Drivers warned they could be slapped with £800 bill for parking under a tree
DRIVERS have been warned they could be slapped with an £800 bill just for parking under a tree.
A massive swarm of tiny insects is set to invade the UK this summer, ruining cars with their micro-droppings.
Drawn by early summer sunshine, huge numbers of aphids will cross the Channel to make their homes in British trees – and you could bear the cost.
A single tree can host around 2.5million aphids, which breed rapidly.
If you park your car beneath an aphid-infested tree, they could litter your bonnet and roof with droppings.
The damage to the paintwork or soft top can leave motorists with a repair bill of up to £800.
Expert Graham Conway told the Mirror: “Greenfly are fairly unassuming beasts, but their appearance masks the damage they can do to a vehicle.
“That’s because they excrete a sticky substance known as ‘honeydew’ that, when it falls on bonnets, boots and roofs, forms a residue.
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“If left on the surface it turns into soot-like black mould spores that are highly acidic and can therefore eat through paintwork.”
If you spot honeydew on your motor, it’s imperative that you clean it off right away – or else you might have to fork out hundreds of pounds on a respray.
Graham added: “Carry some wipes in the glovebox so you can get rid of any unwanted substances – including bird poo, which can also damage the paintwork.
“Once you get home, use specialist car cleaning detergents to make sure all of it is banished.”
It comes after an expert mechanic revealed five common scams everyone falls for at the garage – with dodgy workmen even faking leaks.
Another motoring expert revealed that you’ve been changing gear all wrong – and the common mistake could damage your motor.