The Pest-Mobile: 6 Pests You May Find in a Car

Happy Father’s Day weekend to all fathers and father figures from Green Pest Services! We hope you have a fun day filled with relaxing activities and enjoyable adventures with your family. One of the most fun ways to spend a special weekend is to go on a road trip to an exciting destination that makes the hours spent in a car worth it (in the best case scenario). Many fathers also enjoy working on their cars with their kids, and it has become a fond childhood memory for many adults years down the road. However, the good times with the car can quickly come to an end if the car happens to be housing some kind of uninvited pest. 

That’s right: not even automobiles are safe from pests, unfortunately. The good news is that if you use your car every day and it’s kept in a garage or enclosed parking area, it is way less likely to have pests. The main cars and trucks at risk of a pest invasion are left alone for a long time, filled with trash and food remnants, or kept with the windows down at all times. Pests require the same vital substances that every living being does for adequate survival – food, water, and shelter – and these can all be found in an idle car that has some leftover fast food bags and half-empty water cups inside. We’ll get to some prevention tips later, but for now, let’s look into the six most common car-invading pests. 

Ants

Anyone who has had the misfortune of dealing with ants invading the kitchen or home in general knows how frustrating it is to try and get rid of these tiny persistent invaders. Ants will invade a car for two main reasons: either the car has lots of enticing food inside, or it’s parked on or near an active ant hill. All kinds of ant species will forage for food and water to bring back to their abundant colony. This is why they’re so persistent about getting into our indoor spaces; we have the exact kinds of materials and necessities that the ants are looking for. Modern housing and food supply are not just greatly beneficial for humans, since ants unfortunately have reaped the benefits of this as well. 

It might seem strange to think of ants infesting a car, especially when all of the doors and windows are sealed. Ants can actually chew through more materials than we think, which is how they get through our floor mats and seats. They can also famously lift over 5,000 times their own weight, making the process of moving crumbs and pieces of abandoned snacks a breeze with teamwork. Ants release special pheromones when they find a good food source so that the rest of their colony knows where to look, and this results in even more ants taking advantage of the multitude of crumbs in the backseat. If you keep a relatively clean car and don’t park near an ant colony, you likely won’t have to worry about an ant invasion. They’re not as common as some of the other pests on this list, but they are a major problem when they decide that your automobile is a perfect grocery store for all of their needs. 

Bed Bugs

Speaking of rare car pests, bed bugs don’t venture into cars very often. They obviously love beds since it’s the easiest way to ensure that they will get fed on a consistent basis by our blood. But they could also survive in a car for the same reason, especially if there are constantly people coming in and out of the vehicle. It’s also, funnily enough, a good way for bed bugs to travel long distances to another host site that they never would have been able to otherwise. They can enter vehicles by the same means as entering any kind of new environment: hitching a ride on clothing, bags, boxes, or books. They can hide within the deepest crevice of the seats and floor mats in between sneaking bites of our skin, which is how they manage to go undiscovered for so long.

Like we said, finding bed bugs in the car is pretty rare and is the result of carrying them inside unknowingly on a bag or piece of clothing. But since they’re experts at staying hidden for so long, how in the world would you know if they are the pest problem you’ve been experiencing in your car? The answer is the same as if you think you have bed bugs inside the house. Inspect the seats and floors for evidence of these bugs. They leave behind dark stains, especially if they’re inadvertently squished, and these will be especially noticeable on light-colored seats and interior coverings. Another sign of bed bugs is if you find their exoskeletons in the car. This gross natural habit is a result of them growing and changing throughout their lives, which means that an abundance of skin castes shows that the bug problem may be larger than you originally thought. Bed bugs shed their exoskeletons five times before becoming an adult, which means a bigger mess for you to clean up if they’re present. The general prevention tips listed later on should do the trick against these pests, but if you do have a bed bug problem, a deep cleaning of the car will be your best bet.

