Finding spiders in your car can be an unsettling experience. Your first instinct may be to reach for the nearest can of bug spray and fog up the inside, hoping to kill any creepy crawlies that have made your vehicle their home. However, using bug bombs or foggers in an enclosed space like a car can be dangerous and often ineffective. There are safer, more effective options for ridding your car of spiders that don’t put your health at risk.
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Dangers of Using Bug Bombs in Cars
Bug bombs, also known as foggers, work by dispersing a fine mist of insecticide into the air over a wide area. They are designed to be used in open, ventilated areas like attics or crawlspaces. Using them in an enclosed space like a car risks exposing you to unsafe levels of insecticide. Here are some specific dangers:
Inhalation Risks
Bug bombs release insecticide as a vapor that fills the treated area. In the confined space of a car’s interior, it is easy to inhale a harmful dose of chemicals. Short-term effects of inhaling bug bomb vapors can include:
- Coughing, wheezing, chest tightness
- Eye, nose, throat irritation
- Headache, nausea, dizziness
Long-term risks of repeated exposure include asthma, loss of lung function, and neurological effects. Certain groups like children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to the chemicals in bug bombs.
Fire and Explosion Risk
Most bug bombs contain flammable propellants like propane and butane. They also generate static electricity when sprayed. This combination can ignite from something as small as a spark from the refrigerator, a pilot light, or even turning on the car ignition. The result is fires or explosions inside the confined space.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), bug bombs are involved in over 20,000 fires each year across the United States. Most of these incidents involve misuse like setting them off in garages or vehicles.
Lingering Residue Issues
The insecticide mist from foggers coats the interior surfaces of your car. This residue lingers for a long time, much longer than the treatment period. Anyone entering the car is exposed to the chemicals, which can be absorbed through inhalation or skin contact. The residue can be especially harmful for babies and young children whose bodies are more vulnerable.
Getting rid of the residue also requires extensive cleaning to avoid ongoing exposure. However, it is very difficult to fully remove chemicals that have settled into car fabric and cracks.
Ineffectiveness Against Spiders
Beyond the safety issues, bug bombs are largely ineffective when it comes to getting rid of car spiders. Here’s why:
Spiders Can Hide
Bug sprays and foggers rely on direct contact with insects to work. Spiders are adept at finding nooks and crannies to hide in your car where insecticide vapors won’t reach them. These include:
- Under seats
- Inside seat cushions
- Behind interior panels and linings
- Inside air vents and ducts
- Under the dashboard
Unless the spider comes into direct contact with the bug bomb vapors, it will survive unharmed in its hiding spot.
Eggs Are Unaffected
Even if you manage to kill the adult spiders inside your car, the bug bomb likely won’t destroy the egg sacks. Female spiders produce multiple protective egg sacks, each containing hundreds of eggs. The eggs are resilient and often placed in protected areas the bug bombs can’t penetrate. If you don’t eliminate the surviving eggs, your car will soon be filled with a new batch of baby spiders.
Spiders Can Re-Enter
Setting off a fogger may temporarily chase spiders out of your car or kill the ones inside. However, it does nothing to prevent new spiders from crawling back in. Unless you completely seal off entry points, a passing spider will happily move right back into your freshly-bug bombed car. Then you’re right back where you started.
Safer, More Effective Alternatives
The risks and limitations of using bug bombs in your car clearly show why you need a different solution. Here are some safer, more effective alternatives for getting rid of car spiders:
Vacuuming
Thoroughly vacuuming your car’s interior is the first line of defense. Use a hose attachment to reach into crevices and remove:
- Spider webs
- Egg sacks
- Droppings
- Dead bugs that attract spiders
This eliminates food sources and spider habitats. Remember to vacuum seats, floor mats, and trunk areas.
Sealing Entry Points
Check around windows, doors, trunk seams, and openings under the hood for gaps. Seal these up with caulk or weatherstripping to prevent spiders walking right back in.
