carpenter ants
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: victor new york
carpenter ants
I stored my 98 coupe for 2 months under cover in florida...when I returned the door sills were infested with carpenter ants... killed all those but still find more entering the cabin. is the balsa wood floor not protected(sealed)? I just started putting Advion gel around...my concern is how do I know how much damage has been done,if any? Has anyone experienced this? any help is GREATLY appreciated
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 255
From: Lake Tapps WA.
Carpenter ants only go for rotted wood. Not likely to be after your car other than for shelter maybe.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
Yes they require moisture...may have been a few foraging around. The balsa wood is only used for sound/heat insulation not a structural component. Use borax under floor mats and carpeting. Would check for moisture too. We all must admit this is a first, Good luck, Rob
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Hope you get rid of the ants soon - would be a PITA to have to constantly deal with them in the car.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: San Gabriel Valley California
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Quick; drive your car up to the upper midwest, or east to where it is bitterly cold for a few days. Let it sit out, in the cold nights for a while.
That; should take care of the ants, I would imagine. With no smell of chemical treatment....
Sorry, it 's the only thing I could think of, that is helpful to your problem.
That; should take care of the ants, I would imagine. With no smell of chemical treatment....
Sorry, it 's the only thing I could think of, that is helpful to your problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 26
From: Delaware
Had this happen with an old turbo Shelby Charger I had. I bought some ant traps and put them on the car, hood, roof and hatch. If they are in the car put one inside to. The traps are odorless and doesn't leave any mess. Works like a charm!!!!
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 660
Likes: 16
From: Tustin California
Any pyrethrin based liquid will work. Bifenthrin (Talstar) has no oder and is mixed with water and probably won't leave a stain. Boric acid will work, but it's a powder and you don't want the dust blowing around in the cabin. Or get an anteater!! Rod
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
What was the purpose?
Seriously, I've never heard of ants infesting a car.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: victor new york
a lot of your answers brought a smile to my face just to let some of you know carpenter ants won't be affected with ant traps EL original is correct they are looking for moisture however this isn't just a few strays there were at least 50 per door I was just wondering if anyone had experienced the same, thank you all for your comments...i'll let you know how the treatment i'm using works.should take about a week
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 295
Likes: 32
From: Woodbridge Virginia
I had it happen to me but not carpenter ants. Broke out the shop vac and got rid of as many as I could then set bait traps (Tero) which worked. Did have to keep going back with the shop vac for a few weekends. In my case they were climbing up on the car cover and making nests in the engine compartment. Between the vac, bait traps and running the car up to running temps a few times a week (to get rid of moisture in the bay and kill the ants with the heat) the eventually subsided. This winter I put 5 cups full of moth ***** in and around the engine figuring if there are ants there might be mice and so far this year the bay has been clean.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 707
Likes: 18
From: Reinholds PA
Carpenter ants do not eat wood they chew it to nest in it. They live in voids like hollow doors and under insulation in homes. The probably used your voids in your corvette to nest when it warms they will be outside looking for food Do you have any maple trees around your garage, if so get a granular ant bait to treat around the trees. A favorite food of carpenters is Aphid drippings which people thik is sap from the trees
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Carpenter ants do not eat wood they chew it to nest in it. They live in voids like hollow doors and under insulation in homes. The probably used your voids in your corvette to nest when it warms they will be outside looking for food Do you have any maple trees around your garage, if so get a granular ant bait to treat around the trees. A favorite food of carpenters is Aphid drippings which people thik is sap from the trees
