How to get Bedbugs our of a Car

How to get bedbugs out of a car: A guide

Bedbugs – now that’s a word you never want to hear. Itchy, infesting, and very difficult to get rid of, bedbugs are something you definitely do not want in your home. But did you know they can actually make their way into your car if you’re not careful? (Sorry to break it to you.) Check out our Orlando Toyota guide to preventing this catastrophe as well as how to get bedbugs out of a car if you spot them.

How can you prevent bedbugs from getting in your car?

Can bedbugs live in cars? Sorry, but yes. Bedbugs don’t crawl into your car from the ground like ants or spiders; they usually find their way in on clothing, furniture, or other cloth that you bring into your vehicle. But here’s the bad news. Bedbugs can live in your car for a long time. Yes, they need to eat (and their main food source is blood from humans and other mammals). But they can go a long time in between meals – older bedbugs can live A YEAR without a snack. This means they won’t be vacating anytime soon once they find a warm, cozy spot to live in your Orlando Toyota. So how can you prevent this from happening?

Three ways to prevent a bedbug infestation in your Toyota

The best defense is a good offense, right? This line rings true when it comes to how to prevent bedbugs from infesting your Orlando Toyota, and also how to get bedbugs out of a car. Let’s start off with prevention. Here’s how you can prevent these pests from taking up residence inside your vehicle.

• Check secondhand items like clothes and furniture very, very carefully before you bring them home. If you need to transport things home, wrap them in plastic bags.
• Keep your car detailed and clutter-free. Less clutter means fewer places for bedbugs to hide.
• Try to avoid bedbugs when you’re traveling – use luggage racks instead of putting your bags on the floor, and check your luggage before you bring it into the house.

How to get bedbugs out of a car

If the deed has been done and it’s too late, here’s how to get bedbugs out of a car and restore your life to normalcy.

• Heat: Did you know that temps over 113 degrees can kill bedbugs? (Easily achieved here in Orlando.) However, if you want to bump the temp up faster, park your car in direct sunlight and cover the car’s windows with black trash bags or dark fabric. If it’s cold out, you can try using a portable heater to warm things up.
• Steam cleaning: Break out the steam cleaner if you have bedbugs in your car – the heat will kill them, and the cleaner’s attachments make it easier to get into cracks and crevices.
• Diatomaceous earth: This substance is made from fossilized diatoms (tiny aquatic organisms) and comes in a powder form. Basically, this powder sucks the oil and fats from the bedbug’s exoskeletons so they dry out and die. This substance is also handy for getting roaches out of your car. However, be careful when putting it in your Orlando Toyota – it can irritate your nose and throat to breathe it in.

If none of those work (or appeal to you), then it’s time to bring in the professionals. Call a professional fumigation service to remove the bedbugs. You should NEVER try to fumigate your car yourself, as it can be incredibly dangerous.

Call our Orlando Toyota service department with infestation questions

Have questions about bedbugs and other pests in your car? While we can’t fumigate your car for you, we can give you expert advice. Call our service techs at 407-298-4500 today.