Ants in the bonnet / Car

neutralgrey · 11th December 2009, 10:38

Hi

Did a search in the forum and didnt find any, so I think I have a very unique problem. You must have heard about the bee in the bonnet, now its the turn of ants, quite literally. Thats right, I have got ants in the bonnet! They are of the variety that makes homes in nooks and crannies in your home, so its got me worried.

Well, my question to you all is - is it ok to use bug spray (HIT) in the bonnet? I usually use it to solve ant problems at home. But I am worried about the chemical reacting with some parts in the bonnet. Or is there any other way to get rid of them? The ants arent much now, but I guess if left untreated, they will multiply and ruin something inside.

I use my car only on the weekends and most of the time during the week it remains unused. It could be the reason for them getting inside in the first place.

Please advice

Gansan · 11th December 2009, 11:42

Never use insecticide spray on your car. Check if there is any dead insect/lizard struck inside the bonnet, for which the ants come. They can't live inside the hood, the heat when you operate the car will roast them. Keep the fresh air vent of your car closed.

Also check for any ant hill/burrow in the ground underneath your car. If there is any, attack it with insecticide or pour half a bottle of kerosene down it, after removing your car first. Park your car in the hot sun for half a day with the bonnet open, to get rid of the ants inside or just go for a long drive.

Raccoon · 11th December 2009, 12:39

Aha... I have the same problem lately. Ants all over the car. And they do have potential to cause some damage...

Try this - mix some boric acid with some powdered sugar/jaggery. Add li'l water to make a homogeneous paste. Keep it where the ans can get at it fast. Soon you will see an army of ants going for it and will transport it to their burrow. Once the queen eats it, it is supposed to be good bye to the colony.

Just remember that boric acid takes time to kill... about 2-3 days. So it is not an instant fix, but a far more lasting one than spraying with insecticides, which only kills the workers who are replaced faster than you can kill. Also, you have to find the optimum boric acid - bait ratio. Less means it may not be effective and more means the ants won't fall for it.

And please do make sure no stray dogs/pets/etc can get to the bait.

beejay · 11th December 2009, 12:42

Try sprinkling the white powder you get to ward them off surrounding the area where you park.

xenxer · 11th December 2009, 12:54

Don't spray any pesticides on you car. In one way or another it will damage your car because it contains chemicals. Better way is to protect your environment or park the car in a better safe environment

Can i ask one thing, How does these bees and ants get hold in the car bonnet? how can they exist there when the car is moving? Its unimaginable for this to happen for a car that is even taken only once a week.

neutralgrey · 11th December 2009, 22:40

Yes, I had a feeling that the chemicals would do some damage. Am glad I didnt jump the gun and asked you guys first.

@gansan: I will be doing just that, me going to Bangalore for the weekend. Hope the trip gets rid of them.

@Racoon: That sounds very effective. Will try that out.

@beejay: The car is parked in a open parking area, I am not sure if it will work, the cleaning lady is sure to wash it off, will give it a shot though.

@xenxer: Me too asking the very same questions, hope I find a solution.

neutralgrey · 18th December 2009, 21:29

Hi Guys,

The trip during the last weekend seemed to have done the trick, and the ants had gone. But soon after, I found that the ants were IN the car, in the dash actually. I had forgotten a tin of mints in the glove compartment and those dudes were after it. I have removed the tin and I hope this gets rid of them for good. If not I plan to go the boric acid way, as Racoon suggested.

neutralgrey · 20th December 2009, 13:54

I guess the ants inside are gone for good. But I noticed another thing today...there were some ants in the bonnet again. On looking around I found they were after the bugs which were stuck in the grill...mostly dragonflies and butterflies. They must have gotten stuck there during my trip last weekend.

I have a question for Punto/Linea owners: How do you clean the front grill properly? Is there a quick way to do it? Everytime I do it, my fingers ache real bad and there is accumulated dust in the corners.

Raccoon · 20th December 2009, 15:16

^^^ Pressurised air or water. IMO, better to do it with air more requently.

ph03n!x · 20th December 2009, 16:00

When I read the title, I thought its some kinda corollary to Butterfly on a Wheel

Ants cant live in the car, at least under the hood. Find out where they are coming from, attack the source!

dadu · 20th December 2009, 18:30

The problem is not with ants living under the hood but with them thinking of it as a permanent home, the heat if the engine will keep them away from the hood while its hot but they move fast to other areas on the vehicle and whereever they find solace.

