Protect Your Santa Clarita Vehicle From Infestation
Worst nightmare scenario: You’re driving on the freeway, dodging speeding vehicles and minding turn signal lights, when a tiny spider drops down from the rearview mirror to hang right in your line of sight.
Talk about distracted driving!
Unfortunately, finding bugs living (or trapped) inside your vehicle is not unusual. But that doesn’t mean you need to suffer the pains of cohabitation. From sedans to RVs, we have a few DIY tips to help keep your vehicle pest-free!
If you’re struggling to keep bugs away from your property, contact the Santa Clarita pest control professionals at No Bugs Termite and Pest Control, Inc by calling (661) 294-0206. Our Mint X+ treatment can create a protective barrier around your property that limits the number of insects inside your home, garage, and cars.
What Bugs Can Live in Your Car?
1. Spiders in Your Car
Spiders are sneaky little critters that like to nestle up in dark, quiet, and undisturbed locations. Believe it or not, these spiders want as little contact with you as possible.
You are most likely to find spiders hiding in the dark, cozy places in your car, like under seats, in glove boxes, and tucked into discreet nooks. When you turn on the vehicle, these spiders may become disturbed and crawl out of their spots to escape, not realizing that they are effectively trapped in your car.
2. Carpet Beetles in Your Vehicle
Carpet beetles are the most common – and unwanted – insects found in cars. These insects are small, black, and normally found in gardens, but they are also known for sneakily making their way into homes and vehicles.
Carpet beetles are attracted to drinks and any dry and oily foods left in cars. Whether you’re munching on snacks during a long road trip, picking up a drive-through lunch, or finishing your weekly grocery shopping spree, you might be luring carpet beetles into your vehicle.
In severe cases, carpet beetles will find a safe place in your vehicle to lay eggs that will hatch and create an ongoing breeding cycle. So, if you see a carpet beetle in your car, you need to take steps to avoid an infestation.
To learn more about carpet beetles, check out our blog, “How to Recognize & Prevent California Carpet Beetles.”
3. Ants in Your Car
Ants will sneak into your car to look for one thing: food! The good news is that they won’t become permanent tenants unless your vehicle doubles as a Hometown Buffet. Their goal is food, not shelter.
But if your car supplies ants with crumbs, spills, and tasty leftovers, they might stick around for a long time and even grow in numbers. It could be a challenge to get rid of them at that point.
4. Bed Bugs in Your Vehicle
Bed bugs are notorious travelers. They can enter your car by clinging to clothing, bags, furniture, boxes, and more. They also propagate quickly, so you’re in for a battle if you start finding these small insects inside your vehicle.
You need to take decisive measures to rid your car of bed bugs ASAP. To solve your dilemma, take the time to do proper research and call a professional pest control company to review your options.
And that completes our list of the four most common insects that Santa Clarita residents are likely to find in their vehicles. However, if the bugs discussed above do not seem to match the pests in your car, call the Santa Clarita bug professionals at No Bugs. We can help you determine which pests have turned your vehicle into their new home.
How Are Bugs Getting Into My Car?
Where there’s a will, there’s a way – especially if you’re tiny! In most cases, bugs sneak into cars for food and shelter.
But how are they getting inside your vehicle?
1. Bugs Travel on Your Clothing & Belongings
Bugs can cling to your clothing, purse, backpack, and any other personal belongings you might bring into your car. You can pick up a hitchhiker just by brushing against a bush or setting your purse down on the ground!
It can be hard to prevent a bug invasion if you can’t even see the little invaders. Even so, this is a common entry point for bugs, so be wary of where you put your things before getting into your car.
2. Bugs Can Fly Into Open Car Windows
Leaving your windows open while your car is parked or in motion creates an easy access point for flying insects. And once they are in, you’ll be fighting to get them out!
3. Insects Can Sneak Into Damaged Cars
Many people are surprised to learn that insects can enter your vehicle by squeezing through small openings in the damaged undercarriage of your car.
Signs of a damaged undercarriage include:
- Leaking
- Jolting or bumpy ride
- Rusting parts
If your car goes too long without maintenance, it can begin to wear down, suffer damage, and create opportunities for bugs to slink inside.
