Racing around the curves of a mountain road exhilarates the mind and the body. But taking care of the carnage across the front of your car’s bumper afterward is not something most people look forward to. Take a look at our top picks for the best bug remover below and you may just change your mind—and go for another spin around those mountain roads.
Best OverallMother’s Speed Foaming Bug & Tar Remover
Check Latest PriceSummaryIf you’ve ever wanted a bug removing solution you can simply spray on and rinse off, Mother’s has answered your call.ProsMother’s Speed Foaming Bug Remover can be used on any exterior surface without having to worry about damage. Better yet, it neutralizes bug acids to leave a streak-free shine.ConsStubborn bugs will require a bit more elbow grease than the Speed Foaming Remover can offer.Best ValueThetford Premium RV Bug Bust
Check Latest PriceSummaryThetford’s Premium RV Bug Bust is the perfect solution to bugs on all your toys, from the car and the boat to your ATV or UTV.ProsFully biodegradable, non-toxic, and non-flammable, this product comes in a spray bottle complete with an ergonomic handle and adjustable nozzle.ConsThough it can be used on a variety of surfaces, this product may still require some scrubbing after application, especially for baked-on bugs.Honorable MentionGriot’s Garage Bug & Smudge Remover
Check Latest PriceSummaryChances are you’ve got just as many smudges on your car as you do bugs. Use Griot’s Garage’s Bug & Smudge Remover to take care of both. ProsGriot’s Garage packages their bug remover in a convenient spray bottle you can refill as necessary. The potent formula works deep below the surface to break loose stubborn bug guts.ConsYou’ll have to provide your own microfiber towels if the bug guts on your vehicle need more than just a nudge from the pressure washer.Most bug removers will come in a spray bottle. You can adjust the nozzle on some products to spray in either a concentrated stream or a misted fan pattern. Spray bottle bug removers can get tiresome if you’ve got a lot of bugs to remove but they work well when you need to refill the product after it’s nearly gone. Spray bottle bug removers aren’t necessarily weaker or stronger than other types we’ll discuss below.
Pressurized bug removers often spray on and foam up, which can be incredibly useful if you don’t want to sit there and squeeze the trigger for minutes at a time. As with any aerosol can, you want to make sure you don’t knock the nozzle off the can itself, because then the product within is useless. However, aerosol bug removers can also reach the smallest of surface areas and store well for later use.
There are a select few manufacturers who produce bug wipes which are meant to be used to wipe bug guts off by hand. These wipes are hardly an effective solution for a bumper full of bug debris but do work well if you’ve got a bothersome streak on your windshield. Bug wipes are more of a touch-up solution than they are necessarily a go-to product you can use to tackle big jobs.
Though not necessarily bug removers in their own right, the accessories often used in conjunction with cleaning solutions can be just as useful as their liquid counterparts. For example, the many sponges, scrubbers, microfiber towels, and pads are sold to help agitate bug guts. If you’ve got stubborn bugs to remove, you’ll get better results if you pair these accessories with one of our top pick products.
Bugs N’ All Multi-Use Vehicle Cleaner a great solution to consider if you’re still looking for a bug remover solution. The family-owned, Minnesota-based company has been taking care of vehicles for quite some time and continues to develop potent products for every car owner.
Over 60 years in the industry teaches you a lot when it comes to car care, which is why Gunk has such a reputation for products that work well to get the job done right. Headquartered in North Carolina, Gunk sells its own Heavy-Duty Tar-N-Bug Remover.
Started in 1997 as part of the AutoGeek empire, McKee’s 37 is the brainchild of Robert McKee. The company is based out of Florida and continues to support the McKee’s 37 name with various car care products, including the McKee’s 37 Road Kill Bug Remover.
Headquartered in Washington, Griot’s Garage was founded in 1990. Nearly three decades of service in the name of the men and women who love their cars has taught Griot’s Garage’s team that quality and service is key. Its Bug Barricade is just one example of that philosophy.