No matter the hot sun or a long drive you are their permanent cabbie and your vehicle their taxi.

but they come out when the sun is down or after when the vehicle rests for a few hours (in the shade). Just "Hit" it everytime and slowly they will be gone.

tj123 · 20th December 2009, 18:37

Get the car a decent wash and make sure you get the interiors clean thoroughly. Things like melted candy/cholates left by kids attract insects including ants.

Also check the place where the car is parked , that might be the root cause of the problem.

Wolfheart · 21st December 2009, 16:09

dude,

3 step solution to address your woes, read carefully:

Step 1. Get your car thoroughly cleaned and detailed. This will get rid of the ants that have been partying in your vehicle.

Step 2. Whenever you park the car in the garage, spray a generous layer of insecticide all over your tires. Since tires would be the first point of contact for any ant that wants to access your car, only a suicidal ant would try!! This will keep the ants at bay without causing any damage to your car.

3. Always ensure that in and around your house, the ants dont have any access to garlic!

Yes Garlic!!!

This is very important 'cos if you feed them garlic, the 'lil buggers will then invade your car again in search of breath mints!

Gansan · 21st December 2009, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfheart

Whenever you park the car in the garage, spray a generous layer of insecticide all over your tires.

Are you serious? Is it safe to do so?

Wolfheart · 21st December 2009, 16:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gansan

Are you serious? Is it safe to do so?

Why not! It's the only effective way of stopping the ants from gaining access to the vehicle.

Your tyres ride through all kinds of stuff anyway, why wouldnt it be safe?

11th December 2009, 10:38	#1
neutralgrey BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 75 Thanked: 16 Times	Ants in the bonnet / Car Hi Did a search in the forum and didnt find any, so I think I have a very unique problem. You must have heard about the bee in the bonnet, now its the turn of ants, quite literally. Thats right, I have got ants in the bonnet! They are of the variety that makes homes in nooks and crannies in your home, so its got me worried. Well, my question to you all is - is it ok to use bug spray (HIT) in the bonnet? I usually use it to solve ant problems at home. But I am worried about the chemical reacting with some parts in the bonnet. Or is there any other way to get rid of them? The ants arent much now, but I guess if left untreated, they will multiply and ruin something inside. I use my car only on the weekends and most of the time during the week it remains unused. It could be the reason for them getting inside in the first place. Please advice
	() Thanks

11th December 2009, 11:42	#2
Gansan Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,623 Thanked: 5,917 Times	Never use insecticide spray on your car. Check if there is any dead insect/lizard struck inside the bonnet, for which the ants come. They can't live inside the hood, the heat when you operate the car will roast them. Keep the fresh air vent of your car closed. Also check for any ant hill/burrow in the ground underneath your car. If there is any, attack it with insecticide or pour half a bottle of kerosene down it, after removing your car first. Park your car in the hot sun for half a day with the bonnet open, to get rid of the ants inside or just go for a long drive.
	() Thanks

11th December 2009, 12:39	#3
Raccoon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Poona Posts: 1,851 Thanked: 116 Times	Aha... I have the same problem lately. Ants all over the car. And they do have potential to cause some damage... Try this - mix some boric acid with some powdered sugar/jaggery. Add li'l water to make a homogeneous paste. Keep it where the ans can get at it fast. Soon you will see an army of ants going for it and will transport it to their burrow. Once the queen eats it, it is supposed to be good bye to the colony. Just remember that boric acid takes time to kill... about 2-3 days. So it is not an instant fix, but a far more lasting one than spraying with insecticides, which only kills the workers who are replaced faster than you can kill. Also, you have to find the optimum boric acid - bait ratio. Less means it may not be effective and more means the ants won't fall for it. And please do make sure no stray dogs/pets/etc can get to the bait. Last edited by Raccoon : 11th December 2009 at 12:41.
	(1) Thanks

11th December 2009, 12:42	#4
beejay Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The Nilgiris Posts: 1,974 Thanked: 219 Times View My Garage	Try sprinkling the white powder you get to ward them off surrounding the area where you park.
	() Thanks

