As a car owner, finding spiders and spiderwebs inside your vehicle can be annoying and creepy. While most car spiders are harmless, it’s understandable to want to remove them and prevent more from getting in. There are several effective and safe methods to get rid of spiders in your car and deter new ones from entering.
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Why Do Spiders Get in Cars?
Spiders can find their way into cars through small gaps and cracks, seeking shelter in dark, undisturbed areas. Some reasons spiders may end up in your car include:
- Looking for food sources like other insects
- Seeking warmth or shade
- Hitching a ride on items carried into the car
- Accidentally falling into open doors and windows from bushes, trees, etc.
- Crawling up into wheel wells from the ground
Certain types of spiders like funnel weavers and wolf spiders are more prone to entering cars in search of prey or shelter. Spiderwebs form when spiders stay in the vehicle long enough to spin webs to catch food or defend territories.
Safe and Effective Ways to Remove Spiders from Cars
If you’ve discovered spiders in your car, here are some safe, effective options to get rid of them and their webs:
Vacuuming
A thorough vacuuming is an easy first line of defense against car spiders. Focus on crevices, corners, gaps in seats, and other spots spiders may hide or build webs. The strong suction will remove webs and spiders safely. Remember to empty the vacuum afterwards so any living spiders don’t escape back into the car.
Compressed Air
Canned compressed air spray can dislodge spiderwebs and force spiders out of tight spaces like air vents or between seats. Blast spiders directly to knock them out of the car or flush them out of gaps so you can remove them. Avoid spraying near your face and wear eye protection.
Essential Oils
Spiders dislike strong scents like peppermint, citrus, eucalyptus, tea tree, and lavender oils. Mix a few drops into a spray bottle of water and mist around cracks, vents, lining of seats and any other problem areas. The lingering aroma will deter spiders from sticking around or trying to nest in your car again. Reapply every few days for continued effectiveness.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a fine powder made from fossilized algae that can dehydrate and kill spiders. Apply a light dusting along door frames, window seals, floor mat edges and seats. The sharp particles will cut through the waxy coating on spider exoskeletons, causing fatal water loss. Reapply after cleaning the car.
Rubbing Alcohol
Spray a mixture of 1 part rubbing alcohol to 3 parts water wherever you see spiderwebs or spiders in your vehicle. The alcohol breaks down the silk threads, allowing you to wipe away webbing. The spray also repels and kills spiders on contact when you spot them lingering in your car.
Steam Cleaner
A steam cleaner’s extremely high temperatures can kill spiders and instantly get rid of webs throughout your car’s interior. The pressurized steam penetrates cracks and crevices spiders hide in and sanitizes. Steam cleaning your car’s upholstery and floor also removes dirt, stains, and other allergens.
Natural Spider Repellents
In addition to removing current spiders in your vehicle, you’ll want to make your car as inhospitable as possible to invading spiders in the future. Some of the safest, natural ways to repel spiders and deter them from spinning webs include:
Dryer Sheets
Place unused dryer sheets in areas prone to spiders, like under seats, in door pockets, or tucked into map pockets. The strong fragrances most dryer sheets use repel spiders and other potentially harmful insects.
Vinegar
Wipe down surfaces inside your car with a vinegar solution (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water). Vinegar’s acidic properties break down spiderwebs and creates an unwelcoming environment. You can also place small dishes of vinegar in enclosed areas overnight to fumigate spiders. Remove the dishes during the day to avoid the strong vinegar smell.
Garlic
Like other pungent spices, garlic contains compounds that deter spiders and other pests. Crush fresh garlic cloves and rub the juices along door and window seals. You can also place halved garlic cloves or small dishes of garlic oil out of sight under seats or in other discreet areas spiders frequent.
Onion
Onions have a strong odor that makes them useful to repel spiders. Wipe down surfaces with sliced raw onion. You can also place onion slices or a small dish of onion juice in enclosed areas overnight. Just make sure to remove them during the day.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is one of the most effective essential oils to repel spiders. Soak cotton balls in the oil and tuck them into cracks or crevices. You can also mix 10-15 drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle and mist spider-prone areas.
Catnip
The aromatic oil in catnip, called nepetalactone, is known to repel spiders. Place catnip leaves or small sachets of the dried herb where spiders lurk. You can also add catnip essential oil to a water spray bottle and mist around your car.
Cedar Oil
Natural cedar oil has long been used to keep spiders and other insects away. Mix a few drops of cedarwood essential oil with water in a spray bottle. Mist window seals, under seats, floor mats and anywhere spiders frequent. The lingering woody, pleasant scent deters spiders.
