Vehicles covered with bug patches are a serious problem for long-distance drivers, especially those who live in areas where bugs are abundant.
These pests can damage a vehicle’s finish, block visibility on windows and windshields, and present potential hazards to drivers and passengers.
So, how to get bugs off car most efficiently while not adversely affecting the vehicle?
Our article gives you 9 superior methods to get rid of this headache in just a few minutes of cleaning. The sooner you apply this maintenance, the more “healthy” your 4-wheeled friend will be!
How To Get Bugs Off Car – Detailed Guide
Depending on the severity of the problem, you will be able to apply different cleaning methods. Explore how to get bugs off a car through the solutions we’ve compiled below.
Method 1: Using Dish Soap
Soap is a gentle and popular cleaning method that never disappears from your bathroom.
But if you combine it with a little “secret spice,” you will create a cleaning solution with an effect beyond expectations!
First, fill the bucket with hot water, mix a few drops of Johnson’s baby shampoo, and degreaser dish soap (or Elbow Grease). Adjust the amount of soap until you see enough foam.
According to automotive experts, this solution is especially effective in cleaning (such as finish, tires, or windows) and removing spray paint without damaging the paint underneath.
Dip the insecticidal sponge into the solution you made, then rub the insect carcasses off the car. Finally, you need to use clean water from the sprinkler to wash away all the dirt and soap on the car.
Method 2: Using Baking Soda
Baking soda is a mild alkaline cleaner that removes dirt, residue, and even dead bugs. Before starting this method, what to use to get bugs off car is:
- Baking soda (4 tablespoons)
- Warm water (about 1 liter)
- A microfiber towel
Mix baking soda and warm water in a small bucket and stir well. After about two minutes, dip the towel in the solution and rub the stain in a circular motion.
Rinse the car with clean water, and you’ve got rid of all the problems!
Method 3: Using Dryer Sheets
Common uses of dryer sheets include softening, removing lint, and preserving fragrance for clothes. Besides, it also helps remove stubborn dirt on a smooth surface like a tar remover.
You will need to fill the spray bottle with warm water. Then, spray water on a dryer sheet until it reaches the right amount of moisture.
Rub the dryer sheet onto the surface to be cleaned in a circular motion.
Get a new replacement as soon as the dryer sheet you are using becomes dirty after continuing the cleaning process until the surface is completely clean.
Mechanistically, this method will loosen the adhesion between the bugs and the car’s finish. The last one is to remove these unwanted objects and wash the car with clean water.
Method 4: Using Vinegar
Vinegar is a special seasoning for sour and pickled dishes and a great cleaning solution at an affordable price.
Due to its mild acidity, it works extremely well in sweeping away dirt and dust from aluminum rims and car windshields.
You’d better prepare a spray bottle and fill it with vinegar and warm water.
After making sure it is completely dissolved, spray the solution on the windshield and rub it with a microfiber cloth (in a circular motion).
Continue the spraying and mopping process until you completely remove any dirt from your vehicle. After all, use a clean cloth to remove any water and residue left on the surface.
Method 5: Using Oil
Oils come in various varieties, resulting in a wider variety of functions they can provide.
This method does not refer to the cooking products commonly found on your kitchen counter but to solutions that provide energy or repel insects.
Specifically, getting bugs off car requires the following ingredients:
- Baby oil
- Cooking spray
- Lamp oil
- Soap
- A microfiber cloth
Mix baby and lamp oil in a small cup, then pour the mixture into the cooking spray.
Spray the solution onto a soft cloth, then rub it onto soiled surfaces (by sap or bugs) in a circular motion. Once finished, use soap and water to clean the overall car again.
Method 6: Using Magic Eraser
If you don’t want to spend too much time preparing tools for the traditional cleaning methods above, then the Magic Erasers are for you!
This product is about the size of a bar of soap, very comfortable and compact.
According to the homemakers’ rate, this product can clean almost everything, including stubborn stains on the surface of your car.
