how to get rid of spiders in car

It's only natural to feel a bit uncomfortable when you see a spider in your car. It can also lead to some fear-fueled questions.

How long have they been there? Have they laid any eggs? What if I can't get them out?

This guide will explain everything you need to know about spiders in cars. From why they're inside to begin with, to the best ways to get rid of them, we have you covered!

Common Ways Spiders Get Into Cars

When you're driving home after a long day of work, the last thing you want to see is a spider in your car! Unfortunately, automobile spider infestations are more common than most think.

Spiders are masters of staying hidden in the shadows, and your car could be hiding a pretty decently sized nest without you even knowing!

There are many potential entry points for spiders to get into your car. The most common is along the door edges and the window rails. Spiders usually gravitate towards those spots once the temperatures drop outside.

Take a look at the side of your vehicle, and you'll notice that there's a pretty sizable gap between the doors and the car's exterior. That gap is more than enough for most spiders to squeeze through.

Usually, the weather stripping prevents spiders from entering the cabin. But if there's even a tiny void in the rubber, these critters won't have any trouble getting in. They can also sit and wait for someone to open the door before swiftly scurrying to the cabin.

Quick Tip: When you start the engine, the vibrations for the engine often disturb the spiders and force them to migrate even deeper into your car.

Those hiding near the hood will make their way to the engine block. There, they can find all kinds of entry points to get into the cabin!

Before you know it, you might see the spiders living in your side mirrors, within the steering wheel column, and even inside the air conditioning vents! Some species, such as the yellow sac spider, can lay eggs in the vapor fuel line and cause significant engine damage.

Just because your car's interior is protected from the weather outside doesn't mean that it's completely sealed. Spiders are cunning creatures and will find the most creative ways to find shelter in your car!

How To Get Rid Of Spiders In Cars

If you spot one of these creepy crawlies in your car, don't worry! Once you know how to get rid of spiders in your car, the rest will take care of itself.

You see, there are many ways to get them out. With a bit of know-how and the proper extermination products, you shouldn't have any trouble making your car spider-free.

1. Clean & Vacuum

If you want to get rid of spiders in your car, the first thing you should do is detail and clean the inside of it. Clean every inch of your ride! Pick up any trash that's sitting on your floors and empty all the nooks and crannies.

Then, use a powerful vacuum to get rid of dust and anything else that could be hiding in your car.

A high-quality detailing vacuum can suck up spiders, eggs, and other pests. Not only are you removing the problem directly, but you can get rid of their food sources as well.

Quick Tip: Make sure to use all of the commonly-neglected attachments to tackle every surface and corner.

2. Use Commercial Insecticides

There's no shortage of insecticide sprays out there. Don't be afraid to use one to kill the spiders that are inside your car. Even if you don't see any spiders that you can attack at the moment, many products will provide lasting protection and drive any surviving spiders out.

Just exercise caution and read every word of the product's instructions. Take a look at the safety information as well.

Your car is a small, enclosed space. Don't apply products if you plan on using the vehicle anytime soon. Most products require several hours of ventilation to ensure that fumes don't cause any harm.

3. Take Advantage Of Spider Traps

Like commercial spider sprays you might use in your car, spider traps are readily available at most big box stores.

TERRO Spider Traps

• Traps and kills all common spiders
• Non-toxic
• Traps can be used folded or flat inside your car
• Easy to use and quick to set up

Traps work exceptionally well for some of the more stubborn species. Brown recluse, black widow, yellow sac, and hobo spiders are some of the most difficult spiders to get out of your car because of how well they hide.

Spider traps can lure these critters out. Most use a combination of attractive scents and sticky surfaces. Once the spider walks over the trap, they'll get stuck and starve.

4. Apply Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a versatile pest killer that can wreak havoc on the spiders living in your car.

HARRIS Diatomaceous Earth Insect & Spider Killer

• Kills a wide variety of spiders and insects
• Comes with a convenient powder duster for your car
• 100% freshwater diatomaceous earth with no fillers or additives
• Long lasting mixture that remains effective as long as it's dry

It's an all-natural powder that's made of fossilized diatoms. Manufacturers crush those remains to a fine powder that's easy to spread. While you can touch Diatomaceous earth without getting hurt, it causes some severe injuries to spiders.

It dehydrates the spiders, plugs up breathing holes, and creates microscopic cuts on their bodies.

Quick Tip: Sprinkle the powder onto floors, seats, and any known hiding spots. Leave it to work its magic for several hours. Then, follow up with a vacuum to remove the powder and any dead spiders.

5. Use A Chlorine Bomb

One of the best ways to ensure that you get rid of every spider that's hiding in your car is by using a chlorine bomb.

Dakota Odor Bomb

• Treats up to 6,000 cubic feet of space
• Eliminates all kinds of lingering bad odors and discourage spiders
• Can has 360° valve for maximum effectiveness
• Can penetrate any crack or gap inside a car

Chlorine bombs, also known as chlorine oxide odor eliminators, are handy little tools that dealers and mechanics use. It's meant to get rid of smells that linger in upholstery and vent systems (but it has other handy uses as well).