Why Do Bugs Want to Be Inside My Car?
Out of all the cars parked on your street and scattered throughout the neighborhood, why did that insect choose your vehicle?
It comes down to opportunity. Bugs are not exactly rocket scientists. The average spider doesn’t have a strategic plan of attack to invade a vehicle and scare you on the I-5.
There are three reasons bugs are infesting your car:
1. Food
Bugs are like any other living creature, driven by their need for food, water, air, and shelter. It’s no coincidence that food is #1 on that list. If there are crumbs in your car, a little bit of metal isn’t going to be a deterrent.
As previously mentioned, bugs can enter your car through windows, holes in damaged areas, and even as a passenger on your clothing.
Their goal? The crumbs under your seat, between the cracks of your center console, and even in your glove box. If they find food, they will be tempted to stay and enjoy your car crumbs.
2. A Dark, Safe, & Comfy Home
Your car offers many options for shelter: the spaces under your driver and passenger seats, the overlooked glovebox, the center console filled with CDs and old paperwork, and more. What do these spaces have in common? They are dark and often ignored by drivers.
Bugs like to hide in dark places where they can feel safe. Your car might be the perfect relaxing vacation to an otherwise dangerous bug life.
3. Escaping the Elements
We enjoy a comfortable climate and seasonal weather patterns here in Santa Clarita. But there are a few summer months where an HVAC is all that stands between us and sweltering heat spells. And what about our cold, rainy winters?
Much like us, insects are not fans of intense seasonal weather shifts. Your car is a convenient hiding place to cool down or defrost. While a home might be their best option, desperate times call for desperate measures, and your car is an easy second bet.
4 Ways To Keep Bugs Away From My Car
Now that you understand the hows and whys, we can discuss ways to keep insects from creeping into your vehicle.
Here are five critical tips to protect your car from infestation (hint: cleanliness is key!):
1. Vacuum Your Car
Food is the biggest lure for insects. Periodically vacuuming your car floor, mats, and upholstery can suck up crumbs, dirt, and possibly insects.
You can use a vacuum from your local car wash, buy a handheld option from an online or brick-and-mortar store, or even use your household vacuum if it’s equipped to clean small, tight spaces.
You’ll probably be surprised at what you find in your car. SCV residents we’ve advised in the past have vacuumed:
- Dog treats
- Crumbs
- Baby Food
- Wrappers
- Strands of Hair
- Papers
- Fruits & Veggies
Pay close attention to small nooks and crannies that can easily accumulate food and trash without your noticing. By vacuuming your car, you will be able to reduce the chances of bugs entering your vehicle, and if they do come in, they will not want to stay.
2. Take Out the Trash
When you remove trash and clutter, such as snack bags, wrappers, and soda cans, you make it less inviting and interesting for bugs.
Check the full interior of your car, including the backseat and trunk, to decrease opportunities for bugs to create a home.
Keep in mind that “clutter” doesn’t necessarily equate to “trash.”
It includes, but is not limited to:
- Blankets
- Pillows
- Clothes
- Bags
It would also be best if you wiped down the inside of your car to remove the sticky substances that tend to build up throughout our day-to-day lives.
If you do all these things, by the time any bugs make it far enough into your car, they won’t be warmly welcomed and will be uncomfortable with little to no shelter or food.
3. Keep Your Car Windows Closed
Remember one of the reasons bugs get into your car in the first place? Windows! Keep your car windows closed when driving and parked to cut off an entry point and prevent insects from hanging out in your vehicle.
3. Professionally Steam Your Car
A thorough and professional stream can help reduce bacteria and dirt buildup inside your vehicle. A cleaner car is one step closer to being a pest-free car!
From Car to Home Pest Control
If you’re finding pests inside your vehicle after trying these tips, contact the Santa Clarita pest control professionals at No Bugs Termite and Pest control, Inc! We can inspect your property and create a safer space for your family members and pets.
Dial (661) 294-0206 to schedule a free evaluation with the Santa Clarita pest control experts at No Bugs.