11th December 2009, 12:54	#5
xenxer BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: TVM Posts: 102 Thanked: Once View My Garage	Don't spray any pesticides on you car. In one way or another it will damage your car because it contains chemicals. Better way is to protect your environment or park the car in a better safe environment Can i ask one thing, How does these bees and ants get hold in the car bonnet? how can they exist there when the car is moving? Its unimaginable for this to happen for a car that is even taken only once a week.
	() Thanks

11th December 2009, 22:40	#6
neutralgrey BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 75 Thanked: 16 Times	Yes, I had a feeling that the chemicals would do some damage. Am glad I didnt jump the gun and asked you guys first. @gansan: I will be doing just that, me going to Bangalore for the weekend. Hope the trip gets rid of them. @Racoon: That sounds very effective. Will try that out. @beejay: The car is parked in a open parking area, I am not sure if it will work, the cleaning lady is sure to wash it off, will give it a shot though. @xenxer: Me too asking the very same questions, hope I find a solution.
	() Thanks

18th December 2009, 21:29	#7
neutralgrey BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 75 Thanked: 16 Times	Hi Guys, The trip during the last weekend seemed to have done the trick, and the ants had gone. But soon after, I found that the ants were IN the car, in the dash actually. I had forgotten a tin of mints in the glove compartment and those dudes were after it. I have removed the tin and I hope this gets rid of them for good. If not I plan to go the boric acid way, as Racoon suggested.
	() Thanks

20th December 2009, 13:54	#8
neutralgrey BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 75 Thanked: 16 Times	I guess the ants inside are gone for good. But I noticed another thing today...there were some ants in the bonnet again. On looking around I found they were after the bugs which were stuck in the grill...mostly dragonflies and butterflies. They must have gotten stuck there during my trip last weekend. I have a question for Punto/Linea owners: How do you clean the front grill properly? Is there a quick way to do it? Everytime I do it, my fingers ache real bad and there is accumulated dust in the corners.
	() Thanks

20th December 2009, 15:16	#9
Raccoon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Poona Posts: 1,851 Thanked: 116 Times	^^^ Pressurised air or water. IMO, better to do it with air more requently.
	() Thanks

20th December 2009, 16:00	#10
ph03n!x Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coimbatore Posts: 2,602 Thanked: 6,158 Times	When I read the title, I thought its some kinda corollary to Butterfly on a Wheel Ants cant live in the car, at least under the hood. Find out where they are coming from, attack the source!
	() Thanks

20th December 2009, 18:30	#11
dadu Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 3,803 Thanked: 463 Times View My Garage	The problem is not with ants living under the hood but with them thinking of it as a permanent home, the heat if the engine will keep them away from the hood while its hot but they move fast to other areas on the vehicle and whereever they find solace. No matter the hot sun or a long drive you are their permanent cabbie and your vehicle their taxi. but they come out when the sun is down or after when the vehicle rests for a few hours (in the shade). Just "Hit" it everytime and slowly they will be gone.
	() Thanks

20th December 2009, 18:37	#12
tj123 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: BLR Posts: 1,165 Thanked: 704 Times	Get the car a decent wash and make sure you get the interiors clean thoroughly. Things like melted candy/cholates left by kids attract insects including ants. Also check the place where the car is parked , that might be the root cause of the problem.
	() Thanks

21st December 2009, 16:09	#13
Wolfheart BHPian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bombay Posts: 160 Thanked: 35 Times	dude, 3 step solution to address your woes, read carefully: Step 1. Get your car thoroughly cleaned and detailed. This will get rid of the ants that have been partying in your vehicle. Step 2. Whenever you park the car in the garage, spray a generous layer of insecticide all over your tires. Since tires would be the first point of contact for any ant that wants to access your car, only a suicidal ant would try!! This will keep the ants at bay without causing any damage to your car. 3. Always ensure that in and around your house, the ants dont have any access to garlic! Yes Garlic!!! This is very important 'cos if you feed them garlic, the 'lil buggers will then invade your car again in search of breath mints! Last edited by Wolfheart : 21st December 2009 at 16:16.
	() Thanks