A wise friend pointed out that the ants nesting around and under my car
were mostly just seeking heat. But in the summer they also enjoy the nice
water that drips from the a/c.
I and my exterminator are still experimenting with getting rid of them.
The exterminator's approach is to drown the nests with poison - no subtlety
there. Two tries have taken out about 8 of 10 mounds. The scariest part:
Two brown widows showed up to help with the effort. Ack.
How To Get Rid of Ants
Summary: Before you plunge your house or belongings into pesticide oblivion, it's important to know that many ant issues can be resolved without a drop of insecticide spilled. Often, knowing the habits of ants will tell you exactly how to get rid of ants.
A reader asks: I need help! I have been getting bitten everyday by ants that have invaded my car. What is an easy, quick, and odorless way to get rid of both the black and red ants?
Dear Reader: You have to identify ants to effectively control them. Different ants are attracted to different types of ant baits. If you don't want to do that I would suggest purchasing several different types of ant baits that come in little "cup" containers. Some will say they are for sweet or sugar seeking ants and others will say they are for protein or grease seeking ants. You can purchase them at most hardware or grocery stores. Place the bait cups in the
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areas of your car where you are seeing the ants. Then, watch to see which baits the ants are attracted to.
Now, you need to determine where the ants are coming from. Are you parking your car directly over an ant nest? Are you transporting something that is attracting the ants like boxes of fruit or other types of food? Or, perhaps you put something in your car that had ants living in it.
Ants often require a water source, so I would think your ant infestation is being caused by something you are doing to attract them, rather than thinking that the ants have created a permanent nesting area inside your car.
Do some sleuthing and let me know if I can offer any more suggestions?
Comments
Tricia
27 Sep 2008, 23:22
27 Sep 2008, 23:22
Ask the Exterminator
29 Sep 2008, 14:05
29 Sep 2008, 14:05
I would suggesting using a granular bait, rather than liquid. The ants
carry the pieces of bait into the nest. Kills the entire colony after a
short period.
Jodi
02 Mar 2009, 11:35
02 Mar 2009, 11:35
I live in coastal MA & believe I have ants in 1 ceiling beam on the open
cathedral ceiling in my living room. These ants are bigger than the usual
kitchen counter top ants but smaller than carpenter ants. Some have wings,
but are hour glass shaped, so I'm pretty sure they're ants & not termites.
I find debris from them on the floor & on furniture(very small brown &
black bits, that look almost like finely ground pepper. What are they, how
do I get rid of them. I noticed them last year for the 1st time, sprayed
the beam repeatedly & they seemed to go away. They are back right now &
with wings, I've never noticed them with wings before, I have probably
killed a 100 of them. Help!
Ask the Exterminator
02 Mar 2009, 21:19
02 Mar 2009, 21:19
They are ants. All ant species have winged members of the colony. These are
the reproductives that fly out and mate to begin new colonies.
The little black bits are fecal material being produced by the ants. It sounds like carpenter ants, but you need to have them identified to be certain. With proper identification you will be able to research how to control your specific ant species.
The little black bits are fecal material being produced by the ants. It sounds like carpenter ants, but you need to have them identified to be certain. With proper identification you will be able to research how to control your specific ant species.
Mary
09 Jun 2009, 15:39
09 Jun 2009, 15:39
I have carpenter ants in my bathroom ceiling and would love to know how to
get rid of them? My neighbor helped with the walls by spraying drion[sp]
powder in them but they have moved into my ceiling. How do I get rid of
them??
Ask the Exterminator
09 Jun 2009, 16:07
09 Jun 2009, 16:07
Go to my "carpenter ant" pages. Lots of answers there.
Samantha
17 Jul 2009, 03:14
17 Jul 2009, 03:14
I have ants in my car, i bought the car about a week ago, i put bait traps
in, iv'e been spraying the tires and im still seeing them. The dealership
is going to have it detailed tomorrow, do you think this will work or is it
just a waste of time?
Brittany
21 Aug 2009, 14:47
21 Aug 2009, 14:47
I have ants in my car. They are most active around noon and 5:00 PM. They
are small and black and don't bite, but I'm about to lose my mind. I've
covered my floor mats in cayenne pepper and it almost seems as if they
actually LIKE it. I've used Terro liquid ant killer - they love it - but
I'm not sure that it's killing them? Tonight I am going to try (again) to
vaccuum them out, spray my tires with ant killer and wipe down all surfaces
with some kind of cleaner...Any ideas?
Samantha
21 Aug 2009, 18:18
21 Aug 2009, 18:18
I got rid of my aunts by finding their nests. I had one in the door hinge
of the drivers door and one under my spare tire, i have a rav 4 and the
tire hangs on the trunk door. Look where you see them the most and you
will find it. It looks like mulched up dirt and leaves.
David Gordon
05 Nov 2009, 13:26
05 Nov 2009, 13:26
Just a question about a question.Jodi from coastal MA from march second
seems to have termites not ants.She says the droppings are like finely
ground pepper.That doesn't sound like ants to me.