural Deterrents
If you prefer a DIY approach, use a spray bottle to apply a mixture of water and essential oils like peppermint or tea tree oil. These natural repellents disrupt pheromone trails and deter ants.
For a stronger solution, consider using a commercial ant spray or ant killer, but avoid overusing any harmful products in your car.
4. Disrupt Scent Trails
Crazy ants rely on scent trails to communicate.
Clean areas where ants have traveled using vinegar or soapy water to break these trails and prevent more ants from following.
5. Inspect for Nests
Look for an ant nest in hidden areas like the engine bay, upholstery, or trunk. If you find one, carefully vacuum it out and clean the area.
6. Try Diatomaceous Earth or Boric Acid
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth along entry points and under floor mats. This natural powder dehydrates ants, making it a safe, non-toxic option.
Mix boric acid with sugar or honey to create a DIY bait that ants will carry back to their ant colony.
PREVENTING FUTURE ANT INFESTATIONS
Once you’ve successfully removed ants from your car, take these steps to ensure they don’t come back:
- Avoid eating in your car or leaving potential food sources unattended.
- Clean up any spills or crumbs promptly.
- Schedule a thorough exterior wash to remove ants lingering on the car’s surface or near entry points.
- Don’t choose a parking spot near ant hills or known pest hotspots.
- Inspect door seals and other crevices to block ants from getting inside.
- Keep an eye out for worker ants or new scent trails.
WHEN TO CALL A PEST CONTROL EXPERT
If DIY methods fail to resolve your ant problem, it’s time to seek help from a pest control expert. An exterminator can:
- Identify the species of ants causing the issue.
- Use targeted treatments, such as bait or a bug bomb, to eliminate the infestation.
- Provide advice on long-term ant control strategies.
That’s where we at LaJaunie’s Pest Control come in. Our expert team can eliminate the ants for good and provide tips to keep them from coming back.
Let us handle the hard work so you can enjoy an ant-free ride with peace of mind. Reach out to us today!