Finding fleas in your car can be frustrating and uncomfortable, especially if you’re dealing with flea bites. They can hitch a ride from pets, people, or infested items, quickly making themselves at home in your car’s upholstery, crevices, and carpet. Left untreated, flea eggs, larvae, and pupae can hatch and re-infest your vehicle.
If you’re wondering how to get rid of fleas in your car, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of eliminating fleas and preventing them from coming back.
Key Takeaways
- Fleas hide in car upholstery, carpets, and crevices, so removing and washing all fabrics is the first step.
- Vacuuming every part of the car removes fleas, eggs, and dirt while preventing them from coming back.
- Flea sprays, natural treatments, flea traps, and foggers help kill fleas and stop them from spreading.
- If fleas keep coming back, treating pets and your home while calling a pest control professional can help.
1. Remove and Wash All Removable Fabrics
Take out any fabric items in your car that could be hiding fleas, flea eggs, or droppings. This includes floor mats, seat covers, pet bedding, and blankets. Wash everything in hot water and dry on high heat to kill fleas at every stage of their life cycle.
Skipping this step could allow fleas to survive and re-infest your car, so be thorough.
2. Thoroughly Vacuum Your Car
Vacuuming is one of the best ways to remove adult fleas, eggs, and flea dirt while disturbing pupae to break the infestation cycle. Focus on the upholstery, carpets, floorboards, and crevices between and under the seats.
If pets have been in the trunk, vacuum that area too. Use a vacuum cleaner with a canister or sealable plastic bag, and dispose of the contents in a vacuum bag outside to prevent re-infestation.
3. Use a Flea Spray or Natural Alternative
Use EPA-approved flea spray with an insect growth regulator (IGR) to stop flea larvae and eggs from maturing. Choose one labeled for car interiors and follow the instructions.
For a natural option, sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth on carpets and seats, let it sit, then vacuum. Soapy water can be used to wipe down surfaces.
Avoid essential oils if you transport pets, as some can be toxic.
4. Set Flea Traps
To check for flea activity in your car, set a simple DIY flea trap:
- Fill a shallow dish soap with soapy water.
- Place a small light source near it (such as a battery-operated tea light).
- Leave it in the car overnight.
Fleas will be attracted to the warmth and jump into the water, where they will drown. This won’t eliminate an infestation but can help you monitor their activity.
5. Consider Flea Bombs or Foggers (With Caution)
Bug bombs release aerosol products that spread throughout your car to kill fleas and may also kill bed bugs and mites, but they may not reach deep crevices where larvae hide.
If you use one, ensure it’s safe for small spaces, follow safety precautions, and remove personal items. Use in combination with vacuuming and flea sprays for better results.
6. Treat Your Pets and Home
If fleas are in your car, they’re likely in your home and on your pets too.
Give pets a flea treatment, such as flea collars, flea combs, topical flea treatments, or oral medications. Wash their bedding in hot water. Vacuum your home regularly to prevent re-infestation.
7. Monitor and Repeat as Needed
Fleas can be stubborn, so keep an eye on your car for any signs of re-infestation. Continue vacuuming regularly and reapply flea treatments as needed.
If you continue to see fleas after multiple treatments, you may need professional flea control for a more thorough solution.
Get Professional Help to Get Rid of Fleas Out of Your Car for Good
If flea infestations are making your car or home uncomfortable, hiring a professional pest control service may be the best option to keep your space flea-free.
At Simple Pest Management, our exterminators are ready to help. Our professional flea treatments target fleas at every stage of their life cycle, ensuring they don’t return.
We provide safe and effective solutions for your car, home, and yard, using methods that eliminate these pests without putting your family or pets at risk. We also offer free two-week follow-ups to make sure any newly hatched fleas are taken care of.
Contact us today for fast, reliable treatment to eliminate your flea problems.