No one wants to spend their afternoon scrubbing away at bugs when they could be driving around and having fun in that very same car. The best bug removers should go on easy and come off easy as well, taking most of the bugs with it. Spray bottles and aerosol cans typically apply easily.
Unless you run into the world’s biggest storm of bugs on the drive home, you should be able to buy a product that you can store for later use. Spray and aerosol cans of bug remover typically have a sealing setting, whether it be an “off” setting of a nozzle or a replaceable cap. Bug remover wipes typically reseal so the liquid remover within the wipes doesn’t dry up.
Just as important as being easy to apply, the best bug remover is also incredibly effective. By that we mean you shouldn’t have to scrub too hard at any spots after applying the bug remover and rinsing it off. Effective bug removers may need to sit on your vehicle’s paint for a few minutes to work as advertised but it will be well worth it when you wash it off and find a clean bumper underneath.
Finally, the best bug removers shouldn’t discriminate when it comes to the types of materials it encounters. Since there’s probably rubber trim and plastic trim pieces in and around the spots where bugs tend to cluster, the best bug removers should be able to clean these components as well, without creating any lasting damage.
Mother’s makes bug removal easy with the foaming action of its Bug & Tar Remover. Featured in an 18.5-ounce aerosol can, the foaming solution neutralizes bug acid on contact. The professional strength formula sprays on and wipes off so you can spend less time cleaning and more time having fun.
The no-drip solution for bugs of all types, Mother’s Foaming Bug Remover can be used as a pre-wash solution for extra scrubbing power or as a spot treatment. Simply spray the solution across the entire front end of your vehicle. Don’t forget the backs of your side mirrors too! Let it soak in for a few minutes as you apply the rest of your cleaners and then wash your vehicle as normal. Alternatively, you can grab a microfiber towel and hit affected areas only. Plus you don’t have to worry about staying away from exterior surfaces—you’re safe with Mother’s.
Our only concern with the Foaming Bug & Tar Remover is that stubborn bugs will still need a bit of elbow grease to get the hint. Even a professional-strength solution can’t beat them all. However, professionals and amateurs alike can easily use Mother’s Speed Foaming Bug & Tar Remover.
Bugs don’t limit themselves to streaking their guts across the front of your vehicle. In fact, they can cause a lot of damage to motorcycles, RVs, and boats as well. Thankfully, Thetford has come up with a bug removing solution that works for any surface, from on-road streets to off-road paths. No matter how many bugs you encounter, Thetford’s Premium Bug Bust will make a quick cleanup.
Thetford’s 32 ounces of bug removing product works well because it’s non-toxic and non-flammable. In fact, the solution itself is 100-percent biodegradable, so you won’t have to feel bad about sending those bugs to their final resting place. Thetford sells its bug remover in a standard spray bottle, complete with an ergonomic handle and adjustable nozzle tip. Simply spray away, allow the product to sit and work its magic, and then rinse off to reveal a clean surface.
The only drawback we found with Thetford’s Premium RV Bug Bust is that it’s a jack of all trades but not necessarily the best at removing stubborn, stuck-on bugs. You’ll likely need to target some areas where the bug guts are especially worked into the paint but beyond touching up a few spots, nearly any car owner should be able to make use of the Thetford Premium RV Bug Bust product.
Tackle tough bug guts with Griot’s Garage’s Bug & Smudge Remover. Though clear and seemingly ordinary, the Bug & Smudge Remover makes use of a potent formula that works deep to penetrate below the surface to remove built-up and baked-on bug smears and road grime. Within a few minutes of using the Bug & Smudge Remover, you’ll have a cleaner car and no sore muscles from scrubbing.
The best thing about Griot’s Garage’s bug removing product is that you can easily refill the bottle from their gallon of concentrated liquid once it’s gone. The product goes on easily, with just a few squirts across the front bumper of your car. Allow the Bug & Smudge Remover a few minutes to work into the paint and then rinse off for a cleaner car. You won’t have to worry about scrubbing or picking away at leftover bug guts. Best of all, Griot’s Garage knows that bugs aren’t the only thing that will deface your vehicle’s front end. Their product will remove smudges of all kinds as well.
