Weird ant problem, South FL

alexxxx89

alexxxx89

New member
Hey southern Autopians. I'm having a problem with ants in my Dodge GCV. There's no food in the vehicle (had a brief problem with roaches getting to the kids' snack crumbs and hiding in dvd cases, so all that behavior was nixed quickly) nor has there been for weeks. The last few days I've noticed different black and yellow ants crawling around on the exterior and a few along the door sills, but today was nuts. There were lines going from the front door panel openings down behind the slider doors. They finally got inside after the vehicle sat for about an hour and since driving they are all hiding again.

Any advice for this?


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Ant traps.

I'd hide some ant traps around where you park and maybe even under the hood (while parked only) to deal with them. One or two under the seats wouldn't hurt also.

I find the plastic motel looking ones work well.
 
4u2nvinmtl said:
Ant traps.

I'd hide some ant traps around where you park and maybe even under the hood (while parked only) to deal with them. One or two under the seats wouldn't hurt also.

I find the plastic motel looking ones work well.
Click to expand...

Amazon.com : Terro 1806 Outdoor Liquid Ant Baits, 1.0 fl. oz. - 6 count : Home Pest Lures : Patio, Lawn & Garden

They work pretty well.

Problem with ants is they follow a path. Yes, traps work, but they're more effective if you can figure out where they're coming from and put it in that path.

13 natural remedies for the ant invasion | MNN - Mother Nature Network

I've used a few of those methods and had good results. Personal favorite ant killer is vinegar, water, and dish soap. I've killed colonies with it. Chalk line might be worth trying if you park on pavement, might look silly but if it helps get rid of the ants who cares.


I've had a lot of ant problems, I have lake lots that sit for a while and ants/wasps love it and I've also found that ants love campgrounds... and my trailer.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions so far! The gel bait is worth a shot as is the water, vinegar, dish soap solution. I'm going to clean all the painted areas and trim pieces that they hide behind while moving from one place to the other to better document their behaviors. Killed a ton with baby wipes earlier lol.


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Just be careful with the vinegar... I haven't looked into it but I've heard it can do bad things to paint.
 
Rdkc I've read a DIY for waterspots is vinegar and distilled water. I'll look more into it.


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diatomaceous earth

Best non-toxic ant killer there is. There's probably crumbs or something sweet in some crevice you can't see.
 
I have personally seen the Gel Bait in the Syringe work really well - the only thing you have to remember is that if the ants like that bait, thousands of ants will get the txt msg and come running to that spot..

So, you need to find their Pathway, as they always use the same Pathway that has stuff on it that they smell, etc., and they stick to it, and place that gel bait directly on the Pathway, so they will see it and hopefully love it..

They must still be Smelling something coming out of your vehicle that attracts them and they will not stop until you find whatever that is and remove it completely..

When they are in the vehicle, did you track them through the vehicle to the spot that they want to get to ??

Or are they using your vehicle as a way to get from one point to another ??

They are very predictable, but a real nuisance, I am sorry this has had to happen to you !
Good luck !
Dan F
 
I've seen them going from an opening in the wheel well and travel down the length of the cabin, up the edge of the middle door opening, down the rear vent trim... And from there I lose them because they are hidden. They also hide until the car sits fr a while, then when you open the doors they are all over the door trim/seals. Maybe cleaning the seals will create an unpleasant environment for them


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Wow - these ants are nutty ---
They still have a definite path that they all travel in a long line on the ground to get to your vehicle...

For example, today I was walking down the sidewalk and noticed a line of ants traveling in both directions on the side of the walkway close to the lawns and this line went for a whole block and probably continued but I went straight at the next corner..

I cant believe they just want to ride around with you and live there - unless - there is a food source and water -
If you cannot locate the path they take to get to your vehicle the bait gel wont be very effective if at all..

How good is your vacuum ? Do you have that long flat tool that is used to get in between the seats and the console, and way under the seats ?

It may come down to removing everything from inside the vehicle, seats, spare if there, etc., and pull up the carpeting especially under the seats and see if you can locate the Queen Mother if she is aboard..

If she is in the car, and you have an entire colony, they will never go unless she goes or is eliminated....
Good Luck !
Dan F
 
The weirdest thing is that there are two different ant populations. Black, like sugar ants, and tiny yellowish ants. My counter to all of that work is a dry-ice fumigation. Basically floods the vehicle with carbon dioxide and asphyxiates anything alive inside.


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alexxxx89 said:
The weirdest thing is that there are two different ant populations. Black, like sugar ants, and tiny yellowish ants. My counter to all of that work is a dry-ice fumigation. Basically floods the vehicle with carbon dioxide and asphyxiates anything alive inside.


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Click to expand...

That is a great idea !!!!
Does it kill the eggs ???
DanF
 
alexxxx89 said:
The weirdest thing is that there are two different ant populations. Black, like sugar ants, and tiny yellowish ants. My counter to all of that work is a dry-ice fumigation. Basically floods the vehicle with carbon dioxide and asphyxiates anything alive inside.


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Click to expand...

Definitely let us know how that works once you're done. I'm very curious.
 
Maybe try one of the insect "house fogger bombs". They emit a fog for 5 minutes or so. You'd be able spray it wherever needed. Apply in the garage to prevent the wind from minimizing the spray concentration.
 
Unfortunately what sometimes happens is a new queen, looking for a nesting site finds her way into some nook, cranny, crevice, or hole in your car. If there is a food source, that helps them, but it may be that you have a leak somewhere, as they will need a water source (just like in your house if you have wet areas from a leak or condensate drain).

The gel bait usually works great as long as you can get them to eat it. Just check to make sure you don't have a leak or a plugged condensate or sunroof drain that's causing wet carpet or something like that.
 
Checking in. Attempted to pull the wheels and wheel wells, broke a lugnut. Took that as a sign and decided to deep clean the doors/sills/seals. Oddly enough I haven't seen more than one or two ants all day. Idk.


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