ย 15% discount on all bed bug heat treatment services.
30 Days Complete Eradication Guarantee*
ย 15% discount on all bed bug heat treatment services.
30 Days Complete Eradication Guarantee*
By ThermoPest โ Your Local Pest Control Experts
Bed bugs are the last thing anyone wants to deal with. These tiny pests are notorious for invading homes, but what about your car? You might be wondering, “Can bed bugs really infest my vehicle?” The short answer is yesโbut before you panic, itโs not as common as you might think. Still, itโs a possibility, especially if you’ve recently dealt with an infestation at home or have been travelling.
Letโs break down how bed bugs can get into your car, how to spot the signs, and what you can do to prevent or eliminate them if they hitch a ride.
Yes, bed bugs can survive in cars, but itโs not exactly their dream home. Bed bugs prefer to be where the food is, and for them, that means humans. Theyโre most comfortable in places where people sleep, like beds (obviously), sofas, and occasionally even clothing or luggage. However, under the right circumstances, they can end up in your car.
How? Well, itโs usually a matter of hitching a ride. If youโve been somewhere that has bed bugsโwhether it’s a hotel, a friendโs house, or even public transportโthey can cling to your clothing, bags, or even furniture you’re moving. Once theyโre in your car, theyโll start looking for places to hide until they can reach a human host again. Thatโs when the trouble starts.
How do you know if your car has bed bugs? Itโs not like youโll see them lounging on your dashboard! Bed bugs are expert hiders, so youโll need to look for signs that theyโve set up camp. Keep an eye out for small reddish-brown bugs in crevices like seat seams, under mats, or around seatbelts. You might also spot dark stains (which are their droppings) or even tiny eggs tucked into cracks.
Checking your car carefully is essential if you suspect bed bugs have moved in. Start by looking at the seams of your car seats and around the edges of your carpets. These are common hiding places, as bed bugs love tight spaces where they can remain undisturbed until itโs feeding time.
One of the reasons bed bug infestations in cars are rare is that cars arenโt the most suitable environment for them. Bed bugs need a regular food source (thatโs you!) to survive. In a home, where they can feed on you every night, they thrive. But in a car, their access to humans is much more limited, which means they wonโt flourish as easily.
That said, bed bugs can survive for a surprising amount of time without feeding. They can hang on for weeks or even months in your car, waiting for their next meal. Temperature is another factor. Bed bugs prefer moderate conditions, so while extreme heat or cold can kill them, the relatively mild temperatures inside a car (especially if it’s parked in a garage or only used occasionally) could allow them to survive.
Prevention is always better than cure, and there are a few simple steps you can take to stop bed bugs from hitching a ride in your car. First, be cautious when youโre travelling or moving items like furniture. If youโre staying in hotels or renting holiday homes, inspect your luggage and clothing before putting it in your car. Look for any signs of bed bugs, especially if youโve stayed somewhere thatโs had a known problem.
Second, keep your car clean. Regularly vacuuming and cleaning your car can help you catch any potential infestations early. While vacuuming alone wonโt eliminate bed bugs, it can reduce the chances of them sticking around unnoticed. And yes, you can even buy bed bug seat covers for added protection!
So, what do you do if you find bed bugs in your car? The good news is that while itโs a headache, itโs not impossible to deal with. Start by giving your car a thorough clean. Vacuum the seats, carpets, and any other areas where bed bugs could be hiding. Pay special attention to the seams and corners where they like to burrow.
Steam cleaning is another great option, as high temperatures will kill bed bugs and their eggs. If your carโs upholstery can handle it, using a steam cleaner on the seats and carpets can help eliminate the pests.
But if the infestation is widespread or youโre unsure whether youโve got rid of all the bugs, itโs time to call in the professionals. Pest control services can offer targeted treatments for your car, such as chemical-free heat treatments, to ensure that every last bed bug is gone. At ThermoPest, weโve got experience with this and can get your car back to being pest-free.
There are a few myths out there about bed bugs that might be worth clearing up. For example, some people think that bed bugs only infest bedsโhence the nameโbut thatโs not true. Bed bugs can live anywhere thereโs access to humans, whether itโs a sofa, an aeroplane seat, or your car. The key is proximity to people.
Another myth is that parking your car in the sun will kill the bed bugs. While extreme heat can kill bed bugs, simply parking your car in the sun isnโt going to cut it. The temperature inside your car needs to reach above 49ยฐC to effectively kill the pests, and even then, the heat needs to penetrate into all the little nooks and crannies where bed bugs might be hiding.
So, can bed bugs infest cars? Yes, they canโbut itโs not something that happens frequently. If youโre careful about what you put in your car and take preventive steps, youโre unlikely to face a major infestation. But if you suspect that bed bugs have made their way into your vehicle, itโs best to act fast before they spread any further.
At ThermoPest, we know how stressful dealing with bed bugs can beโwhether theyโre in your home or your car. If youโre unsure about how to handle a potential infestation, give us a call. Weโve got the tools, expertise, and experience to help you get rid of those unwelcome passengers once and for all.
