How to get rid of roaches in car as FAST as POSSIBLE

In this article I’ll show you how to identify if you have a roach infestation in your car and what you can do to get them out as fast as possible.

So, how do you get rid of roaches in car? Well, you will need a proper game plan. Follow these steps and you’ll be free of cockroaches in your car ASAP: 

1. Inspect the interior of your car to gauge the level of the infestation 
2. Clean and vacuum your car thoroughly 
3. Choose your preferred method for extermination (fumigation or a DIY option like baits or boric acid) 
4. Steam clean your car to get rid of any lingering smells and dirt 

That being said, there’s waaaaay more to this than a simple answer paragraph. And that’s what we’ll explore in this article.

I’ve put together a few companion articles as well that show how to make DIY traps for roaches using peanut butter. I’ll link them at the end of the article, they are definitely worth checking out.

So let’s get into it…

Which Products Work Best for Car Extermination? 

Fumigation 

Fumigation is the best technique to get rid of roach infestation. The traditional method usually acts very fast and yields good results when it comes to cockroach control. This is because it involves the use of insecticides usually in gaseous form.

Its effectiveness is enhanced with the confined vehicle space and hence all the pests plus their eggs are normally exterminated successfully. Basically, you need to introduce the insecticide gas into the vehicle

Note: cockroach fumigation is usually a hazardous procedure. As a result, it should only be handled by a licensed fumigator. If you can’t fumigate, here are some of the best organic or DIY treatment options that produce fast results:

DIY Methods for Getting Rid of Cockroaches in Car 

Boric Acid 

Boric acid is a natural killer that’s non-toxic to human beings. It should be noted that cockroaches can’t digest boric acid. However, human beings normally use it to treat fungal infections and reduce the symptoms of acne.

For ease of use, simply sprinkle some of the boric acid powder in your car. When the roaches walk through it, they will ingest some as they try to clean themselves. Eventually, they will end up dying.

The trick with using boric acid for roaches is to make it as hidden as possible. If you simply put a pile of boric acid powder in your car, the roaches won’t walk through it. What you want is a thin layer spread everywhere. Or, alternatively, you can make your own bait mixed with boric acid. (See below for a whole article on this topic). 

Diatomaceous Earth 

Diatomaceous earth is another natural and chemical-free insect killer. Diatomaceous earth is basically a very fine type of sand that is strongly abrasive. When it comes in contact with the exoskeleton of many insects (including cockroaches), it breaks down the waxy protective layer eventually killing the bug by dehydration. 

To use this method, simply get some diatomaceous earth and sprinkle it around your car. This method is cheap, easy to apply, and completely safe for humans. However, it might not work to eradicate all the roaches in your car. 

While diatomaceous earth does, in fact, kill cockroaches (it’s not a myth!), it might not kill all of them that easily. For heavy or persistent infestation, we recommend using other methods in combination with diatomaceous earth. 

Roach Repellents 

This may seem like a counterproductive technique. Generally, roaches are attracted to the food crumbs found in your car. So, how comes you can use the same stuff that attracts them to eliminate them?

Well, some food products can help to keep them at a bay. They include cucumbers, bay leaves, and garlic. Leave the pieces for a couple of days or even weeks and you will see a significant change.

A Bottle of Soap Water 

Well, soapy water can also help to eliminate these annoying pests. The liquid detergent contains chemicals with pore-clogging benefits. Spraying it on the roaches inhibits them from breathing effectively. As a result, they will end up suffocating to death. This is a DIY technique that’s easy and affordable.

Note: make sure that you use these organic techniques in moderation to avoid suffering from unwanted side effects or experiencing any form of inconvenience.

I’ve got a few articles that are very relevant to this topic. It’s probably worth checking them out after finishing this one.

I saw one cockroach should I be worried?

Boric Acid and peanut butter diy bait traps

What Roach Control Products Won’t Work in a Car?

You are probably tempted to use a roach bait since it’s environmentally-friendly. However, this may likely not work due to the spacing issue as well as the constant car movements. It’s also important to note that the more the bait stays the less effective it becomes.

This is because roaches can quickly adapt to their presence and evolve to avoid the trap. Some may completely avoid consuming the bait and so you won’t effectively kill them. The best and highly effective products are those used for fumigation since they kill everything including eggs.

Note: while the heat treatment is good and environmentally-friendly, we don’t advocate for its use in vehicles. This method can eradicate the roaches at every stage of the life cycle, ranging from eggs to mature adults. But understand that some products, as well as fuels used with vehicles, are highly volatile hence you should completely abstain from heat sources.

How Do You Know You Have Got Them All?

