When you think of bed bugs you probably immediately think of a bed bug infestation in your home, and more specifically on your bed. After all, they’re called bed bugs for a reason. While the most common place to find bed bugs is on your bed and in your home it’s not the only place bed bugs can live. Before you feel too safe in your car, let me warn you that those pesky pests can also be found inside of your vehicle. But if bed bugs are normally found in homes then why would they be living in your car and how much of a threat are they?
Bed Bug Infestation in Your Car
Think bed bugs can’t get you inside of your car? Think again. Not only can bed bugs survive in your car, but they can thrive as well. Even though your bed might be a more appealing home for bed bugs, your car can still provide them with everything they need. What exactly makes your car a good spot for bed bugs to live though?
Stable Food Source 
The reason bed bugs love living in your bed is because they’re close to their food source, which is you. They don’t have to go far to get what they need. Not only does the proximity of their nutrition make your bed a great spot for them to live, but they’re able to safely feed on you with you being none the wiser. You’re much more still while you’re sleeping and bed bugs are easily able to attach themselves to you without having to worry about you noticing or injuring them. That same reason applies to cars too. Even though your car may be moving around, you’re not. For the most part you’re immobile and that gives bed bugs the perfect chance to feed.
A Safe Shelter
Bed bugs prefer a warm dark place to live where they can hide from you. Your bed may be their first choice but your car can be a good replacement. It has plenty of dark nooks where bed bugs can sleep. Even though your car isn’t always warm inside, bed bugs can live in both hot and cold temperatures as long as it’s not too extreme. They’re able to regulate their body temperature and hold out during the cold seasons until warmer climates come around. They don’t just prefer dark warm cracks for sleeping, but it also makes the ideal environment for them to reproduce. Before you know it your car will have a bed bug infestation that’s out of control.
How to Eliminate Bed Bugs From Your Car 
The first step in getting rid of bed bugs from your car is to clean up any clutter laying around. By taking away clutter you’re removing their hiding places and making it less likely that they’ll want to stay there. Once they’re more exposed it’ll make the next step easier for you, which is to thoroughly vacuum every inch of the inside of your car, including under and on the floor mats. Sucking up any bed bugs or eggs they laid will trap them inside of the vacuum and prevent them from spreading further. After that you’ll want to steam clean your car with a temperature of at least 200 degrees fahrenheit to kill any of the remaining bed bugs and eggs. The final measure is to spray pesticides around the interior of your car to ensure that the bed bug infestation is gone for good.
Learn More About Bed Bugs
Bed Bug BBQ is the #1 source of bed bug information. If you’re interested in learning about different ways to deal with bed bugs or what threats they pose to you then feel free to visit our website or call us at (216) 400-5330
