How to get roaches out of a car: 5 things you need to know

So you’ve got roaches in your car.

First of all, our deepest condolences. Although not dangerous, roaches are still creepy, crawly, unwelcome critters that you definitely don’t want making a home in your Toyota. However, bug infestations do happen (especially here in Central Florida, where roaches love the warm, humid weather and plentiful water sources). Toyota of Orlando is here with tips on how to get roaches out of a car should you find yourself with some new (unwelcome) carpool members.

The good news is, roaches typically won’t stay in a car for TOO long as there’s no water source there.

Tip#1: Know where they’re hanging out. The first stop in getting roaches out of a car is identifying where they might be hanging out, laying eggs, building nests, and basically just having a party. Here are the main spots to look:

• Under your seats (especially if you have crumbs and debris under there that they might like to eat)
• In the trunk (where it’s dark and there are lots of nooks and crannies to hide – don’t forget to check where your spare tire is)
• Under your floor mats (they like to lay eggs here… sorry.)

And don’t forget about your glovebox, cupholders, seat-back pockets, center console, and even your air-conditioning vents.

Tip #2: Clean out your car ASAP. Now is the time to break out that vacuum and give your car a thorough detailing. Be sure to get all the nooks and crannies, removing all dirt, crumbs, and other debris (and probably a few cockroaches while you’re at it, sorry). Also, wipe down all surfaces to make sure there’s nothing sticky that might be attracting roaches, too. Additionally, get all clutter out of your car. This will leave your Orlando Toyota with no food for them and very few places to hide and nest.

Tip #3: Put down traps. Now for the nitty-gritty of getting roaches out of your car – traps. You can lay down sticky traps under the seats, in the cupholders, in the trunk, etc., and see if that helps to trap and remove them.

Tip #4: Buy some bait. If the sticky traps don’t work or you’re just ready to pull the trigger and go big, it’s time to lay down roach bait in your car. You can use gel bait – this is a great solution as it entices the roaches to eat it and then spread the poison back to the entire colony. However, if you’d rather go non-toxic, you can also use borax or diatomaceous earth. All of the above will help wipe out the roach population in your vehicle.

Tip #5: Know how to prevent them from coming back. Once you’ve gotten the roaches out of your car, it’s time to prevent them from ever wanting to come back. Here are some tips:

• Keep your car as clean as possible and detail it often to prevent crumbs and other food sources for roaches
• Keep your car free of clutter where they might like to hide
• Keep your windows rolled up and your doors shut when you’re not in the vehicle
• Be very careful about where you’re going and what you’re transporting. If you’re camping or transporting things that roaches like to hide in (like shopping bags, mulch, cardboard boxes, old luggage, etc.) be sure to inspect your car carefully after you’re done and proactively deal with any possible roach infestations.

Need more advice on how to get roaches out of a car? Toyota of Orlando has got your back, even in a creepy-crawly situation like this one. Call us today at (407) 298-0001 or stop by! We’re just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road.

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