Got ants in, and on, the car. I’m not sure what attracted them in the first place as we don’t keep food in the car. I’ve been led to believe that ants rarely climb up rubber tires. We keep a cover on the car when parked in the “open air” garage - more like a carport. There’s a strap on the cover that lays on the ground so I’m wondering if that provided a bridge from ground to car.

What have others done to rid their cars of ants?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Chris,

That's weird. I took a quick look at the corner of my screen to see if it might be April 1.

There are at least 4 types of ants that live around me. They all live in colonies excavated underground, except for carpenter ants who do their excavating in decaying trees or lumber. If you see them in a house or barn it's a sure sign that water is getting in and there's some punky wood around.

I can't see them moving into a car, even a high end foreign job, and they don't do much lounging around that I have seen. They're either doing housework in their home or foraging for food and hauling it back for the others.

My guess is that there's a dead mouse or snake that's being harvested and they'll be gone when it is. We always get a few come by in the spring when we're processing maple syrup in the kitchen, but they're gone once everything is cleaned up.

How many are there and what type ? I'd think if you watched them a while you'd be able to see what their up to. Like Amarin, I'd hesitate to go genocidal on them if they're just cleaning up your car. Insects are an important part of the ecosystem and they're under a lot of stress these days.

Peter

Hi,

One effective method is to use WD40.

I was taught not to kill ants uncessarily unless they bite you. They're hardworking species good for environment. Some species of ants do "listen" to you if you tell them to go away nicely. Give them a few hours to disperse. Else use WD40. It will wipe out their "chem trails" too. And for months they won't even dare to come near.

Amarin.

I agree that Terro is a good approach. It is a thick liquid that can be placed in bottom caps. Replenish it as needed.
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Any twenty minute job is just a broken bolt away from a three day ordeal

Terro ant bait. They take it back to the colony and kills them off.