Tips to Control Ant Infestation in Your Car

Ants are busy little creatures that are always on the move, at every turn these pesky little critters can be found foraging or on the hunt for the perfect location to build their colony.  From our gardens to our garbage storage area, garage, electrical outlets, appliances, kitchen, pantries, and the list can go on ants will make their presence felt either by physically seeing them, to ant trails, ant mounds, body parts such as their (flying ants) wings to delivering a painful ( fire ants) bite or sting.

It just seems to be no end of their presence even if you should come across a single ant scouting, another issue with ants is the infestation of automobiles, but why and how do ants get into our cars and what can we do to discourage and bring complete control so that our ant problem can be solved. Do you want to know how then continue reading to find effective tips that have given good results.

1. Avoid Eating in Your Car if Possible

A common practice for many persons is eating and drinking in their car, it’s either breakfast on the run, eating lunch, kids snacking, and so on, the food particles that remain can and will attract ants even roaches in some cases. Try as much as possible to avoid or limit eating and drinking in your car and if you do don’t wait as soon as you get the chance, clean up all food particles. A car vacuum is a handy tool to have on hand. Just a click of the switch and in less than 10 minutes you will be done.

2. Give Your Car a Spring Cleaning

For our cars to work for us and to continue to run like a dream we must be good to our cars, besides the annual service let’s get out there on the weekend or when we have the time and give our cars a spring cleaning. This can help to remove the remainder of any food particles and our cars will remain clean and polished

3. Change Your Parking Spot

A great way to discourage ants from your car is to switch up where you park, this move will cause ants to lose their sense trail and they won’t be able to find your car.

4. Locate the Nest

Try to locate the ant’s nest in places like your yard and driveway, once the nest is discovered destroy it, this will stop ants’ infestation in their tracks.

5. Try this DIY Remedy

Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a 32 oz spray bottle, then add 1 tablespoon of Dawn dish soap to 2-3 drops of essential oil per cup of spray. Thoroughly mix the solution and spray the entire interior of the car, including seats, doors, carpets, dashboard, and other areas where ants were spotted.

6. Essential Oils To Repel Ants

Essential oils are a pleasantly safe way to ant control, these oils will have your car smelling fresh and clean, but ants find these sent repulsive and won’t hang around. Some of these oils are:

• Lemongrass
• Rosewood
• Peppermint
• Eucalyptus
• Citrus

Mix 2-3 drops of oil in a 32-ounce spray bottle and fill with water. Next spray lightly near the doors, under the seats, and other areas of your car.

7. Ants Bait and Traps

Contact sprays can be used to kill ants that you see, while baits and traps will eliminate the ones you don’t see, a word of caution here be careful of what you are using especially if kids and pets ride in your car.

8. Call in the professional

Or you can just call in a professional to do the job for you, it will cause you more but at least your ant’s concerns will be over.

How to Prevent Ants

The presence of ants like other pests are in search of food a water source and a place to build their colonies so ants proof your car by making sure your car is food-free (food particles) at all times by either not eating in your car or vacuuming thoroughly and regularly. Many cars have leaks when it rains and this consistent moisture with wet damp car seats and rugs will also attract anst so ensure that your car is in good repair. Also, clean up spilled drinks right away because if drinks are allowed to remain and then dry will attract ants.

Conclusion

As said at the beginning the presence of ants is a clear indication that they are foraging for food, in search of water, and the ideal conditions to start their colony. The good news even though ants show up you can strike back and bring complete control by following these tips that are simple yet effective and will give you an ants-free zone.