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Car infestation... advice?
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ScaredinCincinnati
newbite
Joined: Oct '10
Posts: 21offline
Posted 2 years ago
Sun Jan 9 2011 22:46:03
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I'm not sure how many people have to deal with infestations in there cars... I've heard different things from different sources. My PCO says they can infest a car just as easily as a home, while I've read other PCO's advice online that says it's uncommon.
Anyway... I've been dealing with this situation for three months now. The PCO has come and sprayed numerous times. On his most recent visit, he found a nymph crawling in the couch. He has never found any evidence of the bugs in the couch before, and he is convinced it was just a hitch hiker.
At this point I'm convinced the car has to be the source of the problem. I've got numerous bites on my bum, and a few on my back. I've done my best to inspect, and have found nothing. But there are so many crevices in a car where they can hide, this really doesn't make me feel much better. I've purchased an active moniter, which should be here tomorrow. If in fact they are there...
A. Will keeping the windows down in this below-freezing weather help at all?
B. I've read that repeated vaccuming can take care of the problem... is this true?
C. Have any of you ever had your car fumigated? How much did it cost? My car is old and not worth very much, if the cost is too high I may just scrap the thing *sigh*Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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victimized
new username: help_me
Joined: Nov '10
Posts: 305offline
Posted 2 years ago
Sun Jan 9 2011 23:12:47
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I am having the same problem. My exterminator says it's been getting cold enough at night that it isn't a problem. I've read on here that some people have left their stuff out all winter in a northwestern US winters yet the bugs were not dead. The inspector told me that vacuuming out the car should be enough. I've been told on here that it is very uncommon. I've also read on here posts from many people who have the same problem which indicates it isn't really that rare. One person suggested using Nuvon Prostrips in my car for 21 days while another said I would have to leave the heater on or something because they might not work in cold weather. Leave the car + heater on for 21 days? ? ?
I, too, have not seen anything in my car yet. However, I always find new bites on me after having been in the car. My fiance has bites all over him yet every time I check him in his sleep I see nothing. I've had endless bite marks on my feet, especially when I was still wearing slip-on shoes. Plenty on my bum and upper back/neck area too. Last week or so he came in and I made him strip down. When I opened the dryer there was a dead adult by the dryer door that likely had had a meal and I suspect it had been in his clothing from the car.
When we get a high-power steamer we intend to deep steam the car several times since the only person I can find locally who does steam detailing does not answer his calls. Have thought about using the active monitor but quiver at the thought of spending that much money for money and the bait refill things but please let me know how it works.
Have also wondered if leaving the windows open rather than closed would make the car colder at night but we live in an area with a lot of petty car thieves so not a good idea.
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ScaredinCincinnati
newbite
Joined: Oct '10
Posts: 21offline
Posted 2 years ago
Sun Jan 9 2011 23:39:22
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It's nice to know I'm not the only one...
I actually purchased the moniter that uses heat to attract, not CO2. I found it more cost effective.
I'm just so torn up about the whole thing... I've done everything I possibly could to ensure I haven't been spreading them, and if they're in the car, my efforts have been useless. If I've imposed this problem on my family, I think I might lose it. I've stopped going places since I realized the problem could be the car. I live alone, and this isolation is really getting to me.
I'd rather have them in my home then in my car any day. At least no one I love could suffer.
I guess I'll take a look at the moniter after it's been set it in place and go from there.
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rs1971
senior member
Joined: Oct '10
Posts: 539offline
Posted 2 years ago
Mon Jan 10 2011 21:36:06
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Speaking of infestations in cars, my understanding of the general advice against using a bug bomb against bed bugs is the rationale that they cause the bug to disperse to which just has the effect that the infestation becomes harder to finally eradicate. (aside: the implication is that they are resistant to the pesticide, but they must not be entirely resistant or they wouldn't bother to flee at all)
In any event, given the danger is that they will flee the area of the bomb, might not a car be the exception to the rule? Obviusly this isn't something you'd want to do in your garage but if you could do it out a safe distance from the house, wouldn't a bomb in a car make sense? Whether it killed them or just forced them out of the vehicle, wouldn't either outcome be just as good? Or is there some other reason why you should never let off a bomb in a car?
-rs1971
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ScaredinCincinnati
newbite
Joined: Oct '10
Posts: 21offline
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Jan 11 2011 1:14:16
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You know, I'm really not sure about the bomb. This website has proven useless to me. I seek advice and get no response, just more people with questions. I don't know why I can never get a professional resonse, but I'm done posting. This is silly. Bye.
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bugnut
senior member
Joined: Feb '10
Posts: 528offline
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Jan 11 2011 10:29:34
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Scared,
The Nuvan strips can work but only if the ambient temp is about 70 degrees (search this site for Tracy-a chemical engineer who beat the problem herself but with great care and planning). One of the entomologists on this site, Richard Naylor, said that bedbugs stop looking for food at 55 degrees, so theoretically, they could be in your car, you warm it up to over 55 when you are driving and they come out.
When I had them back in the summer I was sure I got bit in at least one of our 2 cars. So I took the car i suspected and had it Vikaned at a cost of $800. The other car I put in the Nuvan strips for 3 weeks with a small battery operated fan for circulation. This was in August when the temps were right for this. Then for good measure I had both cars detailed. This was very expensive and both cars are 10 years old, but I could not see ridding the house of them just to bring them in from the cars. I also believe I got them from work so I quit my job (I have since found another job).
Please note the beacon will not work effectively in temps under 70. I hate to say this but at this time of year it seems like Vikane may be your only option if you are sure the car is a source. If you choose the do the Vikane make sure you think about another outside source you may be getting them from, i.e. boyfriend, work etc.
I hope this helps - I know it is expensive - I think I spend close to $8000 total in pesticides, exterminators, bags, airtite bins (I have 60 @ $18 a pop) discarded furniture and of course therapist fees! I emptied my savings account but I do not have them anymore. I hope you can get rid of them too - Good Luck!
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