How do you know that you have effectively eliminated all the roaches? Well, first it’s when you stop seeing them. If you go for a couple of days without seeing one or two roaches, then you have probably eliminated all of them.

Besides that, you will stop smelling a bad or musty odor. These insects defecate a lot and tend to release lots of annoying bodily fluids. So, if you can feel like your car is now “fresh”, then probably you have eliminated everything.

What Are Some Of The Signs Of Cockroach Infestation In A Car?

You might be thinking that your car is infested by cockroaches but you are not too sure? Well, here are some of the signs to look out for.

A few scurrying roaches

Generally, roaches are nocturnal insects that mainly operate at night. But by chance, you can always sight a few of them during the day if there is an infestation. This is because temperature changes, hunger, as well as the need for a nesting place may force some of them out of their hiding places.

Bad odor

Most people describe this odor as musky and oil. It tends to linger on due to its persuasive nature. And as the infestation increases, the odor will increasing worsen with time. While one roach isn’t able to produce a noticeable pungent smell, the intensity usually increases if there is an infestation.

Dead roaches

Most of these insects don’t live for long due to their shorter lifespan. They also tend to live in groups as they are gregarious. So, in case you spot a few dead roaches, chances are that there are several hundreds of them in your car already.

Fecal matter

It’s one of the first tell-tale signs that most people notice in their cars. Cockroaches usually defecate wherever they go and you might come across droppings that resemble coffee stains or grain-like specks with a brownish color. If there is an infestation, you will definitely come across a large number of droppings.

What are the Dangers of Having Cockroaches in Your Car?

Cockroaches are generally disgusting and an infestation would mean that your car is in a deplorable state. The droppings as well as other excreted waste may make one nauseous thanks to the musty annoying smell.

Besides that, they usually defecate as well as regurgitate harmful bodily fluids. As a result, they end up transmitting bacteria and other diseases that may have serious health consequences. Lastly, roaches can seriously distract drivers and even cause accidents.

There is nothing as annoying as driving in busy traffic and then a scurrying cockroach moves across your dashboard or the steering wheel. You might end up getting frightened and due to shock, you can easily lose concentration and cause up accidents.

While you might find this ridiculous and amusing, it has actually happened several times in the past.

Where are the Roaches Likely to live in the Car?

When inspecting your car for roaches, it’s usually in spaces where food particles could have accumulated. So, you must do an inspection on and under the seats.

Besides that, you should not forget to check out for their eggs in small crevices found within the glove compartment, seat fabric, and cushioning. Alternatively, you can check on the doors as well as the trash bin where you store your garbage

How to Keep Roaches out Roaches out of Your Vehicle

Whether you have a small car, SUV, a camper, a tow truck, or a large vehicle, the solutions designed to prevent roaches from coming back are all the same. How to get rid of roaches in car is one problem and keeping them off is another. But here’s what you should consider doing:

Avoid eating inside your car

The first thing you need to understand that if roaches infested your car, it’s because the sniffed food crumbs and other attractive pieces of dirt. So, it’s important that you avoid eating from your car as much as you can.

In case you are carrying food items, make sure that you remove them once you get them. You don’t want the fabric to accumulate grime as well as bug debris.

Frequent cleaning

it’s important to frequently clean your vehicle. Besides that, make sure that you throw out the trash daily and thoroughly vacuum everywhere at least twice per month.

Those who have RVs and large trucks should form the habit of decluttering the interior of the vehicle frequently to prevent clogging and accumulation of dirt. It’s important to look at every small area to ensure that no area is left out.

Avoid parking near bins and drains

Parking close to sewage openings, drains, and garbage bins can lead to a frequent roach infestation. This is because these are some of the areas where these pests tend to thrive and flourish.

If you park in such spaces, you are going to repeatedly have infestation regardless of how clean your car is. If you can, always park in clean parking spaces or a well-kept environment to minimize all the chances of invasion.

Consider what you take in your vehicle: roaches as well as their eggs can easily attach themselves to other items that you might take in your vehicle. They normally cling to clothing and textured possessions in addition to plants. So, make sure that you thoroughly check what goes inside.

Close doors, windows, and vents properly: although there is no vehicle that is 100% airtight, you have to consider the possible entryways of roaches. Sometimes leaving the A/C vents, doors, and windows open is what leads to the infiltration of these pests. So, make sure that you securely close them to minimize the chances of unwarranted access.

Final Thoughts

Cockroaches in your living space can be scary, and even more so if they are in your car. Just try to keep you cool and follow one of the methods we suggested – you’ll get rid of them soon enough!

If you want to learn more about various insects, then checkout our site categories, we have a bunch of articles there that are totally worth reading:

Ladybugs

Termites

Roaches

Spider

P.S.

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All the best

Steve