Informational Guide

How To Get Rid Of Ants In Car

Found yourself facing an ant infestation in your car? We cover how to get rid of and remove ants in the car.

Even when you try to take care of your vehicle, you may find yourself facing an ant infestation in the car. You spend your time learning how to clean car seats and how to detail a vehicle, but it never seems to be enough.

In this guide, we cover how to get rid of ants in car so you can go back to enjoying your daily commute again.  

If you are trying to figure out how to get rid of ants in your car, you are likely wondering how they got there in the first place. Ants establish a nest before they send foragers out to check the area. They are constantly looking for water and food sources. Once they find a good source, they send messages back to the other ants in the nest that will also infiltrate the area.  

Ants can nest directly in the car, making things even more troublesome. In addition, having ants in the vehicle can be distracting, which can lead to an accident. Learning how to get ants out of a car requires that you first know what kind of ants you are dealing with.  

  • Fire Ants  
    The fire ant is red and can deliver a painful sting that triggers severe allergic reactions. For this reason, you have every right to ask, “how to get rid of fire ants in my car” before an accident is caused.  
  • Sugar Ants  
    The sugar ant is a typical type of insect that looks for sweets in your vehicle. Because there tends to be debris in a car, this is the most common to find taking over the cabin.  
  • Carpenter Ants  
    These ants are normally red, brown, and black and measure about 5/8 of an inch. However, because they tend to look for moist wood, they aren't commonly found inside vehicles.  
  • Ponerine Ants  
    You won’t normally find these types of ants in your vehicle. Instead, they will nest in forest litter, rotting logs, or soil. However, you can get some in your car if you are parked near the nest and the ants are foraging.  
  • Pavement Ants  
    These ants are very small, sometimes just 1/8-inch. They tend to be black or dark brown and will build a nest in the sidewalk or cement patio. Thankfully, they aren’t known to sting people.  
Why Are There Ants In My Car

What Damage Can Ants Cause To Your Car? 

Even though ants are small, they can lead to a lot of trouble in your car. If you don’t deal with them quickly and learn how to get rid of sugar ants in a car, you could be dealing with a more costly problem down the road.  

Some types of ants will nibble on electrical wiring, causing a short that is hard to diagnose. Not only that, but you can find yourself dealing with ant stings, which could lead to an allergic reaction that could create an accident if you become panicked. 

How To Get Rid Of Ants In Car: Step-by-Step Guide 

Can I bomb my car for ants or can I spray ant killer in my car? If you want to know how to kill ants in a car, gather these supplies. 

  • Car vacuum 
  • Chosen cleaning solution (see below for some ideas) 
  • Clean microfiber cloths 
  • Protective gloves 

How To Get Rid Of Ants In Car Vents? 

  1. 1
    Inspect the vehicle to determine what vents are dealing with an infestation. 
  2. 2
    With gloves on your hands, remove any nest you might see.  
  3. 3
    Clean the vents completely with your chosen spray and by vacuuming them out.  
  4. 4
    You may also need to change the cabin air filter for a thorough clean, especially if the ants have gotten into the air conditioning system.  
  5. 5
    Recheck the vents after a few days and retreat if needed.  

How To Get Rid Of Ants In Car Engines? 

  1. 1
    With gloved hands, remove any nest you might see. 
  2. 2
    Spray down the engine and clean it thoroughly. 
  3. 3
    You should also wash the entire exterior to remove any other ants hiding in the mechanical parts or on the undercarriage.  
  4. 4
    Wipe it down with a compatible cleaner for your vehicle. 
  5. 5
    Remember to clean the inside of the car in case there are sugary substances that are causing the ants to climb across the engine.  
  6. 6
    Recheck the engine after a few days and retreat if needed.  

How to Get Rid Of Ants In Car Seats? 

  1. 1
    Remove any trash and debris from the inside of the car. 
  2. 2
    With gloved hands, remove a nest if you can find it. Otherwise, you may lay an ant bait under the seat.
  3. 3
    Vacuum the interior, paying close attention to the seats and floor mats. 
  4. 4
    Treat the interior with a compatible solution that will prevent ants from coming back again. 
  5. 5
    Keep food and drink out of the car until the ants are gone. 
  6. 6
    Recheck the car seats after a few days and retreat if needed.  
Car Dashboard

Solutions Used In Ant Removal  

Dawn Dish Soap 

Dawn is a powerful ant killer because of the degreasing agents that work to break down the exoskeleton of the insect. Additionally, ants can’t float in the liquid, causing them to drown. Mix together three tablespoons of the dishwashing liquid with two cups of water and throw a little table salt in too. Spray it on the ants directly when you clean the car.  

Lemon Extract 

Ants despise the smell of lemon. If you squeeze some lemons in water and spray the mixture in your vehicle, you will create a solution that kills and repels ants. It’s a great tactic if you want to know how to get rid of ants in a car naturally. 

Coffee Grounds 

Not only will coffee grounds make your car smell good, but they can also keep ants at bay. Let the grounds dry out and sprinkle them wherever you see ants. Once they have set for a little, vacuum them up and enjoy the pleasant aroma.  


Peppermint oil is completely natural and can be used to fight ants. Plus, it creates a festive smell in your vehicle, especially during the winter months. Dilute it with water and spray it wherever you see ants. If you are spraying oils on upholstery, you want to test a small area first.  


While chalk won’t get rid of the ants in the car, you can use it to prevent further infestations. Ants won’t typically walk across chalk, so all you need to do is draw a barrier around your car tires to keep ants from getting inside.  

Cayenne Pepper 

Cayenne is another smell that the ants don’t like but you might enjoy. You can sprinkle some powder around the seats and lay some down around your tires for good measure. The only problem you will have is getting hungry while you are driving.  

How To Prevent Ants In A Car Naturally 

What smell do ants hate? There are a lot of smells that can be used to deter ants, such as lemon, peppermint, coffee grounds, and cayenne, as described above. However, if you want to keep ants from getting in the car, you need to take further steps.  

Start by keeping your car clean or getting it detailed often. If you spill liquids or food, clean it up immediately. Vacuum and clean out the interior of your car frequently. Additionally, watch where you park. If the car sits near an ant nest, you are likely going to be dealing with the pests inside the cabin.  

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Can I put ant traps inside my car? 

Yes, you can use ant baits in your vehicle. The ants will eat the poisoned food inside and take it back to their nest, which kills the other insects quickly.  

What kills ants instantly? 

Dawn dish soap mixed with water provides the best way to kill ants immediately because it dries out the insect’s exoskeleton and also causes them to drown. Keep a spray bottle handy to get rid of ants.  

Does Windex kill ants? 

Not only can Windex kill ants in your vehicle, but the strong odor can also mask the scent trail that ants leave behind to signal their friends. You might also use it to clean car windows 

Will heat kill ants in the car? 

Heat often causes ants to slow down their activity, but it rarely kills them. Don’t rely on heat to remove ants from your vehicle. Instead, look for a DIY ant removal method.  


Now that you know how to get rid of ants in a car, it’s time to clean up your vehicle’s interior. Take charge of how the interior looks and feels so you can enjoy any ride.