When it comes to hitch-hiking, bed bugs are the best. This is the reason that bed bugs can travel and transfer to different environments without much effort because, considering how incredibly small they are, they can easily lodge or cling onto items like furniture, clothes, suitcases, backpacks, hand bags, and other items carried by humans. In other words, bed bugs infiltrate your property because of people themselves, especially those who travel a lot.
You can get bed bugs from hotels or from old furniture that you purchased, and once you get in your car with these items where bed bugs could be hiding, it is definitely possible to have those pesky creatures reside in your car as well.
Admittedly, having bed bugs in your car is a rare case but it happens still. You cannot expect a heavy bed bug infestation inside a car though. However, regardless of how small or big their numbers are, you need to do something and get rid of these critters as soon as possible to prevent them from spreading further in other areas knowing how they easily hitchhike on people’s belongings.
Treating Bed Bugs in the Car
Removing bed bugs from your car is not very difficult since the infested zone is just small as compared to an entire bedroom. First thing to do is to look for physical evidence that bed bugs do exist in your car. Inspect the car seats and floors for signs like bug excrement, which look like dark spots similar to the ones made by a marker, bed bug exoskeletons (molted skin), blood stains on fabric, and yellowish eggs/eggshells. If you are lucky enough, you may even spot live bed bugs. Another obvious proof that you may have bed bugs in your car is having itchy red bite marks appearing in clusters on your skin. Bed bugs are like tiny vampires that discreetly suck people’s blood during bed time. You don’t usually see them during the day since they are only active at night when their blood meal is soundly sleeping. These nocturnal ectoparasites depend on blood so they can grow and mature fully. Sometimes, humans unknowingly crush these tiny crawlies resulting in having blood smeared on fabric.
Once you have confirmed the presence of bed bugs inside your car, you may start doing the following:
1. Raise the temperature of your car.
Temperature above 115 degrees Fahrenheit is lethal for bed bugs. To make sure the interior of your car get this desired hotness, you can park your car under the sun for several hours. For added effect, cover the windows of your car using a dark cloth or any dark casing. This will help trap the heat and raise the car temperature. A portable heater is also useful for circulating heat inside your car.
2. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth.
Diatomaceous earth is a powdery substance. It is chemical-free and one of the most effective natural bed bug home remedies. Sprinkling this substance onto any cracks or crevices in your car will dehydrate the bed bugs since it absorbs the bugs’ oils and fats, thereby killing them in the process. The tiny shards of diatomaceous earth will tear to pieces the bed bugs’ fragile bodies and it will take a couple days to get your desired results. However, be careful when sprinkling the substance as it can harm your respiratory organs if you happen to inhale it. Tip: Wear masks and gloves when applying diatomaceous earth.
3. Steam cleaning/Vacuum cleaning.
Steams cleaners help in bed bug removal. The steam can penetrate those tiny cracks and nooks where bed bugs could be hiding. When steam cleaning, just make sure to control the airflow so you won’t scatter the bed bugs. Vacuum cleaning is also an effective strategy to remove the bugs out of their hidey-holes. Thoroughly vacuum the interior parts of your car (i.e. fabric, floors, seats) to suck those pesky pests and their larvae.
For additional treatment, free your car from clutter to eradicate the bed bugs’ potential hiding spots. You also have to carefully check whatever item, including second-hand furniture, you bring inside your car. Especially if you come from a vacation, it is best to place your belongings inside a sealed plastic bag before putting them inside your car. Also, if you ever consider applying any pesticide, seek the advice and assistance of a pest control professional. Doing things on your own, particularly when it involves the use of chemicals inside your car, without consulting an expert can be very dangerous.