Ants/insects in car

[BedokAmerican]

Since getting a used car last month, we've noticed several crawling ants on the dashboard from time to time and today found a roach. We took out the floor mats and sprayed it all over inside with bug spray today hoping that will kill the bugs or get them to leave.

I wanted to know a few things (in case the bug spray isn't effective) from anyone who's knowledgable.

Are insect problems in cars common here? Would having the car detailed and/or professionally cleaned help? If so, what place do you suggest? Do exterminators spray cars? Does parking under a building as opposed to a surface lot increase likelihood of bug issues? The car is normally parked in the condo basement/garage and there's no construction going on.

Thanks.

[zzm9980]

Buy a bundle of pandan leaves (NTUC for ~$1) and toss it in the car (floor of the back seat maybe). It'll dry out in about a week. Once it's dry, toss it and replace it. Do this a few times and it'll sort out a lot of the bug problems.

That advice is from an old post and worked for me.

[zos]

Second zzm's suggestion.
Pandan leaves are incredibly effective for making the bugs stay away. You frequently see them in taxis for the same reason.

[the lynx]

And avoid eating in the car.



To answer OP:

Since getting a used car last month, we've noticed several crawling ants on the dashboard from time to time and today found a roach. We took out the floor mats and sprayed it all over inside with bug spray today hoping that will kill the bugs or get them to leave.

Happens often to used cars. Especially when the previous owner had the habit of eating and dropping crumbs all over dashboard, floor and seats.

I wanted to know a few things (in case the bug spray isn't effective) from anyone who's knowledgable.

Are insect problems in cars common here?

Yes. There are many ways insects can gain entry into car, via engine, air conditioner vent, boot etc. There is hollow space under the dashboard that some insects can make homes inside. So it pays to keep the car clean.

Would having the car detailed and/or professionally cleaned help? If so, what place do you suggest? Do exterminators spray cars?

Some exterminators offer to spray cars. Usually they use total release aerosol to reach tight spots and hollow space under dashboard. You can call to check. Watch out if they recommend to do residual spray on your car seats! It can ruin the leather!

Does parking under a building as opposed to a surface lot increase likelihood of bug issues? The car is normally parked in the condo basement/garage and there's no construction going on.

No difference. It really depends on luck. Some insects find their way in because of the food crumbs inside. Some are just purely incidental. For example, I had a friend who parked his Peugeot under a huge tree and the weaver ants happened to be 'migrating', so some of them found solace in his side mirror! Nevertheless, he managed to flush them out using water jet aimed in between the mirror and the case.