Carpet Beetles

As much as we don’t consider the floor mats to be carpet in a typical car, carpet beetles don’t discriminate once they find a viable food source. They feed upon carpet, wool, feathers, and even other insects. In other words, organic materials is their favorite food group and the substances they seek out. This means that any kind of organic fibers in your car, whether it’s built-in or not, is fair game in the eyes of carpet beetles. While leaving a spare coat or blanket in the trunk is a good idea for emergency preparation, it can be a problem if carpet beetles find them interesting. Make sure to check these once in a while if you have any in the car, just to make sure there aren’t any hitchhiking pests hidden in the folds.

Carpet beetles are distinguishable by their exoskeleton; they are black with yellow, white, or brown patches all over. They tend to stay hidden as much as possible since they prefer the dark, but they are pretty noticeable when you come across one. Check the seats and any loose fabrics once in a while to make sure they aren’t hidden in the crevices. The larvae of carpet beetles is the most destructive stage, and they leave some pretty noticeable holes in the fabrics they choose for their meals. A thorough vacuuming of the car is pretty sufficient carpet beetle-prevention, so at least they aren’t the toughest pests to prevent.

Mice

This is one of the most destructive pests a car can experience, and unfortunately, it is one of the most frequent on this list. Mice are constantly in search of shelter if they don’t already have one, since they are such rapid reproducers and want to keep their family safe in their nest. Since they prefer an undisturbed space, like in the attic or under the house, an unoccupied car is often the perfect spot for them. In the winter months, mice can sometimes be found invading the engine compartment of an idle car. They can crawl through this space and make their way deeper inside the car if they so desire, which poses a major problem for the car-owner when the mice chew through wires and parts like it’s their job. Rodents can chew through many different kinds of materials, which makes invading something like a vehicle no problem. 

A frequent mouse culprit of car invasions is the deer mouse. This species likes to seek reliable shelter in the winter, which can unfortunately mean a car left outside. These mice are known for their long tails, white bellies, and small size (about 5 to 8 inches). But any kind of mouse is a big problem when they invade a vehicle. They carry bacteria and diseases everywhere on their bodies, and chew through just about everything in order to make themselves the most comfortable and nourished. This is why the most obvious signs that your car pest problem is mice include finding droppings, chewed seats, and nests. Mice build their nests out of any kind of papery or organic material, so a bunch of shredded objects that weren’t previously there is a pretty clear sign. You may have to take your car in to a professional if the damage to the wiring is substantial enough, and pest control is usually needed for any kind of mouse invasion.

Roaches

You would be hard-pressed to find someone who is excited about finding roaches in any circumstance. Some pests, like spiders and wasps, can be beneficial in some ways when they aren’t invading our space. Others, like ants and termites, are destructive but interesting to watch them work and lend to some extensive scientific studies. But roaches? They’re pretty much always a problem, and it doesn’t change when they invade a car instead of a house. Their main motivation in life is to obtain food and shelter however they can, and they are definitely not picky on the food side of things. The preferred environment of roaches is dark and warm, which means that an idle car in the spring and summer is perfect for them. They can enter through windows or small openings around the doors, so make sure to keep your windows up when you’re not driving! Roaches can carry over 30 kinds of bacteria and harmful pathogens, including salmonella, so it is important to both prevent them and get rid of them as soon as possible.

Two frustrating things to note about cockroaches: they don’t need much food to survive, and they can hide in the tightest of places. Although they seem to have a good time scavenging for garbage and food residue everywhere they go, roaches don’t actually need a ton of it to live. This means that they can survive in a place that only offers them literal crumbs for a while. As for the second fact, roaches are positive thigmotactic organisms. This means that every part of their body, including their internal organs, can compress to be as flat as possible at will. This is also how they avoid being squished. Because of this annoying ability, roaches can hide anywhere in a car, including in and under the seats, floor mats, vents, center console, and glove compartment. Roaches also give off a musty smell, which will be pretty apparent if your car has been sealed for a while. If you hear the hissing of a cockroach or believe that you may have a roach problem, a good inspection of the car’s interior is a good idea.

Spiders

Spiders may be a great form of natural pest control, but that doesn’t make them any less of a scary nuisance when they invade our vehicles. Spiders go where their food is, especially if they have the ability to make webs, so the presence of spiders means that there are insects nearby. Even if there aren’t any insects in your car, there are likely some in the proximity that lead spiders to the vehicle in search of shelter near their food source. It could also just be the spot that you parked, mainly in the spring or summer. A spider could have dropped down from a tree or overhang that is providing cover for your car and just started exploring this new territory. 