Once the bomb goes off, chlorine gas fills the enclosed space. As long as the doors and windows stay closed, the concentrated gas should flow into every nook and cranny in your cabin. That includes spots that are impossible to access by conventional means.

Chlorine is deadly to spiders as well as many other pests. In only a few minutes, they'll start to die off. It's a fantastic way to get rid of all problematic infestations at once!

As always, be careful and follow the bomb's instructions to a tee. This is not a method of pest control that you want to get wrong.

6. White Vinegar Solution

Prefer something a little more natural? Try using a white vinegar solution. Spiders, as well as many other pests, detect the acidic smell of vinegar.

The odor is so strong and aggravating that many spiders will gladly get out of your car in their effort to escape it. Use that fact to your advantage!

Mix about two parts white vinegar with one part water. You can soak several cotton balls in the vinegar solution and place them around the cabin. Alternatively, you can fill a few cups and put them in the vehicle's drink holders.

Open up the windows of your car and let vinegar smell waft around the cabin. Leave the windows open for a few hours so that all the spiders have the chance to get out.

7. Utilize Essential Oils

Like vinegar, spiders hate aromatic essential oils. Something about the intensity of the oils makes the spiders flee.

This method is a little simpler than the last one, but it can be just as effective.

Mix a few drops of your favorite essential oil into a spray bottle filled with water. You can use eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender, peppermint oil (here's a brand we like), or any other essential oil with a distinct smell.

Spray the mixture around hard-to-reach areas. As long as the windows are open a bit, you should be able to get the spiders out of your car.

How To Keep Spiders Out Of Your Car In The Future

Keeping spiders out of your car is all about making your car unappealing.

Start by keeping it clean! Don't let trash accumulate in the cabin, and try to avoid eating in your car whenever possible. Spiders are attracted to dark and secluded places.

Keeping it clean reduces the chances that other spiders will find your car desirable. Not only that, but it prevents other pests from getting comfortable, too. As a result, spiders won't have food sources to survive.

Consider adopting a regular vacuuming schedule. Take some time out of your week to wipe down all the surfaces and suck up debris. It'll make a world of difference!

If you want to go the extra mile, wash and clean the underside of your car as well. There are many hiding spaces and entry points down there.

Next, it's a good idea to inspect your car and take care of any potential entrance voids. Pay close attention to the rubber seals around the doors and windows. Get rid of any dirt that's affecting the performance of the seals to ensure that spiders have no way to squeeze through.

Beyond instances when you're driving, try your best to keep your car off and silent as much as possible. Remember, the vibrations of your engine often force spiders deeper into your car's interior. Avoid waiting around and sitting with the car idling.

Finally, consider using some essential oil products in your car! You can use the spray we went over earlier to give your cabin a good spritz every once in a while. Not only does it leave a fresh scent, but the lingering aroma will act as a spider repellent in the car (and get rid of any spiders that may still be hiding).

How To Get Rid Of Spiders In Car Vents

Your ride's air conditioning vents are a prime spot for spiders. It's dark, dingy, and may even hold some moisture if you live in a humid area. Not only that, but the air vents can route to openings near the front footwell.s

It's one of the more accessible places for spiders. Unfortunately, it's also one of the hardest to treat.

The best way to get rid of spiders in car vents is to use fumigation. The chlorine bombs we discussed earlier should do the trick.

The gas will cover every square inch of your car's interior. That includes the vent system. The fumes can sweep through even when the air conditioner is off to kill every single spider.

After you get rid of the existing spiders, you can take some preventative measures to ensure they don't return.

Quick Tip: One popular technique is to apply essential oils around the slats of the vent. Use a cotton swab to line all the gaps. You can take things one step further and apply the oils to the exterior vents as well.

How To Get Rid Of Spiders In Car Mirrors

There's a small pocket of space between the shell of the side mirror and the mirror itself. It provides enough room to accommodate the mirror's movements as you adjust its position.

Spiders like to crawl into that gap because it provides ultimate protection from the elements.

The best way to get rid of spiders in car mirrors is to use insecticide spray or direct fumigation. Spread a layer of clear plastic wrap over the mirror to create a seal around the mirror. Then, poke a hole that's big enough for your insecticide applicator to fit through.

Spray the insecticide liberally before applying another layer of plastic wrap to seal it all in. Leave the spray for a few hours, and those spiders should be dead!

Quick Tip: You can follow up by spraying water or high-pressure air to blast the dead critters out.

How Long They Can Survive In Your Car

If you think that spiders can't live in your car very long, you're sorely mistaken.

Even if there aren't many food sources in the cabin, spiders can live in your car for up to 10 months!

If there are bugs to provide sustenance, spiders can live even longer!

That's why it's so crucial to get rid of the spiders in your car. Even if they only live in the car for a couple of months, they can easily lay eggs and create a growing population. It's best to address infestations quickly to avoid spread and spider proliferation.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to get rid of spiders in your car, it's time for you to start putting these methods into practice.

As you can tell, many of them are actually quite simple (and affordable). All it takes is a little bit of knowledge and persistence to get these little pests out of your car for good!

how to get rid of spiders in car

Source: https://www.bcpestcontrol.com/spider-in-car/

Posted by: largecrusuppeas.blogspot.com

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