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Ants, ants and more ants around the door frame

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Mr.Gadget, May 6, 2013.

  1. May 6, 2013 at 9:13 AM
    #1
    Mr.Gadget

    Mr.Gadget [OP] Well-Known Member

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    2012, got a problem with a bunch of ants all the time.
    Wife has a 2011, never problem, park in the same place other then work and nothing around the spot at work.
    For some reason they seem to be aroud the driver side door. THe around the rubber molding gasket and plastic at the bottom of the door.
    I'm seeing them all the time.
    I spray and they die only to come back in short order like something is drawing them to the door area or truck.
    Is there someplace that would hold water in the door or around the trim.
    The trim is wet from time to time for no reason and dirt at the bottom at the holes that look like drains in the door skin.

    Any thoughts, anyone else seen this.
    BTW never see them on the outside of the truck around any tires or anyplace they would get on the truck.

    Not reall seeing them inside other then a few as when you open the door some may come in.
    most just around the Driver door and one time the PDoor.
     
  2. May 6, 2013 at 9:17 AM
    #2
    Hairy Taco

    Hairy Taco Jungle of Love

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    Bizzare. Can't see why ants would nest in a truck. Do you have a lot of crap accumulating underneath from mudding or something? What would they nest in otherwise?
     
  3. May 6, 2013 at 11:14 AM
    #3
    J88logue

    J88logue NorthWest Member

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    I use WD40 to kill ants.
     
  4. May 6, 2013 at 1:08 PM
    #4
    Hairy Taco

    Hairy Taco Jungle of Love

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    an unfortunate series of events...
     
  5. May 6, 2013 at 1:17 PM
    #5
    Manwithoutaplan

    Manwithoutaplan the full Monty

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    And windex
     
  6. May 6, 2013 at 1:20 PM
    #6
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

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    Open the door , pop open the little cover at the base of the frame ( on the truck not the door ) towards the front fender , lots of debris can get caught in there
     
  7. May 6, 2013 at 1:27 PM
    #7
    aubi1414

    aubi1414 War Eagle!!

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    409 works too. This happened on my old 95.5 tacoma and I had no mud on it no food crumbs etc. in my vehicle. I have no idea but I just dumped 7 dust all on them and where they were coming from then vacuumed out. I also spread the seven dust all on the ground around my truck and never saw them again :)
     
  8. May 6, 2013 at 1:29 PM
    #8
    Khaos

    Khaos Big Member

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    Your user name is both fitting and is quite excellent.
     
  9. May 6, 2013 at 1:30 PM
    #9
    whahahajr

    whahahajr Lone Star Club

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    Had this problem with my old truck which had a water leak. I think they were water ants. I spayed it and cleaned out all the mud. I used the ortho home defense spray to keep them out. Worked for me.

    I also sprayed every where I thought they could come in under the truck
     
    Last edited: May 6, 2013
  10. May 6, 2013 at 1:59 PM
    #10
    stewartx

    stewartx Well-Known Member

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    Since most ant species are genetically programmed to dig & tunnel, they don't usually nest in solid metal vehicles & similar. Thus, they're far more likely coming from somewhere else.

    I'd look into where the truck is being parked for extended periods. Are you parking in an area (at home, at work, in the garage, etc) that is infested with ants? If so, you may want to address the problem at the source (by parking elsewhere, treating the problem area with pesticides, etc).
     
  11. May 6, 2013 at 2:04 PM
    #11
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

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    Look here

    [​IMG]
     
  12. May 6, 2013 at 2:13 PM
    #12
    Gooiegoogoo

    Gooiegoogoo Well-Known Member

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    sprinkle a product called Maxforce Complete by Bayer in the truck and around the truck where ever you park it. It is a granular bait for ants which they take into the colony it works very well. If they are super tiny ants crush the granular into a powder to make it easy for them to carry and eat. Gid rid of the colony = get rid of ants in your truck.
     
  13. May 6, 2013 at 2:16 PM
    #13
    RearViewMirror

    RearViewMirror Saw things so much clearer once you... were in my

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    I'm sorry man but that shit made me laugh out loud. Sorry about your girlfriend. It just sounded like one of those... "hold my beer and watch this!" moments.
     
  14. May 6, 2013 at 2:27 PM
    #14
    Mr.Gadget

    Mr.Gadget [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yep did that, wife has a year older truck and is next to mine other then work and the two guys I park next to never had a problem and we looked to see if they are around the parking lot in that area. Did not find any.

    Truck does not go off road really, I pull on a farm path in Oct Nov Dec for hunting but not any mud and most the time never need 4x4.
    Always parked on a hard surface for the most part.

    It looks like it is in the door area and door only as I do not find only a few that are inside the truck.
    Some try when you open the door.
    I think they are around or behind the rubber seal in the door or the door it self. I may take some WD 40 and spray inside the drain holes at the bottom of the door.
     
  15. May 6, 2013 at 3:13 PM
    #15
    stewartx

    stewartx Well-Known Member

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    ^^ Well, you can always try chemical warfare. Ants use scent trails to direct other ants in the colony to food sources, dangers, and so on. If ants are returning to that area over and over, it's likely been marked by such a scent trail. That scent can be easily overwhelmed by any strong chemical odor (perfume, Lysol spray, etc). Treat the area several times over a week or so and see if the problem disappears.

    By the way, this same tactic can be used to completely destroy an ant nest. Stir up the nest using a stick or similar. Dig deep to get as many warrior ants to the surface as possible. Once enough warrior ants are on the surface to defend the nest, spray them with Lysol spray (the ammonia stings them and the perfume masks the scent of the other ants in the colony). Those warrior ants will then go about the task of killing every single ant (a perceived enemy) in the colony. Afterwards, they'll die because there are no worker ants finding food to feed them.
     
  16. May 6, 2013 at 3:27 PM
    #16
    EG555

    EG555 Well-Known Member

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    I have got to try this to get rid of the ants outside, looks like fun:D
     
  17. May 6, 2013 at 3:49 PM
    #17
    bjboucher

    bjboucher Mama says Tacoma World is da devil!

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    That's some wild $hit right there! lol
     
  18. May 6, 2013 at 4:57 PM
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    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

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    ^^ ??
     
  19. May 6, 2013 at 10:04 PM
    #19
    stewartx

    stewartx Well-Known Member

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    Just make sure not to wait too long between stirring up the nest and getting the heck out of there. You want enough warrior ants on the surface to do the job (wait for it), but remember they'll spread out searching for whatever is attacking their nest. That means you. Watch carefully, spray the Lysol, and then find somewhere else to be.

    LOL. True. But it really does work. I've done it many times - perfecting the system each time. If it wasn't for the risk of getting bitten by the ants (or, in my case, bitten by the resulting lawsuits), I'd package it as a product for sale.
     
  20. May 6, 2013 at 11:17 PM
    #20
    2004TacomaSR5

    2004TacomaSR5 Nemesis Prime

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    One word: SUGAR
    It attracts ants like no other, you haven't spilled a soda or lost a piece of candy under the seat or something have you? They could be trying to get in just for that. You'd be amazed what they will do for sugar.
     

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