If you have ever struggled with ants at home, You know how frustrating they are to get rid of. Sadly, Home isn't the only place these uninvited guests can set up shop. Vehicles are another place that can harbor ants for long periods of time. Ants are clever little creatures and quite tough for their size. Ants forage for food and leave signals known as pheromones if they find food so that other ants can help carry it back to the colony. Ants are omnivores, so they are not indiscriminate with what they like to eat. The remains of a sweet drink and the smallest crumbs can make a great feast.
Why Does My Vehicle Have Ants?
If you see one or two ants in the car, most likely they are lone workers looking for food. If they don't find anything, they will go. The most common reason ants enter a vehicle is due to parking near an ant nest, usually near trees or grassy areas. Another possible cause of ants entering is from the items where the ants live, For example, you have just left a box with ants inside. This can cause ants to breed and infest your car.
There are many things you can try to get rid of ants in your car and it's usually safest and best to try less invasive methods first.. Here are some tips quoted by Otodiva.com from Oards.com. Come on, let's see!
1. Move Vehicle
Just in case the car is parked near an ant nest, moving it far away can solve the problem as the ants won't be able to find your car anymore. However, keep in mind that ant pheromones can be strong and the ants can find the trail again if the vehicle is not moved far enough.
2. Clean the Inside of the Vehicle
One of the first steps you should take is to thoroughly clean the vehicle with a quality interior detailing product. Throw away all the trash, because even used candy wrappers and drink cups can have plenty of food molecules for ants to enjoy.
Then vacuum the car completely, including all gaps. This is to remove as many crumbs and ants as possible. Use a vacuum cleaner with lots of attachments to do the best job, and don't forget to lift any mats and carpets you can to try to reach every surface including the trunk.
3. Clean the Vehicle Exterior
The wheels are usually the only point of contact between the car and the ground, so it is very important to clean them well to remove any traces of pheromones from their search. Consider applying ant repellent to the tires for extra protection.
Wash the rest of the vehicle as usual and pay extra attention to the underside, wheel wells, and engine room. Moderate pressure will help repel ants walking around the area. Be careful not to apply too much pressure under the hood to avoid damage.
4. Banish With Natural Ingredients
If you clean the interior and exterior of your vehicle and are still experiencing problems. You can provide some natural remedies. This is usually not as effective but is worth a try.
– Kayu manis atau Mint
Ants don't like the smell of any of these spices and cinnamon can actually kill them. Sprinkle cinnamon inside the car where you see ants, especially at possible entry points or you can place bunches of mint leaves around your car.
If the spices work to get rid of ants, extraordinary! If not, at least your car smells like fresh bread or gum.
– Vinegar
Ants also don't like the smell of vinegar, so it can be used as an effective deterrent and can even cover their pheromone trails.
Try spraying the mixture 50/50 white vinegar and water on vehicle surfaces. Vinegar is very acidic, so it's still a pretty strong solution. Be careful on different car surfaces: avoid getting this solution on exterior paint and it's a good idea to test different surfaces in less visible areas to make sure they don't damage them.
– Kapur
For some reason, ants seem to avoid chalk. So try outlining the tires with chalk where the vehicle is parked. Pest infestations are a lot of work to deal with, but hopefully you can find a solution that works for you and your situation to get rid of the ants and they won't come back.
If you are still having problems, there are many good pest control companies that can help you.
Read Also, https://otodiva.com/2021/08/02/pintu-mobil-tidak-bisa-tertutup-rapat-ini-penyebabnya/
