Spiders are among the most popular nuisance-causing crawling creatures that can turn your automobile into their habitat, comfortably laying eggs and breeding from your car interiors. And if you aren’t fond of creepy bugs, these eight-legged creatures are likely to cause a terrifying experience. So, let’s find out how you can get rid of spiders in your car.
How to get rid of spiders in your car? To get rid of spiders in your car, you can declutter and vacuum clean your car. You should also seal any openings that act as potential entry paths for spiders. And if you’re looking for an effortless way how to kill spiders in a car, you can use spider repellents, bug bombs, or spider traps.
Keep reading this guide to get helpful information on how to get rid of spiders in your car, including eliminating these arachnids from your side mirrors, car vents, and under the car. You’ll also get to learn why spiders get into your car, how they do it, and how to keep these creepy arachnids away from your precious automobile.
Why Are Spiders Attracted to My Car?
If you feel like you have to deal with a spider infestation in the car now and then, you aren’t alone. In 2013, Toyota fell victim to spider infestations. Here, spiders targeted cars’ air conditioners, and in extreme cases, they could make airbags burst unnecessarily. As a result, Toyota had to recall over 870,000.
Toyota wasn’t the only culprit, Mazda also experience it earlier on in 2011. Mazda recalled over 65,000 due to an arachnid infestation. Here, the Yellow sac spiders build webs in the crucial vent lines, which caused damage to the fuel tank.
However, this doesn’t mean spiders are only attracted to Toyota and Mazda automobiles—they can infest any vehicle they come across.
The reasons why spiders may be attracted to your car include the following:
- In search of shelter: Spiders may be attracted to your car when it’s cold outside as they hunt for a warmer and safer hiding spot. In such a case, you shouldn’t be surprised to find spiders in car engines.
- Dirty car: If your car is dirty or contains many unnecessary materials, it may attract these creepy bugs. The clutter in your car creates room for spiders to build their webs.
- Idle cars: If you leave your car idle in spots where there might be spiders, you are likely creating an attraction for these eight-legged creatures.
How Do Spiders Get In Your Car?
Spiders get in your car through cracks and openings in most cases. If you leave your car’s window open, spiders are likely to use it as an entry point. Besides, if there are any cracks in your vehicle’s body, they also act as entry points.
Once spiders have managed to find a way into your vehicle, they can then easily relocate to different locations where it’s a bit warmer and damp, such as the vent, steering, or dashboard.
Related: How To Keep Spiders From Making Webs on Your Porch?
How Long Do Spiders Live In a Car?
So, let’s now answer another disturbing question, how long can a spider live in a car? If your car has favorable conditions, such as the presence of food and water, a spider can spend its entire lifetime trapped there.
Most spiders that invade cars have a lifespan of 1-3 years. However, this doesn’t mean they will disappear after this period because they often reproduce, leaving behind small spiders in the car to continue with the generation. But without food and water, most spiders can live between ten months to one year.
It’s also important to note that spiders can survive in temperatures as low as -5℉ (-21℃) to as high as 70℉ (21℃). Therefore turning on your AC may not affect the spider’s way of life inside your car.
How to Get Spiders Out of Car?
So, let’s now answer your long-awaited question with these life-saving tricks on how to keep spiders out of your car:
Declutter
Decluttering is one of the common and best ways to get rid of spiders in cars. If your car has any clutter or unnecessary waste, begin by removing it. Heaps of waste or clutter act as hiding and breeding spots for spiders. And therefore, by decluttering, you reduce potential hiding spots for these arachnids, which is the first step towards getting rid of them.
Do a Thorough Vacuum Cleaning
After decluttering your car, you should do a thorough vacuum cleaning. This removes adult spiders, their eggs, and any tiny spiders in car interiors. Ensure you reach out to all corners and seams for better results. Additionally, make it a habit to vacuum clean your car regularly if you want it to keep spiders off the car.
Seal Potential Entry Points
Spiders can squeeze themselves through tiny holes and cracks in your car. Therefore, you should take your time to check for any holes, cracks, or other openings and seal them accordingly. Depending on the nature of the openings, you can repaint them or use chemical sealants.
Repel Them Using Spider Repellents
If you are looking for ways how to repel spiders from your car, there are many spider repellents that you can employ, either organic or synthetic, to end spider problems in cars. Spiders hate the smell of essential oils, and you can use this to their advantage. You can use essential oils such as eucalyptus, peppermint, citrus, and rosemary.
You can also get chemical repellents from the stores. However, take care not to get a repellent that may be toxic to you when inhaled.
Use Chlorine Bug Bombs
You can also use a chlorine oxide odor eliminator to remove spiders from your car. This odor eliminator, also known as chlorine bomb, not only removes odor from your car but also kills spiders and other bugs.
It works by spreading fumes that are toxic to spiders.
