Charge Port Ants!

MachGeo

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I’ve had this issue occasionally for the last 3 years with my Tesla L2 chargers…maybe 1-2 times a year ants all over the charger/charge ports. Something attracts them clearly
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CarsIMBwife

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I keep a small net bag with moth balls in the frunk, not sure it’s that effective against ants, but I figure it can’t hurt. It’s clipped to one of the divider walls.
 

phidauex

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Exactly - some ants are attracted to electrical equipment, and some are REALLY into it. In the southeast US there is a variety of tiny ants called “crazy raspberry ants” who are very small and LOVE electricity - when they get into houses they clog up all the electrical outlets and computers and things.

I have a large solar project in Hawaii where we had to replace over 700 electrical controller boxes because ants were eating through the seals and getting inside. Not sure what they wanted in there but they wanted it bad.
 


TTT

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Watch out for rodents. My son clerked for the federal judge on this case.

https://casetext.com/case/heber-v-toyota-motor-sales-usa-inc

Totally anecdotal I know, but I had significant rodent damage repeatedly on my Bolt dur to rodents eating the soy based wiring, and this unit worked wonders:

https://pestrepellerultimate.com/pr...l17rs5Hhk17fuSdPtpSUYh-PjOOrsNZhoCRMQQAvD_BwE

I took the unit out of the car before I sold it back to Chevrolet and intend to install it in my MME as soon as it arrives. The added bonus is that if you are over 40 you likely can't hear the unit unless you have the hood open and are right on top of it, but it drives the millennials nuts :) .

Also important to know this sort of damage is usually covered by your insurance and your rates shouldn't go up. You will pay the deductible. In my case it was nearly a thousand dollars of damage each time.

With regard to the ants, some are drawn to the electromagnetic fields generated at the charge port, much the same way sharks can be drawn to electrical fields.

Tom
 

SnBGC

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I have noticed this with both EVs and both PHEVs that I have owned. Insects seem to be drawn to electrified vehicles while charging. Usually flies and gnats. Yesterday it was grasshoppers sitting on the charge door.
 

Motomax

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Get some Amdro ant block. spread it around the driveway perimeter and where ever you see a bunch of ants. It will attract them at first but then kills off the colony.
 

JamesInWeston

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I've had very good results with ant spray (the type used on surfaces) on the ground in a circle around each wheel individually. After a day they are gone from the car.
 

GoGoGadgetMachE

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Great. I have check for both ants AND sharks in my charge port.
?Mach-E Shark
do do, do do do do doo
Mach-E Shark
do do, do do do do doo?
 

ShadowCVL

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Sweat Bees as well... I was charging at my dads farm several weeks ago and they were all over the port and cord.
 

GoGoGadgetMachE

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Sweat Bees as well... I was charging at my dads farm several weeks ago and they were all over the port and cord.
that's a honey of a problem
 

jojomontag

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I use contractor grade tempo dust: sprinkle it where I see the most activity. They walk through it and carry it back to the Queen--whole colony gone in a day. ?
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