Are you seeing ants in your car? Here’s how to deal with them.
We talk a lot about ants getting into your home, especially in areas like your kitchen, bathroom, and garage. But what many people don’t realize is that these tiny insects may also find their way into your vehicle. The last thing you want is to be driving down the road and discover an ant crawling up your leg. Now that we’ve put that thought in your head, you’re probably wondering how to get rid of ants in your car, so let’s have a quick discussion about it.
The Danger of Ants Getting in Your Car
People can be very easily startled when driving in their vehicle. If an ant suddenly starts crawling on you, you might flinch and cause an accident. Perhaps that doesn’t sound feasible because bugs don’t startle you.
Well, you also need to consider the fact that ants can get into your engine compartment. If they do so in high enough quantities, it’s possible that they can gum up your engine and cause electrical issues. They may not be as destructive as rodents, but you don’t want your engine to be seized up because of an infestation.
Why Ants May Want to Get in Your Car
The biggest reason why ants want to get in your car is because they smell food or water. Finding sources of nourishment is the priority of ants at all times. Their sense of smell is actually better than a dog’s, which means they can detect crumbs and spills from a far distance. It’s also possible that they might be seeking out the warmth of your engine, which is what leads to potential damage.
How to Get Rid of Ants in Your Car
To avoid potential damage to your engine (and maybe a jump scare or two), you need to learn how to get rid of ants in your car.
Here are a few simple methods that will keep a vehicular infestation at bay:
Inspect the Vehicle
One of the simplest things you can do to get rid of ants in your car is to inspect the vehicle in the first place. If you live in an area where ants are common, you might want to take a look at your engine compartment each day. Even if it might seem like overkill sometimes, saving yourself from an ant infestation and/or damage to your engine is worth the effort.
Remove Food Sources
If you drop any crumbs in the car, this could be an invitation for ants to crawl inside. Make sure that you clean your car on a regular basis and definitely pick up any food that’s been dropped on the floorboard or seats. Food wrappers and crumbs can also get under the floor mats, so check those, too.
Remove Potential Water Sources
So, that one time you spilled a Slurpee on the floorboard and didn’t clean it up really well? You might get ants because of that. Make sure liquid spills are cleaned up right away. Even just a few drops can cause nearby ants to come running.
Use a Vacuum Cleaner
Many people don’t even think about using a vacuum cleaner to get rid of ants, but it works quite well. You may need a couple of special attachments because some of the areas where the ants can get in are likely to be narrow. Since the ants will be alive when you suck them up, empty the bag as soon as possible. You can also put some diatomaceous earth in the bag to kill them.
Apply Essential Oils
Any kind of instruction on how to get rid of ants in your car wouldn’t be complete without mentioning essential oils. There are several different types of essential oils that will repel ants and other pests, such as peppermint, lemongrass, eucalyptus, citrus, and rosewood. You can create an effective ant spray by mixing a few drops of one of these essential oils in 24 ounces of water. Then, apply it to various areas of your car.
Contact ProHealth Pest Control to Learn How to Get Rid of Ants in Your Car
ProHealth Pest Control offers superior ant control for homes and businesses. If you have any questions about our pest control services or would like to schedule an appointment, reach out to us at (727) 472-9420 today.
