1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Flies in my Prius C ... HELP!

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Vwlm709, Mar 14, 2016.

  1. Vwlm709

    Vwlm709 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2016
    6
    0
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    Hi Everyone! I'm new to this whole forum thing but wanted to post a question in hopes someone can help me. I own a 2014 Prius c three. For the past couple of days, I've noticed tiny white flies in my car, coming from what seems to be the passenger side between the passenger seat and the rear passenger seat. I don't know where it's really coming from though. I don't eat in my car and checked under the passenger seat and couldn't find anything. My husband even checked. I had an empty water bottle and an old cell phone car charger in a sandwich bag laying on the floor of the rear passenger seat (which I've thrown out).

    I can't figure out what's causing them to be in my car. I killed 3 coming in to work this morning! Even if I open the windows, they don't fly out (they seem to be kinda dumb). My trunk doesn't have food either...just some grocery shopping bags, a squeegee, a pair of shoes, an unopened Barbie doll box, and some clothes. I live a block away from the beach, my windows are always shut when not in use, and the parking lot at work is surrounded by a lot of trees and plants. It's also been raining a ton in the past week or two.

    I was thinking of getting my car detailed but not sure if that'd do the trick? I also thought perhaps it could be the cabin air filter that needs replacing? I don't know what else to do...maybe spraying Raid in there? Or putting up those sticky fly traps, but that'd look so ghetto. lol Can someone please help?

    THANK YOU!!!
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,801
    48,999
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome! try parking in the sun on a hot day with the windows closed. broil em.:cool:

    maybe take the carpets out and vacuum everything. certainly, a detailer can tell you whether they can do anything or not.
     
  3. Vwlm709

    Vwlm709 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2016
    6
    0
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    Thanks, but that won't help.
     
  4. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

    Joined:
    May 22, 2009
    9,083
    5,796
    0
    Location:
    Undisclosed Location
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I have no idea.
    However I believe flies have a pretty short lifespan.

    So I think just keeping the vehicle clean and waiting...should result in the absence of the problem.

    Unless it's coupled with an Amityville Horror like demonic possesion. Inwhich case, I'm going to say think "Trade In".
     
  5. Vwlm709

    Vwlm709 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2016
    6
    0
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    What I'm afraid of is that it has laid eggs or something and multiplied...ugh it's so annoying having to deal with this. I bought the car in July 2014 and have had no problems whatsoever. I've had 2 people rear-end me but have gotten repairs both times. I doubt it's related to that though.
     
  6. 48mpg

    48mpg Member

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2015
    193
    46
    0
    Location:
    florida
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    I
    get bug spray and nuke it over night..or you bought a wooden prius and it has termites
     
    kenoarto likes this.
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,801
    48,999
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    put something sweet outside the car and leave the windows open.
     
  8. Vwlm709

    Vwlm709 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2016
    6
    0
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    lol a wooden Prius would be hilarious! I have to park outside on the street as my landlord won't allow me to park in the garage. I also don't want to smell the bug spray when I get in, in the morning and deal with people breaking in to my car if I leave the windows opened a crack to air it out.
     
  9. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

    Joined:
    May 22, 2009
    9,083
    5,796
    0
    Location:
    Undisclosed Location
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Embrace the infestation?
    Get a personalized licence plate that reads "LRDOFTHEFLIES".
     
    kenoarto and Vwlm709 like this.
  10. 48mpg

    48mpg Member

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2015
    193
    46
    0
    Location:
    florida
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    I
    guess you have flies for life, enjoy
     
  11. Caniac

    Caniac Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2007
    232
    164
    3
    Location:
    Happy Valley
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    This is a good trap for fruit flies and might work in this case.

    Get a small container and put about a half cup of apple cider vinegar and a drop of dish soap (to break the surface tension). Place plastic wrap on the top and secure with a rubber band. Poke holes in the plastic wrap. Set in car's cup holder overnight. We often have this problem in our office because of compost bins and it works like a charm. Good luck.
     
  12. Vwlm709

    Vwlm709 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2016
    6
    0
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    I do that with fruit flies in my kitchen, and I'll give it a try with the car, but they're not fruit flies.
     
  13. Caniac

    Caniac Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2007
    232
    164
    3
    Location:
    Happy Valley
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    It could be worse. This happened to a car at a football game last season. They left their window cracked while they were inside the stadium.
    Bees.jpg
     
  14. Vwlm709

    Vwlm709 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2016
    6
    0
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    Yikes!!! That would be worse!
     
  15. contravox

    contravox Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2014
    12
    2
    0
    Location:
    New Haven, CT
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    make sure you kill the queen
     
  16. mark schofield

    mark schofield Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2013
    41
    8
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    try putting an aerosol bug bomb in for the specified time.
     
  17. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    1,409
    395
    0
    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Clean everything and then clean again, paying extra attention to everything you can't see. Look for standing water under the spare wheel wells. Have also read stories of bugs in the duct work. Those grocery bags have plenty of food crumbs/juices in/on them and should be replaced and/or cleaned with bleach.