Best Ways To Keep Pests Out Of Your Car

Pests can find their way everywhere. They can easily get in your home, in your office, and in other places, you may own. Your car is no exception. The last thing you want to happen is for a cockroach to suddenly appear on your dashboard while driving.

That being said, not only can they be a nuisance, but they can also attract other bigger pests as well. This is why you need to keep them out straight from the beginning. Here are some tips for you to do so.

Keep The Car Clean

Pests are attracted to areas they see as potential food sources. So, if you leave bags of chips, leftovers, and other pieces of garbage there, you can be sure that pests will come scouting in your car.

Plus, cluttered areas are the best nesting place for beetles, spiders, ants and other insects. By keeping your car clean, you are preventing these opportunities from occurring for them. They will no longer have any places to hide in, which will make your car less appealing to them.

Kids tend to be messy eaters in the car. Make sure you clean up after them to prevent unwanted ‘guests’.

Use Pest Repellents

Whether we are talking about bigger pests or smaller pests, they all tend to have a very keen sense of smell. And just like us, they also have specific fragrances and odors that they might dislike.

For instance, Irish spring soap, peppermint oil, and cayenne pepper can be used to repel bigger pests, such as rodents. For bugs, you might try making a concoction from vinegar, vanilla, and lemon. This will keep spiders and other similar bugs out. If you get a lot of mosquitos in your car, you can also try tea tree essential oil.

Try not to use your usual bug sprays as they are rather poisonous and more so in such confined places. If the pests infestation in your car is really bad, it is better to bring it to a professional pests removal service.

Keep Things Bright

Pests prefer dark places, especially when it comes to breeding or setting up a home. If you want to keep them away from your car, make sure to keep things bright. A good idea would be to leave the lights in your garage on when you are not using your car, to discourage them from getting near the area.

You could also keep the hood popped open under sunlight for a few hours. Big and small pests alike tend to hide in the crevices under the hood, your car’s darkest areas. If you keep the hood open under daylight or artificial light, the pests will no longer want to stay there.

Block Possible Entries

Sometimes, the answer is as simple as that. If you don’t want pests in your car, you just need to block their entry points. Don’t leave your car doors or windows open throughout the night, unless there is a lot of light going around in there.

Also, if you know for a fact that your car has entry points for pests, you may use mesh to seal them. This will allow for the air to flow while keeping the pests, big and small, away from your vehicle.

Install Repelling Gadgets

Essential oils and concoctions are not the only things you can use to keep pests away from your car. You may also use modern gadgets. These products may emit high-frequency sounds that only pests can hear.

Some of these devices are sensitive to motion and can often last a long time. Used regularly, they may even be used for nesting prevention. You may also buy gadgets that also release repellent scents along with high-frequency sounds. They can be very effective in keeping the pests out of your car.

Pests Traps

Traps are probably the book’s oldest trick but can be very efficient. Not only can you find traps for rodents, but you can also find versions for insects. Traps can catch and kill the pests on the spot (i.e., mouse traps or sticky bands), or they can work on a larger scale.

For example, certain bug traps feature a substance that is poisonous to bugs but does not kill them instantly. Instead, it lingers on their body, and they will take the deadly substance to their nest. Not only will the “trapped” insect die from the poison, but it will kill their kin as well, therefore, solving your problem.

Use Your Car

Sometimes, the main reason why pests enter your car is that you do not use it. If you leave the car parked in the same spot for several days in a row, you are all but inviting the pests to intrude. Whether we are talking about rodents or insects, they will be more likely to enter a place that has not moved in a while.

If you really cannot move your car or drive it, you may at least want to start the engine once a day. By leaving it on for a bit, not only will you prevent rodents from entering, but the warmth of it will also prevent insects from gathering.

The Bottom Line

In the end, to prevent pests from entering your car, you need to keep it clean and make it uninhabitable for them. You may use traps, you may use deterrents or you may use a combination of both. Regardless, if you are proactive, you may easily keep your car pest-free.