Essential Oils
Many essential oils naturally repel spiders due to their strong scent. Try soaking cotton balls in peppermint, citrus, tea tree, or eucalyptus oils. Place them in hidden spots around your car’s interior. Replace them every few weeks to maintain the scent potency.
Diatomaceous Earth
This powdery substance is made from fossilized algae. The tiny sharp edges cut into an insect’s exoskeleton, causing dehydration. Spread food-grade diatomaceous earth in the trunk, floorboards, and seats. Avoid breathing in the dust by wearing a mask.
Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaners kill spiders on contact while sanitizing your car’s interior. They also help eliminate odors that attract spiders. Focus on heavily infested areas and use the attachments to reach cracks.
Preventing Future Spider Infestations
Getting rid of your current unwanted arachnid passengers is only half the battle. Take the following steps to discourage spiders from making a return trip:
Park Outside
Spiders and insects are more abundant in garages and carports. Park in an open, sunny spot if possible to make your car less welcoming.
Clean Regularly
Don’t give spiders places to hide by letting trash and clutter build up. Vacuum frequently, especially under seats. Remove debris that provides food for other insects.
Use Natural Repellents
Try placing cedar blocks or sachets of dried herbs like mint or lavender in your car. The strong scents naturally deter spiders.
Seal Food in Containers
Don’t leave loose food wrappers or spills that can attract pests. Keep snacks stored in tightly sealed containers, especially on road trips.
Inspect After Parking
Check under seats and in the trunk after parking in wooded or grassy areas where spiders may crawl inside. Catch them before they get settled.
Address Pest Problems
An influx of other insects can create a spider smorgasbord. Treat ant, roach, and other pest issues quickly before they encourage more spiders.
Install Repellers
Ultrasonic and electromagnetic pest repellers may keep spiders away from your parked car. Research shows these devices have limited success but are worth trying.
When to Seek Professional Help
For serious spider infestations or frequent reappearances, it may be time to call in a professional exterminator. Seek expert help if:
- You are unable to locate or seal all the entry points.
- Removal attempts don’t seem to reduce the spiders.
- Webs and egg sacks come back within days.
- You are uncomfortable with home treatments.
- Spider bites or unsafe driving conditions occur.
Exterminator methods for car spiders can include:
- Applying longer-lasting chemical residual treatments
- Using industrial-strength vacuums to remove webs/eggs
- Fogging inaccessible interior areas
- Steam cleaning and sanitizing
Some pros also offer preventative spider repellent spraying for cars. Seek one experienced in spider control specifically.
The Bottom Line
Bug bombing a spider-infested car may seem like the quickest and easiest solution. However, the serious health and safety risks make foggers and bug sprays a poor choice for enclosed vehicle spaces. Plus, their effectiveness against hiding spiders is limited at best. Stick to safer mechanical, sealing, and repelling methods. And don’t hesitate to call in the pros for extensive or recurring infestations. With some diligence and patience, you can send those unwanted eight-legged hitchhikers packing.
| Method | Safety | Effectiveness | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bug bombs | Very unsafe – risk of inhalation, fires/explosions | Limited due to hiding spots, eggs unaffected | Cheap |
| Vacuuming | Safe if cleaned properly after | Removes webs/debris spiders need | Cheap if you own a vacuum |
| Sealing entry points | Very safe | Prevents access but doesn’t kill existing spiders | Cheap if you have caulk/weatherstripping |
| Essential oils | Safe unless misused | Repels spiders, needs regular reapplication | Cheap |
| Diatomaceous earth | Safe if properly handled | Kills spiders through contact | Cheap |
| Steam cleaning | Safe when equipment instructions followed | Kills spiders on contact | Cheap or moderate if renting/hiring out |
| Professional exterminator | Safety ensured by expert | Highest effectiveness | Expensive |
Conclusion
Bug bombing a car seems like an easy spider fix, but poses serious health and fire risks in an enclosed space. Safer mechanical, sealing, and repelling methods are cheap, effective alternatives. For heavy infestations, professional exterminators have the tools and expertise to eliminate spiders and prevent re-entry. With some diligence using the right methods, you can reclaim your car’s interior for a spider-free ride.