Spending time in a car with bugs crawling around makes for an uncomfortable experience. Car rides can cause instant itches which in turn makes doing daily drives less enjoyable. A solution to getting rid of bugs while making sure to become itch-free is through the use of bug bombs.
In this article, I will explore the usefulness of car bug bombs and their method of application. After that, I will explain the areas of the car that need to be protected prior to the application of a bug bomb and present other alternatives to consider.
By the end of this car bug bomb guide, you will find the answers to all questions that may pop up in your mind.
What Is A Bug Bomb?
Bug bombs or car foggers are canisters filled with pesticides locked away in an aerosol form, which serve to eliminate crawling insects. A swarm of insects waiting to come into direct contact with bombs poses a serious threat as chemical weapons when dispersed into the atmosphere.
Like any pest control measure, bug bombs have their advantages and disadvantages. People and pets can be at risk when using bug bombs, which is why they should be the last resort.
Are Bug Bombs for Cars Effective?
Unlike using bombs in the house, where people have lower expectations of success, using bug bombs in cars is a different story.
The reduced volume of the vehicle makes it considerably easier to use bug bombs. If you buy a quality bug bomb and use it alongside other pest control strategies, you should be able to deal with most pesky critters effortlessly.
How to Use a Bug Bomb for a Car
#1. Clean Out the Car.
The first step in the process is cleaning the interior of the vehicle. You want to get rid of all items that are not essential like baby car seats because you don’t want them to be exposed to the chemicals.
In addition to those, if you’ve been meaning to declutter the car, now is also the right time to do it. After controlling the bug problem, it will be much more pleasant to ride in a clean car.
#2. Vacuum the Interior.
For thorough cleaning, ensure that you vacuum the cabin too. You can tidy up the vehicle to eliminate any crumbs and litter inside.
This is also an appropriate time to clean any marks on the seats or floor. A little effort with a mild cleaning agent will do the trick in a matter of minutes.
#3. Prepare the Vehicle.
You need to ensure that certain parts are safe from being bombed, and I will go through the details of that in a moment.
Furthermore, you need to position the vehicle outside. Bombing the vehicle while it is still in the garage is a no-go for your health, so keep the windows and cabin doors shut and make sure the gas doesn’t escape.
#4. Use a Car Bug Bomb.
Put a car bug bomb inside the vehicle to get rid of all kinds of bugs. Remember to follow the guidelines that come with the product.
As a rule, you just need to place it inside the vehicle for a specified amount of time and don’t mop up the area until you can safely enter the vehicle.
#5. Possibly Repeat.
At times, using two or more bug bombs in a car could be useful. For more serious infestations, you can retreat and bug bomb again for maximal efficacy. Roaches are indeed one pest that can be difficult.
If that is your goal, make sure to have sufficient time, as preparing more than one will require more time, in this case. For example, if each bomb takes around three hours and you intend to set off two, the total time needed to complete the task is six hours.
#6. Clean Car Again.
This is an optional step, although it is highly encouraged. After utilizing the bug blaster, it is advisable to scrub the areas and surfaces within the car. Start by vacuuming the interior to clear out any dead bugs that may still be present.
As an alternative, you can also use a damp towel on surfaces that may have residual chemical residues. Otherwise, breathing in these chemicals could result in lung irritation.
What Should Be Covered When Bug Bombing a Car?
1. Electronics
All the electronics remain undamaged from bug-bombing chemicals. Take further steps to protect the electronic components.
Make sure to cover the radio, navigation system, as well as charging ports. These devices are at risk of sustaining irreversible damage due to the chemicals infiltrating these devices.
2. Vents
NOTE: If there have been reports of bugs inside the air conditioning system, some do not prefer covering the vents. It is not necessary to cover the vents.
However, these vents pose the risk of reintroducing chemicals into your system.
The best approach is placing the bug bomb and covering the vents. If some bugs remain, they are likely in the vents, which another bug bomb can address.
3. Steering Wheel
It is not a requirement to cover the steering wheel, but it is something I would suggest. Most steering wheels are made out of either leather or another porous material.
