So some termites walked into a bar...

September 23, 2023 8:15 AM

Should my Dad leave the car in the garage while his house is being fumigated, or take it out?

My Dad is having his house fumigated for termites. His car, a 2018 Corolla, sits directly under the air conditioning unit, which is in the ceiling. The termites are active in that area and have been raining frass and debris on the car for months. He's never seen an actual termite in the garage or on his car, however, or their wings; they seem to confine themselves to the ceiling. I've been told this means the infestation is still pretty small. He will have to stay with me while the house is tented. He wants to drive to my house in the Corolla. He would keep the car in my driveway. The termite people have already told me that termites are not interested in cars, because there is no wood in them, or cellulose. However, my experience with bugs is that they are very good at hiding in unexpected cracks and crevices. My concern is that he will re-infest his house by putting the car back in the garage once the fumigation is done. Again, the termite people really seemed to shrug at the idea of termites in a car, kind of poo-poohed it, though respectfully.

Should he leave the car in the garage to be fumigated along with the house, or not?

posted by Armed Only With Hubris to Home & Garden (2 answers total)

I don't see a reason to remove it. Roll the windows down and let the fog do its thing. I doubt it will do any damage to the vehicle, but it will of course be unavailable for a number of days. There's basically zero chance there are termites in it, though. There's nothing for them to eat.
posted by seanmpuckett at 9:45 AM on September 23, 2023

Termites are everywhere already, working to break down any woody debris around your yard or any nearby woods. There is exactly zero danger of your dad bringing termites from his house to yours.
posted by rockindata at 11:39 AM on September 23, 2023 [1 favorite]