Can you tag on the price of the exterminator to the sales price? Even if you couldn't, I would call in the pros. Otherwise, you will probably stay awake at night worrying that someone got bit by a spider(s).

Jo

Yeah, I've decided to call a pro. I'm so creeped out. I can set a couple of mist bombs off inside the car but will have a pro spray the exterior and engine thoroughly.

I talked to the pro exterminator. He told me to give it go myself with a few fog bombs inside and a thorough spray in the engine compartment and under the car. He will come out if I still have a problem but wanted to be a good guy and save me some cash. Ew. I don't yet have the courage. Maybe tomorrow.

I swear I wont' sleep tonight!!....I would spend more in bombs and extra toxic kill for sure sprays than a pro would cost....and then still have to spray again!
Glad youa re getting rid of that nasty car!!!!

Linda, I already have an arsenal of unopened bombs and sprays sitting in my cupboard so I will use those up. And drive the beast through the car wash a few times. And sell it.

Don't bomb. The smell may linger for a long time. The seats are made of thick foam. There are many places inside the car the bomb cannot get to. Bombs may not be able to kill eggs.

1. Park the car under the sun with windows closed. The temperature can get hot enough to cook everything.

2. Turn on the engine for a while. The engine compartment will be hot enough to kill everything.

3. Turn the heater on to kill everything inside the heating/cooling system.

4. Afterwards, drive the car at high speed to shake off spiders under the car.

5. As a final step, go to a car wash.

Don't forget, there is no way insects can get inside the car from under the car or from the engine compartment. By law, there must be complete seal to avoid carbon monocide getting inside the car.

dcarch

Forgot number 6.

6. Sell the car soon. Volvo is now owned by the Chinese. Not sure how that may effect re-sale in the future.

dcarch

The battery is dead.

Eileen, I'm not at all afraid of creepy crawly things, so I'd come and clean out the car for you, if I were only closer.

You very well may have to air the thing out really well after the bombs, though, there may be a residual smell. I can't imagine that it would be any worse than a room in a house, though, with curtains and furniture, etc.

Definitely get that sucker sold!

Annie

Oh Annie, how I wish you were here! I can handle rattlesnakes, rodents, big-ass bugs, snarling dogs, scary panhandlers, bullying attorneys, and Jehovah's witnesses on my porch but drop a 1/2 inch spider in front of me and I start screaming in a panic.

I have bombed my house....and a vacation cottage.....there was no lingering smell....but lots of dead bug bodies!
If Volvo is now owned by the Chinese....the older ones become more valuable not less.
Spiders can survive all manner of temperature extremes...particularly desert spiders!
Call a pro to clean it out for you....and tell your ex to hire someone to come and get it.
Linda C

A quick shot of bug spray inside the vehicle won't hurt. A small spray and close up the door so the poison stays inside and has time to work. You shouldn't need to directly hit the spider.. the vapors are quite fatal to them.

You should be able to hose most of the engine compartment. Try not to directly hose anything electrical like the alternator and computer (computer may not even be under the hood).

Wear gloves to prevent contact with chemicals and bugs.

Two kinds of spray you might use... pyrethins and organophosphates. Both are nerve poisons so keep your exposure to a minimum.

My Firebird is infested with hornets!... trade bugs anyday.

: )
lyra

I have foggers that emit a fine mist. The pest pro said the eggs will also be killed. I have used the misters in the past and there is a scent but it isn't awful and a car should air out quickly at 55 miles an hour with the windows open.

Ex is buying the car and I really wouldn't want to risk him getting a black widow bite with his compromised health. He is diabetic and has congestive heart failure.

I'm glad it's already sold, at least. You're right about the ex, I know he has health issues and in spite of everything you probably don't want to kill him off on most days....

Annie

IMHO:

1. I believe insect bombs are mostly liquid, and not compressed gas. It atomizes and not gasifies. Inside a car which has hundreds of times less volume than a house, the atomized liquid will mostly settle and coat all surfaces and soak into carpet, fabric and foam cushions. Think about it before trying. Besides, insect bombs are not a very effective means of eradicating insects, especially insect eggs.

See:
http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef643.asp

2. The car will start with a recharged drained battery; however, car lead/acid batteries can be seriously damaged after a long complete discharge, unless it is of a deep-cycle type, which is not normal. Either replace it or don�t do long distance driving.

3. I am not sure how hot a car�s inside temperature can reach, depending on the exterior color and orientation. I had a Volvo 740 under the sun once, a can of soda exploded when I came back in the car, which required an expensive total detailing. Another time a Styro foam cup melted left on the dash board, with coffee all over the place.

Again, IMHO.

dcarch

The car started with a jump but the battery is most sincerely dead and would not charge while running. New battery tomorrow. The big mama black widow was declared dead by my friend. I wouldn't go close enough to see. Egg sacs are deflated from yesterday's spritzing of bug spray. The inside of the car doesn't seem to be webby. More later!

This is how urban legends get started. Good luck with the spiders!