How to get rid of ants in car naturally

You are most likely reading this article because you have found yourself with a nasty ant infestation in your car. Ants have a strong sense of smell and can quickly find a food source. Once they lock onto it, they make their move. So, if you accidentally left some snacks in your car, chances are they found them.

Lucky for you, we have some tips and tricks that will help you find the best solution! Read on to find out how to get rid of ants in car!

• Why Are There Ants In My Car In The First Place?
  • Types Of Ants That Infest Cars
• Can Ants Damage A Car?
• How To Get Rid Of Ants In Car?
  • Interior
  • Exterior
• Prevention And Solutions
  • Natural Remedies
  • Ant Baits And Traps
• If All Else Fails: Seek Out A Professional

Why Are There Ants In My Car In The First Place?

Ants only appear when they scent a source of food somewhere. If you see ants on your dashboard, between the seats, or crawling up your arms, they probably got there in search of food. Maybe you drove up an ant nest, and they immediately caught a whiff of some stale food, sugar, or water. And now you are stuck with an infestation.

Although it is unlikely for a frequently used car to have infestations, stagnant vehicles have a higher chance of having ant nests. So if you have any crumbs or food remnants in your car, they are very likely to attract some hungry ants.

Types Of Ants That Infest Cars

The most common kinds of ants that scavenge for food are carpenter ants or worker ants, responsible for gathering food for the colony of ants. On some occasions, it is possible to spot some painful fire ants as well.

Although there are different kinds of ants, knowing the different varieties will help you find the best way to exterminate them. When in doubt, contact a pest control expert to examine the scene.

Can Ants Damage A Car?

Now that you know how the ants got there, you’re probably wondering if they can do any damage to your car. Some varieties, especially fire ants, can chew off car cables, which could damage your car’s engine or dashboard.

This can cost you a lot of money to repair. They can also destroy the leather or foam of your car seats, which is also very annoying.

Once you spot the ants, you must take immediate steps to solve the problem. For any electrical issues, consult a professional to inspect your car for reassurance.

Other than that, having ants in your car could leave you and your passengers with painful bites, stings, or allergic reactions. So, if you are sick of having ants crawling around and ruining the look of your car, read on to find out how you can get rid of them!

Hygiene is essential, not just for you but for your car as well. Cleaning the car inside and out will help you get rid of the problem effectively.

Interior

Make sure to thoroughly clean up any food source (i.e., wrappers, crumbs, or spillages of sticky substances) to avoid attracting ants into your car. Use a vacuum cleaner to get the tiniest food crumbs on the floor, seats, dashboard, and hidden areas.

Otherwise, anything you leave behind might bring the ants back. Wipe your seat covers, carpets, and even vents with a damp cloth and citrus spray bottle cleaner, both of which repel ants.

Exterior

Check your wheels and any spaces and cracks you might have on the exterior of your car. Wash and scrub your car and its tires, which are the most likely entry points into your car.

You can use pesticides on the wheels (leaving the brake pads) to prevent them from getting to your car.

After cleaning, another thing you can do is change your usual parking spots. Inspect the new area for any ant hills or cracks that they can crawl through and reach your vehicle.

If all this doesn’t help, then contact a pest control service for a surefire way to get rid of the ants in your car.

Prevention And Solutions

After you’ve taken the steps to get rid of the ants in your car, what should you do? There are many ant pesticides available on the market.

If you want a safer option, you can make your own remedies from natural ingredients you can find at home.

Natural Remedies

You can easily find natural remedies online when you want to use a non-toxic solution for your car. Ants hate the smell of mint, cinnamon, salt, and pepper, and you can sprinkle these around the inside of your car.

If this does not sound appealing to you, you can wipe surfaces and crevices with a citrus scent or a mixture of water and vinegar with a 1:1 ratio, which ants also can’t stand. Drawing circles with chalk around your tires is also a safe deterrent you can use.

Ant Baits And Traps

When natural remedies aren’t enough, you can opt for more extreme measures like ant traps or ant powder. These are great because they will also prevent future infestations. You can place them under the seats. They emit scents that attract both carpenter and worker ants and then trap them.

However, take precautions when using chemicals, as they can be toxic to pets and people. Read the labels carefully before installing ant bait stations or using ant spray inside your car. If you have children or pets that may be inclined to play with them, make sure to place the traps out of their reach.

If All Else Fails: Seek Out A Professional

Getting rid of ants in the car can be tricky and annoying, especially when dealing with an additional infestation. There may be some areas you missed or could not reach because you don’t have the proper equipment.

In addition, pheromone trails left by worker ants are a hassle to get rid of. The problem recurs even after you clean up every trace of food and water bottles.

In that case, 24H Pest Pros will ease your worries and solve your problem for good. Why waste time getting rid of those pesky ants when you can turn to an experienced professional who will take care of it for you once and for all?

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