Lavender
Lavender’s sweet but strong scent repels spiders and other unwanted pests. Place dried lavender sachets in your car’s interior or use lavender essential oil diluted in water to spray areas spiders frequent.
Keep Spiders Out of Your Parked Car
When your car will be sitting parked and unused for a while, there are some extra steps you can take to deter spiders from getting in and nesting:
- Seal any cracks around windows and doors with caulk
- Use weatherstripping to close gaps along door and trunk seals
- Hang sticky spider traps near open windows
- Spray vinegar water mix along window and door seals
- Place dryer sheets near seat bases and under floor mats
- Use a car cover to create a physical barrier against spiders
Professional Car Cleaning
If spider infestations in your vehicle are severe, or you want to fully sanitize your car’s interior, professional detailing services can help. Services typically include:
- Thorough vacuuming and steam cleaning
- Disinfecting and sanitizing treatments
- Ozone treatments to neutralize odors and kill pests
- Full-service interior shampooing
This deep cleaning can get into all the nooks and crevices spiders love and provide pest-free results for a longer period of time.
Hire a Pest Control Professional
For severe spider infestations, the help of a professional pest control company may be needed. An exterminator has the proper tools and training to:
- Evaluate extent and locations of infestations
- Remove all spiders, webs, and egg sacs
- Apply industrial-strength pesticides in a safe, controlled manner
- Seal and caulk entry points used by spiders
- Fog or disinfect vehicle’s interior
While costs will vary based on services needed, hiring a pro can provide the strongest defense against car spiders coming back.
Common Car Spiders
While spider species you encounter will depend on your geographic location, here are some of the most common spiders found invading cars and trucks:
Funnel Weavers
- Includes grass and tube spiders
- Often fall into open doors and windows
- Seeks prey and cool, damp spots
- Most common in summer
Wolf Spiders
- Large, fast-moving spiders
- Enter cars seeking food and shelter
- Can deliver painful bites if disturbed
- Found in floorboards and seats
Cobweb Spiders
- Make sheet-like webs in undisturbed areas
- Prefer corners or window and door frames
- Generally harmless to humans
- Tend to stay hidden unless cleaning disturbs them
Fishing Spiders
- Large spiders that live near water
- Often enter vehicles parked near lakes or rivers
- Hide in wheel wells and under dashboards
- Bites can be painful but not dangerous
Jumping Spiders
- Tiny, compact spiders that jump to travel
- Do not spin webs; hunt prey instead
- Often slip through window seals or gaps
- Most are harmless to humans
Black Widow Spiders
- Venomous spiders with red marking on abdomen
- Prefer dry, dark, enclosed spaces
- Often enter open car doors in barns or sheds
- Rarely aggressive unless disturbed
Brown Recluse Spiders
- Shy, venomous spiders with violin-shaped marking
- Accidentally enter vehicles from garages or woodpiles
- Build small irregular webs in hidden areas
- Bites cause mild to severe reactions
When to Call a Professional
In most cases, individuals can successfully and safely remove car spiders themselves. However, you may need to call an exterminator if:
- Spider infestation is severe
- You spot black widows, brown recluses, or other venomous spiders
- Spiders continue reappearing rapidly after removal
- Signs of nesting or egg sacs are present
- Spiders are emerging from hard-to-reach areas like vents, cracks, or headliners
- Attempts to remove them yourself have failed
A professional exterminator has specialized tools, insecticides, and techniques to solve even the worst spider infestations.
Spider Prevention Tips
With some diligence, you can help prevent spiders from hitching a ride and setting up camp in your vehicle.
- Vacuum interior regularly to remove dirt, debris, and food crumbs
- Rinse car after going off-roading to remove spiders hiding on undercarriage
- Park in sunlight when possible; spiders avoid direct light
- Seal food trash in bags before placing in car
- Inspect items like plants and boxes before placing in vehicle
- Keep car free of clutter to limit nesting sites
- Spray vinegar water solution along windows and door seals monthly
- Use drying agents like silica packets to maintain low interior humidity
- Fill gaps with rubber sealant to prevent spider entry
Conclusion
Having uninvited eight-legged passengers suddenly appear in your car can be startling, but spiders don’t have to take over your vehicle’s interior. With some thorough cleaning methods and preventative steps, you can keep your car a spider-free zone. Focus on sealing entry points, removing established webs and spiders, and making the environment unwelcoming. Natural repellents combined with regular vacuuming and cleaning will encourage spiders to look for shelter elsewhere.