Short answer: Absolutely.
Slightly longer answer: Unfortunately, bed bugs aren’t picky about where they catch a ride — if there’s a seat and a shadow to hide in, they’re hopping aboard.
At ECO Bed Bug Exterminators, we often get asked, “Is it really possible to get bed bugs from a car?”
The answer is yes — especially when it comes to vehicles purchased from independent used car dealerships.
In fact, we recently helped a customer who purchased a used vehicle from a local independent dealer — only to discover clear evidence of a full-blown bed bug infestation.
During our inspection, we found live bed bugs, eggs, droppings, and shed exoskeletons inside the headrest, behind the seat, and hidden in the seat tracks — and they can also be lurking deep in the seams, under the mats, and tucked into the seat frames.
(Unfortunately, that wasn’t listed under “Features & Benefits” on the window sticker.)
Here’s the reality:
At some independent used car lots, vehicles are not always thoroughly cleaned before being put out for test drives or sale.
That means you could be test-driving — or even buying — a vehicle that comes with more than you bargained for.
Why Would Bed Bugs Be in a Used Car?
Bed bugs are expert hitchhikers.
If a previous owner had an infestation at home — or if the car was used heavily for rideshares, rentals, or transporting luggage — it’s very easy for bed bugs to crawl into the fabric, carpeting, or even the seatbelt mechanisms.
And here’s the tricky part:
Without a mattress or couch to settle into, bed bugs cram themselves into tiny, hidden spaces — making them harder to detect until you’re already bringing them home.
Signs of Bed Bugs in a Used Car
If you’re shopping at an independent used car dealership, be sure to check for:
• Tiny black specks (bed bug droppings) around seat seams and fabric folds.
• Pale yellow eggs or tiny white eggshells tucked into cracks and crevices.
• Shed skins — small, translucent shells left behind as the bugs grow.
• Actual live bugs, especially hiding in seat crevices, carpet edges, or under mats.
Bonus clue:
If you start feeling itchy after a test drive, it’s probably not just excitement about getting a great deal.
Are Bed Bugs in a Car a Health Risk?
While bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases, their bites can cause itchy, allergic skin reactions, significant sleep disruption, and mental stress.
If you unknowingly bring them from your vehicle into your home, you could be facing a much bigger (and far itchier) problem.
How to Protect Yourself When Buying a Used Car
If you’re shopping for a used car — especially at an independent dealership — take a few smart precautions:
• Bring a small flashlight and inspect under seats, around floor mats, and inside seat crevices.
• Look for black spots, shed skins, or tiny white eggs tucked into hidden areas.
• Be cautious with vehicles that have an overwhelming “chemical clean” smell — sometimes it’s more about masking odors than cleanliness.
• When in doubt, schedule a professional inspection before making the purchase.
Pro Tip:
If you wouldn’t buy a used mattress without inspecting it, don’t buy a used car without checking the seats!
What to Do If You Suspect Bed Bugs in a Used Vehicle
Don’t panic — but act fast.
Bed bugs won’t stay confined to your car.
Once they hitch a ride into your home, you could face a full-blown infestation that’s much harder (and more expensive) to eliminate.
At ECO Bed Bug Exterminators, we offer specialized vehicle treatments including:
• Bio-fungicide spray treatments to target and eliminate bed bugs safely.
• Professional steam treatments for deep, high-heat penetration into fabrics and hidden areas.
• Follow-up inspections to ensure your vehicle stays bed bug-free.
Because when you buy a car, you should be driving off with horsepower — not hitchhikers.
Think Your Car Might Have Bed Bugs?
Don’t wait until your car — and your home — become infested.
Contact ECO Bed Bug Exterminators today at 410.324.6223 for a professional vehicle inspection and treatment.
(We’ll bring the flashlights. You bring the coffee.)
