Can Bed Bugs Live in Your Car? Revealing the Hidden Truth
Bed bugs are the kind of pest that no one wants to deal with, but can they enter and infest your car?
People think that bed bugs are limited to only mattresses and couches; however, the truth is that these little pests can also hitch in odd places, including vehicles.
Start reading this blog and explore whether bed bugs can survive in cars, the signs of their presence, and ways to eradicate them.
Can Bed Bugs Really Live in Your Car?
Yes, they can live in a vehicle, but this is not their favorite spot. These parasites want easy access to feeding in the human host. This is why beds, sofas, and even clothing are the most common areas for these pests. However, certain conditions may force them to enter your car.
The foremost and most common way bed bugs travel into a car is hitchhiking. If you have been in an infected place such as a hotel, in public transport, or at a friend’s place, these bugs may hitch a ride onto your clothes, luggage, or other belongings. Once in the vehicle, they find dark, hidden spaces to settle.
Reasons Why Bed Bugs Can Live in a Car
While it’s rare, bed bugs can enter into a vehicle, but not with the aim of infestation. The reason behind this is that access to food is less regular in the car than in the home, where bed bugs can feed every night. However, their ability to stay hidden without feeding for long periods makes it possible for them to rest for some time in your car.
Their survival in the car also depends on the temperature. While extreme cold or heat can wipe out these bedbugs, a dark spot under a parked car is suitable for them where they can rest for some time in warm temperatures.
So, if a car provides plenty of hiding sites, such as gaps in seats, under floor mats, and within upholstery, bed bugs can stay hidden until they find an opportunity to feed.
Common Hints of Bed Bugs in Your Car
1. Dark Spots on Floor Mats or Seats
A major sign of bed bugs in a vehicle can be noticing dark spots on the seats, carpets, or floor mats. These stains are usually fecal spots of the bed bug, meaning that they look like very tiny black or brown specks that smear once you touch them.
2. Noticing Eggs and Exoskeletons
Bed bugs shed their exoskeletons as they mature. These shed skins are light-colored and are frequently found in clusters close to their shelters. Another issue is that bed bugs’ eggs are even smaller than themselves. These eggs’ size is equal to one grain of sand. They are shiny, pearly white in color, and can be found on a seat, under floor mats, or even inside folds of fabric in your car.
3. Finding Actual Bed Bugs
A live bed bug is a strong indicator of an infestation. Bed bugs appear as flat, reddish-brown, wingless insects, and their size is equal to an apple seed. After feeding, they swell and turn bright red. A younger one is smaller and more translucent.
Can Bed Bugs Survive Winter in Your Car?
A sudden change in temperature severely affects bed bugs. Moreover, bed bugs survival in cold temperatures, especially when it’s below 46°F (8°C). If the temperature around you normally stays cold, the chances of having bed bugs in your car are less.
Just like cold temperatures, extreme heat is also unbearable for bed bugs. Living in temperatures around 113°F (45°C) or higher is impossible for such species.
So, if your car is parked in direct contact with sunlight, bed bugs can’t stay there for long. However, if your car’s inside temperature is normal, bed bugs can easily survive for months.
Effective Tips to Eliminate Bed Bugs in Your Car
1. Clean Your Car Completely
The first step of bed-bug removal in the car is a thorough cleaning. Start with removing and washing seat covers, carpets, and mats with hot water and soap. Dry it in sunlight, as this can help eliminate remaining bugs. Vacuum all areas of the car, including crevices, cracks, and under the seats, where bugs may hide.
2. Employ Heat Treatment
Heat treatment is a good way to kill bed bugs. According to studies, exposure of bedbugs to at least 113°F (45°C) for 90 minutes will kill them, whereas their eggs require a slightly higher temperature to be fully eliminated.
If you live in a hot climate area, parking the car in sunlight with the windows closed will create enough heat to kill bed bugs naturally. If it is not possible to do it naturally, you can use professional steam treatment in infested areas.
3. Use the Freezing Method
Extreme cold can also eliminate bed bugs instantly, but it needs prolonged exposure. One study indicates that bed bugs die at a temperature of 0°F. After four days of freezing, bed bugs will start to exit from your car.
However, this is impractical since freezing an entire car is not possible. However, you can collect infested items in plastic bags, seal them tightly, and place them in a freezer for a few days to kill off any remaining pests.
Conclusion
Bed bugs inside the car are not common, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. These pests depend on humans for movement and may hop into their cars through luggage or clothing or other belongings.
Bed bugs do not thrive in cars as vividly as in homes, but they can survive for weeks or months in suitable environments. Cleaning, heat treatment, and insecticides are some of the most effective ways to employ if you want to get rid of bed bugs and keep your car free from them.
FAQs
Can bed bugs enter my home through my car?
Yes, they can. If your clothing, bag, or any other infested item is in your car and you shift it later into your home, they can enter your home easily.
Can I kill bed bugs in my car by leaving it in the sun?
Leaving your car in the sun can create an extreme temperature in your car, which helps in eliminating bed bugs. But don’t rely solely on this method, as it can be insufficient sometimes.
Can bed bugs bite me while driving?
It is very rare that bed bugs bite you while driving because they mostly come out at night. However, they may bite you if they are desperate for survival.
Keep Your Car Safe From Bed Bugs With Safe Pest Sol!
Dealing with bed bugs in your car is more difficult than dealing with them at your home. Make the right decision now and contact Safe Pest Sol for a complete bed bug solution.