Motorists are being warned they may need to fork out £800 to repair their vehicles by simply parking under a tree this summer.
Experts have said that a breed of tiny insects set to swarm the UK over the next few months has the potential to wreak damage on cars.
Greenflies, or aphids, are predicted to explode in numbers due to the recent onset of early summer sunshine and higher temperatures.
But while they are seen as a positive by nature lovers, forming a vital part of the nation's natural food chain, they can become a nightmare for car owners.
Their droppings have the potential to rot paintwork and damage the material used for soft tops - leaving people with a hefty £800 repair bill for replacing a roof or respraying a bonnet.
Greenflies normally appear in June and July, when they suck sap from trees and plants - making them an annoyance for gardeners and farmers.
But with UK temperatures being higher than the Costa Del Sol this week, the tiny aphids are making an early showing.
Graham Conway from Select Car Leasing says issues occur for motorists when they try to beat the heat and park their cars in the shade of a tree.
He said: “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.
“This can be difficult to remove, taking some serious elbow grease and specialist cleaning products to shift it.
“But if left on the surface it turns into soot-like black mould spores that are highly acidic and can therefore eat through paintwork.”
When greenflies arrive, they do so in numbers. A single mature tree can play host to around 2.5 million aphids and they breed rapidly due to the fact their eggs don’t need to be fertilised.
Mr Conway said: “It’s unlikely you will never park under a tree at this time of year, especially if you are keen to stop your vehicle becoming unpleasantly hot while you are away from it.
“If you do spot this sticky substance on your motor it’s vital to get to work straight away and clean it off.
“Not doing so could result in you having to book in for a respray, with the typical bill around £800.
“The best approach is to adopt a strict cleaning regime for your vehicle throughout the year.
“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.”