These pores can hold onto the bug bomb chemicals and when you touch it later, some of those chemicals can be transferred to your hands.
The chemicals can also alter the smell of the steering wheel. It’s just more convenient to cover it at the beginning.
Other Ways to Get Rid of Bugs in Cars
#1. Natural Sprays.
If the use of chemicals isn’t appealing to you, there are different options for getting rid of bugs. Depending on what you already have at home, you could create your own spray without spending any extra money.
Bugs hate garlic, catnip, and bay leaves. Using any of these products to make sprays or simply placing them all over the car can help deter bugs from entering. Refresh the stock every week until you no longer see bugs.
#2. Remove Food/Beverages.
Bugs will not bother your vehicle when there are no food sources available. Use it as a means of trapping them by removing every bit of food and drinks from the vehicle.
If you eat in your car, then it needs a thorough cleaning. You may want to consider having the vehicle professionally detailed as bugs will go for the smallest crumbs.
#3. Clean Surfaces.
For individuals choosing to do the cleaning themselves, do it slowly as the process can take a long time. Focus on locked surfaces that may have hidden scents.
The fabrics of the car’s seats will attract attention from many. A set of these vacuum cleaners may be able to steam clean the seats so that no smell remains to lure the insects.
#4. Set Traps.
Placing a few traps in and around the car in the hopes of catching a few is something else you could try. These types of traps tend to be more effective against bigger insects such as cockroaches. Some of them catch their preys with aid of gel bait or glue.
When you notice cockroaches in the trap, take it out and set a fresh one in its place. You know you’re making progress with every bug you’ve managed catching.
#5. Call a Bug Professional.
When feeling hopeless, seeking a professional is usually the best option. Exterminators, unlike you who work from home, have tools that extend beyond the house and can be used in cars as well.
In certain circumstances, a single visit can remedy the problem. Otherwise, regular checkups may be needed until the bugs are fully exterminated.
Which Bug Bomb Product Is Best To Use?
With the multiple bug bombs and fogger products available, choosing the best ones can be overwhelming. As long as the product is made from a reputable company with good reviews, it should be adequate for most tasks.
For basic jobs to exterminate bug infestation in a car, I found the Hot Shot fogger to be the most useful.
Is It OK to Bug Bomb Your Car?
As long as the user adheres to the dos and do nots of the product, bug bombing the car is perfectly acceptable. Due to the presence of chemicals, you must vacate the vehicle for some time until conditions render it safe for reentry.
In addition, you might want to clean the automobile after to eliminate any residue left over.
Do Foggers Work in Cars?
A fogging product can be used if you are struggling with cockroaches or ants in the vehicle. For best results, research the top choices and ensure that you read the instructions carefully.
You are more likely to completely exterminate the pests when using the fogger alongside other techniques.
How Do I Get Rid of a Bug Infestation in My Car?
The initial step is to clean the interior of the car by picking up the trash and vacuuming it. Removal of all bugs should take place after the shampooing of the fabric seats and carpets.
Once you have executed the steps listed in the bug bomb instructions, it is prudent that you repeat the wipe down of the surfaces in order to get rid of the chemicals that may be left behind and could pose an irritant.
Are Bug Bombs Safe for Pets?
When administering bug bombs, absolutely no one should be able to access the vicinity of the vehicle. This is the case as windows and doors need to be tightly shut during this process.
After the time duration has elapsed, surfaces should be washed properly and all chemicals should be scrubbed off. Even then, a car could be deemed unfit for pets for some designated time. For more information, refer to the instructions on the cap.
When coupled with deep cleaning and detailing the car, car bug bombs become extremely easy to utilize. Following the label instructions will yield a car devoid of pests in as little as a few hours.
There are no reasons to worry if you spot pests inside your vehicle.
In a good number of cases, the issues caused by pests could be easily solved. Even in extreme cases, an automobile pest bomb could prove to be beneficial. Simply clean out the vehicle and try out a highly-rated pest bomb for cars and see if it helps solve the problem.