You need to wet the Magic Eraser and start the scrubbing process with your circular orbit. Remember to avoid using strong force, or the rough surface of this cleaning product will destroy your car’s finish!
Method 7: Using Bug Deflector
If you are a long-distance driver, installing a bug deflector in the front of the car during the journey is the best idea.
This method deflects the movement of insects: instead of hitting the front of your car, they will be swept up and out of your vehicle.
You can find this product on sale at your local auto parts stores. Ask the experts there to complete the installation and get advice on how to use it effectively.
Method 8: Using Wax
This method of coercion takes advantage of tight adhesions to force bugs to leave your car’s surface. If you have never done this method before, below is a detailed guide:
- Step 1: Use clean water and soap to clean the car, then dry it.
- Step 2: Apply car wax on the sponge, then rub it on the affected area until you have covered it with wax.
- Step 3: Use a soft cloth to remove all wax and rinse the car with soap and clean water.
Method 9: Using WD40
WD40 is a multipurpose cleaner that penetrates and loosens the bond between the stain and the adherent surface, facilitating deep cleaning of oil, even stubborn stains.
The first is to wash your car with soap and water to remove dirt and better identify the bug splatter. Continue to spray a sufficient amount of WD40 solution on it and wait about 10 minutes.
After using a soft cloth and sponge to clean up the mess on the car, you need to rinse the car with clean water.
Note: because of its greasy nature, this method is unsuitable for glass surfaces, such as windows and windshields. Its composition contains strong detergents, so it is best to use gloves during cleaning.
FAQs
Why You Have to Clean Bug Splats Within The First 24 Hours?
Normally, whether the guts of bugs are alkaline, they have a relatively low pH and are acidic.
In high-temperature conditions, the heat accelerates acid corrosion and causes severe damage to the vehicle’s surface, typically permanent “bug etchings.”
Within the first 24 hours, the acid from the insect will be most corrosive. Therefore, the driver needs to perform the cleaning right within this period to avoid potential consequences for his vehicle.
Why Does My Car Pick Up So Many Dead Bugs?
The overwhelming number of bugs a driver encounters will largely depend on the season and region of travel.
Some species of beetles have a seasonal migration and mating behavior, so they will appear with extremely high frequency at these times.
For example, if you take a road trip through Texas in the early fall or late spring, you will have a headache with hundreds of dead bugs hitting your car.
Besides, the deterioration of the car’s finish will also not provide enough smoothness to remove the adhesion of the carcass.
That’s why besides eliminating the problem, regular vehicle maintenance is also extremely important.
How to Get Rid of Pests in My Car?
Thanks to its small size, insects can get through the car’s gap or the window to get inside. They will silently destroy your interior, especially when sugar or food is left in your vehicle.
Don’t overlook the following precautions to limit worm infestation as much as possible:
- Always close the window. When parking, remember to keep all the widows rolled up because a small space is enough for the entry of “uninvited guests.”
- Remove all food and drink from vehicles and their spills. The scent of the food on the car is the leading factor attracting the attack of insects around the area you park your vehicle. Like bug carcasses, the longer the spill is left, the harder it is to deal with.
Tips for newcomers: Use a cleaning solution and a soft cloth for plastic surfaces. For fabric seats and car floors, carpet shampoo will be the smartest choice.
- Vacuum the interior of the car regularly to remove dirt and bugs left. It’s best to keep the interior clean and limit eating/drinking in the car.
- Wash your vehicle after finishing a long journey full of dust and dirt. As experts recommend, you should wash your car once every two weeks, even when not in use.
Besides, it would be best if you did yearly waxing to protect the car’s finish. Wax makes car washing more convenient and prevents pest infestation, especially during peak season (August).
Conclusion
Timely removal of dirt and insect remains on the car after a long journey protects the car’s finish and helps your vehicle always look new.
Besides, applying our methods right after the first 24 hours after the trip will bring the best cleaning effect for you.
Our article gives you specific instructions on how to get bugs off car effectively. And now, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get your vehicle serviced.
See you in the next article!