Spiderwebs are impressive natural works of art, but they are also extremely sticky and annoying to try and remove with your hands. On the outside of a car, the most frequent places that a spider will spin its webs are under and around the side mirrors, door handles, and any type of bike rack. They can also set up shop near the tires if the car doesn’t move for a long enough period of time. These spiders can be brushed away, but it’s the spiders inside the car that become a problem. When they build their webs on the vents or steering wheel, it’s a little too close for comfort. In addition to being an early Halloween decoration, some spider species bite us when we get to close to their home, even if it’s actually ours. The brown recluse and black widow are the most dangerous common spiders in the U.S., but even a non-lethal bite is one too many for us. Just like with the other pests, performing a thorough inspection of the car is a great way to make sure that you don’t have any unwanted passengers. There isn’t a ton you can do in the car to prevent spiders in particular beyond eradicating any insects and thereby eliminating their food source. 

Easy Ways to Prevent Car Pests

While every pest is different and has their own set of special problems they pose for us, there are a few easy tasks and tricks we can use that will keep any kind of pest away as much as possible. 

The most helpful and general tip we have is to keep a clean car. We know it’s easier than it looks, especially if you have young kids who devour car snacks like their lives depend on it. But even just removing food wrappers, take-out bags, and to-go cups will cut down on the risk of having pests in the car. These are easy targets for all kinds of pests since they’re so big and often have food residue everywhere. As for the crumbs, use a large shop vacuum once in a while to get all of the food particles out. You can also inspect under the seats and floor mats as you do this, not just for more crumbs but also for any damage done by pests that would hint to their presence. Use an anti-bacterial wipe to clean any spills or sticky spots left behind to get rid of those pest-attractors as well.

Another way to prevent pests is similar to the home: check for leaks and eliminate any excess moisture in the car. A leaking part under the car hood is never a good sign for the car, but moisture inside the vehicle is also a bad time. Pests are drawn to water just like food since it is necessary for survival, so cutting down on the moisture means preventing more pests from ruining your car. Also, the type of cleaner you use inside the vehicle makes a difference in the number of pests that invade. Anti-bacterial is great for eliminating germs and traces of food residue on most surfaces. If you’re looking to go more natural, a citrus-based cleanser is the way to go. Most pests despise the smell of citrus, so they won’t want to come near it. Plus, it will make your car smell like a delightful orchard!

Keep Pests Away This Father’s Day!

As fun as it is to embark on a family road trip this weekend, or just any weekend in general, it’s even more enjoyable to know that your car and home are pest-free. Some insect and rodent fathers stay with their families to protect their nest, which is sweet until their nest is kept in our cars or homes. Our team knows the favorite hiding spots and foods of different pests, which is how our technicians are able to prevent pest problems from starting or getting worse. Contact us to learn how we can help with your pest concerns so you can spend Father’s Day, and every day, however you want without worrying about pests ruining your fun. 

Citations

Brittain, D. (n.d.). Pests in cars and other vehicles. Kiwicare. Available at https://www.kiwicare.co.nz/advice/pests/pests-in-cars-and-other-vehicles/ (Accessed on June 1, 2022).

Bugs and mice in the car. (n.d.). Pest World. Retrieved June 1, 2022, from https://www.pestworld.org/pest-in-the-house/garage/car/

King, K. (2021, November 10). Ants in your car? Here’s how to get rid of them. Toyota of Orlando. Available at https://www.toyotaoforlando.com/blog/ants-in-your-car-heres-how-to-get-rid-of-them/ (Accessed on June 1, 2022).

Nelson, B. (2021, February 22). How to find bed bugs in your car – and how to get rid of them. The Healthy. Available at https://www.thehealthy.com/pests/how-to-find-bed-bugs-in-your-car/ (Accessed on June 1, 2022).

Tretyakova, S. & Paskevich, S. (2022, May 31). Complete guide for getting rid of cockroaches and bugs out of car. Fortador. Available at https://www.fortador-usa.com/blog/how-to-kill-roaches-and-bugs-in-the-car (Accessed on June 1, 2022).