Have Cockroaches In Your Car? Kick Them Out Of Your Ride.

This page is an expert guide on getting rid of cockroaches from your car using the products and methods suggested by our experienced pest control specialists. Follow this guide and use the recommended products and we guarantee you will be successful in ridding your car of cockroaches.

In a lot of ways, our cars can be an extension of our home. We stow our belongings in the trunk, we listen to music there as we go from place to place, sometimes we even sleep there or eat there when we’re on the go or taking a road trip.

Unfortunately, just like how our homes can come down with a cockroach problem, our cars can suffer the same fate. Yet even then, most people are shocked when cockroaches begin setting up camp in their vehicles. When you look at your car as an extension of your home and roaches are a reality in your household, then there really shouldn’t be any surprise if they make their way to your ride.

Some people may write off the roach problem being because the car is old. However, there are people that can even encounter a roach infestation in brand new cars. Imagine taking a drive in your car on a hot day and deciding to turn on the A/C only to witness roaches blowing out of the vent. Sounds horrifying, doesn’t it?

It’s not very common to have a roach problem in cars but they can happen. In this guide, we’ll explore why roaches get into cars and how, through the expert advice and products from Solutions Pest and Lawn, you can drive (pun intended) those filthy cockroaches out of your car.

Identification

Let’s face the truth, if roaches are in your car, it is likely your own doing. Sometimes it could be something as innocent as forgetting to roll your windows all the way up and then overnight roaches end up sneaking inside. But for the most part, it’s because we all like to eat in our cars. Especially if you have kids, there’s going to be lots of snacking taking place in our cars.

We are constantly on the go and pressed for time and have to eat as we rush to work or eat while driving on road trips. So naturally, there are going to be crumbs, spills, and wrappers all over the place. You may tell yourself that you are going to clean it up immediately or that you’re going to get around to cleaning your car, but you may not find the time to carry out vacuuming and thoroughly cleaning your car.

All those drive-thru bags and goodies start to accumulate and sure enough, roaches are going to take notice and make their way inside for whatever leftovers you’re inviting them to. You being too busy to clean up results in roaches in your precious vehicle.

Inspection

You have to keep in mind that roaches are in your car because they find food there. Remember, roaches only need three things to survive and will relentlessly hunt for vital three items: food, water and shelter. If you eliminate those items, they’ll die off or leave your vehicle.

Where to Inspect

Obviously, you should begin your roach inspection with the interior of your car. Roaches may have transferred from your home to your car or from work to your car via bags and other things. A roach problem in your home tends to follow you wherever you go. Roaches may be hitching a ride on your clothing or the belongings you carry around.

Your car isn’t going to be a sanctuary from roaches if you are unknowingly bringing them along. They’ll notice the interior and crawl out of your stuff so they can find a nice nook or cranny in your nice leather seats.

What To Look For

Check for live roaches in your car and roach droppings. Likely you will be able to smell the unique and unpleasant smell of the roach droppings if there really is a significant infestation. Check the glove compartment, where you store your cups and trash, the car flooring, even the folds of the back seat and on the doors.

Treatment

If you’re having trouble getting rid of those pesky roaches from your car, you’ve come to the right place. Our DIY roach control pros know just how to control cockroaches that are nesting in your car. The following is what we recommend to clear out the roach infestation.

Step 1: Vacuum Your Car Interior

This one is a no brainer. Take a hand vacuum or go to a DIY car wash station and vacuum your car's interior. Toss out any trash and leave no area uncleaned. Once this is done you can then apply insecticides to ensure cockroaches will not survive in your car.

Step 2: Apply Novacide

Novacide Flea & Tick Killer is a combination insecticide in that it kills adult roaches but also contains an IGR (insect growth regulator) that disrupts the reproductive cycle of roaches, causing eggs to be unable to hatch and develop as well as sterilizing roaches so they can't lay eggs. If you have a sizable infestation of roaches, spraying Novacide on your car's floors and seats will do a great job in wiping out the infestation and making sure it doesn't continue to multiply.

With all your car doors open and windows down, spray the Novacide in a downward sweeping motion onto the seats and the car flooring. Afterward, you will need to let the car ventilate and do not drive it until the product has totally dried and the fumes have dissipated.

Step 3: Spray Pyrid Aerosol

Pyrid Aerosol is another good option to go with when treating roaches in your car. It works as a flushing agent and it can do a really good job of flushing out cockroaches and will give you an idea of what is in your vehicle and how severe of a problem you have.

Simply spray Pyrid in the crevices and corners of your car with all the doors open and spray the seats as well. You can use the red applicator tip that comes with the product to spray cracks and holes and small openings. After you've done spraying, leave the windows down in your car and allow the car to dry and the vapors to dissipate before re-entering. This should take 30 minutes to an hour.

Prevention

It’s easier said than done but the most important way to prevent an infestation in your car is to stop eating in your car. The problem won’t go away if you keep feeding them and it’d be a waste of using the high-quality roach control products above if you are still continuing old habits.

If eating in the car is just something you can’t give up, then you better commit to tossing your food bags, wrappers and anything else before exiting your car and having a hand vacuum in your trunk to vacuum up all debris and crumbs.

Bear in mind that roaches will eat practically anything and everything. Remove as much clutter as you can and get rid of things like paper and cardboard. They will eat the car owner’s manual if they have to. They will even eat any specks of dirt left on the carpet.

You need to clean the car thoroughly and do so often. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean floor mats & seat covers and the area underneath before putting them back. If you can, leave them out until the problem is solved. The less places they have to hide, the easier it will be to get rid of them.

Key Takeaways

Why are their Roaches in My Car?

• Though it is uncommon, cockroaches can on occasion infest vehicles if the conditions are favorable.
• The primary reason cockroaches invade cars is uncleanliness due to people eating in their cars and leaving crumbs and trash.

How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Cars

• Vacuuming your car and applying a combination of Novacide and Pyrid Aerosol to kill and flush out roaches in your vehicle can keep cockroaches from taking over your car.

Preventing Cockroach Reinfestations In Your Car

• To make sure cockroaches don't seek out your car in the future, keep your car free of debris and food crumbs and keep your windows rolled up. A clean car is the best way to keep cockroaches away.