Use Spider Traps
Some spiders, such as the hobo and yellow sac, are good at hiding, and it can be hard to spot them. So, to get rid of such species and other little spiders in the car, you can use spider traps. These traps are sticky and are pre-baited to lure spiders out of their hiding spots. Once spiders get into the traps, they are trapped, and some end up dying.
Related: Does Windex Kill Spiders?
How to Get Rid of Spiders in Your Car Mirror?
Here’s how to keep spiders out of car mirrors:
- Wrap a plastic material around the mirror with the eight-legged creatures trapped inside.
- After wrapping, make a hole in the plastic and spray spider repellent.
- Seal the hole and leave it for a few hours. The trapped spiders will die.
You can also spray all over the car mirrors with essential oils to keep spiders away.
How to Get Rid of Spiders in Car Vents?
Are you tired of dealing with spiders in vents? To get rid of spiders in car vents, clean the vents, then swab essential oils or other chemical repellents. If the spiders are in the air vents, you can place a few pieces of lemon peel in between the vent gaps to repel these creepy arachnids.
You should swab the vents with essential oils periodically if you want to keep your car spider-free.
How to Get Rid of Spiders Under Car?
To get rid of spiders under your car, clean it thoroughly and apply essential oils such as eucalyptus, rosemary, or citrus. Additionally, you should avoid keeping your car idle in a spot where there might be spiders, like in the fields or garage.
You can also use chloride bug bombs or spider traps, whichever is available.
What Repels Spiders From Car? Products Reviews
You can use products like bug bombs and spider repellents and traps to repel spiders from your car.
Bug Bomb for Spiders in Car
If you are looking for a highly effective chlorine bomb for spiders in cars, try out Hot Shot Fogger6 With Odor Neutralizer from Amazon.
- KILLS ON CONTACT: Hot Shot Fogger With Odor Neutralizer kills on...
- KILLS HIDDEN BUGS: Creates a fine, penetrating mist that reaches...
- WHERE TO USE: Use in enclosed spaces such as apartments, attics,...
- NON-STAINING: This clear, non-staining formula won't leave a wet,...
- EACH CAN COVERS 2,000 CU FT: Treats 2,000 cubic feet of...
This bug bomb comes with a non-stain formula that doesn’t leave behind any messy cleanups in your car. It creates a fine, deep penetrating mist that reaches deep into cracks, crevices, and other infested spots killing any adult and baby spiders on contact. This formulation keeps killing for up to 2 months.
Besides, this bug bomb neutralizes odors in your vehicle.
Spider Repellent for Car
There are hundreds of spider-repellent brands in the market today, making it hard to choose the best. However, Mighty Mint Spider Repellent Peppermint Oil from Amazon is one of the top-rated repellents.
- Safe when used as directed
- Extra Concentrated for Long-Lasting Protection
- Natural Ingredients Proven Effective in the Real World
- Active Ingredient: Pure Origin Peppermint Essential Oil
- Large 16oz Bottle
This plant-based natural spray comes with a high concentration of peppermint oil to offer long-lasting protection. It’s safe for humans and works on many types of spiders, such as brown spiders, huntsman spiders, and yellow sac spiders. Therefore, it’s ideal if you are looking for a way out on how to get rid of huntsman spiders in a car. In a nutshell, use this repellent if you are tired of seeing your car covered in spiders.
Spider Traps for Cars
Looking for good spider traps for your car? Try out Catchmaster 30 Brown Recluse Spider Traps from Amazon.
- READY TO USE: Catchmaster Insect, Cricket, Cockroach and Spider...
- YEAR ROUND PROTECTION: Catchmaster spider traps for inside your...
- INDOOR USE: Observe pest infestation with Catchmaster glue traps....
- KEEP PESTS OUT: Our glue traps for bugs & insects are a clean,...
- INTELLIGENT PEST MANAGEMENT: At our core, we are dedicated pest...
This spider trap comes pre-baited with food-grade molasses to attract spiders from their hiding spots. Besides, it has a strong adhesive that lasts for a long period.
This trap is non-toxic and is a perfect option if you want to trap and monitor the spiders, maybe if you want to know the type of spider in your car.
How to Stop Spiders From Getting in Your Car?
If you are tired of seeing your car covered in spiders, there are a few measures you can take to keep these crawling bugs from getting into your vehicle.
To stop spiders from getting in your car:
- Keep your car clean.
- Vacuum your car regularly.
- Avoid leaving your vehicle lying idle for long.
- Seal any potential entry paths such as cracks and holes.
- Use air fresheners and swab your car interiors with essential oils.
List of Sources
Valdes-Dapena, P. (2013). 870k Toyotas recalled for spider-related problems. CNN BUSINESS.
Richardson, C. (2011). Yellow sac spiders infest Mazda cars, cause recall. The Christian Science Monitor.
Schmalhofer, V. R., Reineke, P., Roslender, C. (2016). Testing an Urban Myth: Do Spiders Really Love the Smell of Gasoline? Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Vetter, R. S. (2020). Spiders. University of California Integrated Pest Management.
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