The prolonged lockdown would suggest that many owners are parking their vehicles for an extended period of time. In some cases, you may have started to notice spiderwebs or cobwebs on your side mirror. When removed, it seems to return in almost no time.
If this sounds like your situation, well, we have some news for you – there may be spider(s) living in your side mirror.
For one, spiders tend to live in secluded and undisturbed areas like underneath a stairwell or dusty old cupboards.
While some may not think much of it, there is a cavity behind the reflective glass in the side mirror housing. Even with some electric components, there’s more than enough space for a spider to live in it. It’s a safe place to hide from other predators such as birds.
First method would be the easy way, just hose down along the edges of the side mirrors to flush them out. Its effectiveness isn’t guaranteed, as the spider can easily return once it’s dry.
The next method would be to use an insecticide inside the mirror housing by spraying as close to the gap around the door mirror as possible. Keep in mind that the insecticide is likely strong enough to cause damage to your car’s paint, so it’s best to exercise caution.
If you do not wish to risk paint damage, you could disassemble part of the side mirror and clean it out from the inside. Most side mirrors can be popped off and on, but doing this poses another risk of cracking the glass itself. Either way, caution is the order of the day.
Also, it known that spiders dislike any citrus or mints, so you can try rubbing lemon peels around the side mirror or make a lemon water spray. Additionally, vinegar works too.
If all else fails, just get flamethrower to decimate the spiders. Just kidding. Please don’t.
Now that your mirrors are clear, there are a few preventative measures to be taken. The simplest one would be to fold your mirrors, especially if there are walls surrounding the car.
As side mirrors protrude from the car, it's easier for spiders to jump from the wall and onto the mirror.
While spiders tend to spark anxiety and fear around us, it’s worth remembering that only a small number of species contain human-threatening venom. And spiders are beneficial predators to keep other insects in check.
If you think about it, there really isn’t any harm in letting a spider in your mirror. It could keep other pests that could be living on your car away. But the thought of having spiders living in your side mirror just messes with the peace of mind, doesn’t it? Well then, proceed with caution.
The quest for automotive knowledge began as soon as the earliest memories. Various sources information, even questionable ones, have been explored including video games, television, magazines, or even internet forums. Still stuck in that rabbit hole.
