Pest Infestations Pose a Surprisingly Serious Threat to Cars

Pests such as rodents, roaches, and ants are a common sight in households across the USA. Unfortunately for car owners, their vehicles are not immune to a pest infestation either. The presence of any pest inside a car can result in expensive damage and cause a severe safety hazard according to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). In order to best protect your vehicle from costly repairs and unsuspected breakdowns, it is important not to only familiarise yourself with common car pests but also make an effort to prevent an infestation from occurring in the first place.

Lovebugs can Cause Serious Damage

Depending on where in the USA you live, your car’s well-being may be threatened by an unsuspecting pest – the lovebug. Car owners should never be fooled by the name given to these little flying insects as there isn’t much to love about them. As they are naturally attracted to emitted gases, lovebugs will make every effort to get into your engine. Once they gain access to the engine it is only a matter of time till they cause severe damage. More often than not, bugs end up clogging the radiator of the car which can cause it to overheat and break down. In addition to fixing the engine damage, it is also important to address the infestation effectively. Fumigating is an effective way to rid your car of any pests. It is, however, important to seek out the services of a professional if you are unsure of how to safely fumigate your car yourself.

Rodents are a Real Risk

As unreal as it may sound, car engines are very appealing to rodents who are looking for a warm place to nest and raise their young. This poses a real risk to your engine’s health. The wiring in the engine is particularly susceptible to rat, mouse, and even squirrel damage. Chewing through the wire insulation can cause a number of problems including short circuits that, in turn, may result in very costly damage to your car. Unless you address the source of the problem, it may simply repeat itself after you spend a small fortune to have the damage to your car engine repaired. You can decrease the risks of a rodent infestation by removing all possible food sources from the car, eliminating any rodent nesting spaces near your regular parking spot, and opening your hood frequently to check for any signs of an infestation.

Even Spiders can Pose a Problem

Finding a spider in the car can cause a driver to swerve suddenly, resulting in an accident. A spider infestation can also cause severe damage to a car in a different manner. Although it happened more than a decade ago, many auto-enthusiasts still remember how 56,000 Mazda 6 Sedans had to be recalled due to a spider infestation. The yellow sac spiders’ webs caused severe obstructions that blocked the required air from reaching the gas tank. When this happens, the gas tank’s casing can crack which, in turn, can cause a potentially life-threatening fire. If you spot (or suspect that you have) a spider in your car, it is definitely in your best interest to have the matter attended to as soon as possible. As with other pest infestations, fumigating your car may turn out to be the most effective course of action.

If you want to keep your car in safe working order, you need to look after it. This includes making sure no rodents, spiders, and other bugs take up residence in it.