The biggest drawback we found with the Bug & Smudge Remover is that there aren’t any microfibers included. That means if you need to add a little persuasion to get rid of the stubborn bug guts left behind, you’ll have to pick up a few rags of your own. With that said, however, it’s easy enough to pick up a package of them at your local auto parts store, just as it’s easy for nearly anyone to use this product.
This powerful spray on formula will fight stains and easily remove dried on residue. Spray the formula onto your car wherever you have bugs, tar, or tree sap. There’s no rubbing required. Wait a few minutes for the remover to work, then wipe your car clean.
You’ll find this remover easy to use. The sprayed liquid will cling to your car and stay where you spray it. This ensures you use less product to get the same cleaning effect. To make it even better, this cleaner will leave behind a protective barrier to make future cleaning easier.
Unfortunately, you may find that you need to do several applications before your car is totally clean. You may also need to let the formula soak for longer than a minute or two. This can be hazardous, though, because it could potentially etch into your clear coat or other protective film.
You can use this cleaner from Armor All to remove bugs, bird droppings, and tar. It will be tough on the stuck-on debris, but gentle on your wax coating. It also works well on spots or soils as a pre-wash cleaning treatment. Shake the bottle well before you spray the formula on your car. If you have really stubborn spots, let it soak before you wipe it off.
This formula is safe for use on glass, such as your windows. You can achieve a streak-free shine by using a microfiber cloth and continually rotating to a clean portion as you wipe the glass.
Unfortunately, this remover may not be as effective as it claims. You may need to spray a large amount of the cleaning formula onto your car to get it to work. This will cause you to go through your bottle quickly. If you decide to use it on glass, prepare to do a lot of wiping to get that promised streak-free shine.
For a quick and portable solution for removing bugs, road grime, and bird droppings, consider throwing these wipes in your car. This pack of ten wipes will activate with water and then gently loosen the stuck-on debris while lubricating the paint finish. Each wipe is made of synthetic microfiber that will “grab” the dirt as your gentle rubbing knocks it loose.
These wipes do not contain any harsh chemicals, solvents, or degreasers. This makes them safe for all car types and materials used on cars. This includes your paint, clear coat, plastic, rubber, glass, and chrome. Best of all, it only takes 2 ounces of water to activate a single sheet.
Unfortunately, these wipes mainly work on smaller bugs. They tend to fall short when removing dragonflies and other larger bugs. You may also find a hazy film on your car where you use this wipe. You’ll need to rinse your car immediately after using the wipe or buff it off later.
This car surface cleaner is designed to remove large amounts of wax, grease, tar, and road film. It’s perfect for preparing your car’s surfaces for sanding. This includes fiberglass, metal, plastic, and paint. Use it before sanding to extend the life of your sandpaper. Then use it after sanding as a cleaning agent to prepare for a smooth top coat.
This is a great product for cleaning large surface areas on a vehicle. It’s also ideal for preparing a vehicle’s surface before you begin work on it, so you preserve your tools. The formula is gentle enough to not damage the paint.
However, this is a water-based cleaner and may require a bit more soaking and rubbing to achieve a thoroughly clean and smooth surface. It won’t compete with professional grade solvents and cleaners.
This advanced cleaning formula from Nanoskin will remove bugs from your car. It’s safe for use on paint, chrome, glass, and plastic. This cleaner is especially effective on love bugs, but it also works to remove road film, tar, and road grime. To use this cleaner, you’ll buy either the 16-ounce or 1-gallon bottle. The formula is concentrated, so dilute it with water to a 4:1 to 9:1 mixture.
Because this cleaner is a concentrate, you get a lot more cleaning product for your money than with other cleaners. You also have complete control over how concentrated your dilution mixture is. This lets you tailor your cleaning formula to your climate and the type of grime or bugs you need to remove.
Unfortunately, you’ll find yourself using more product in hotter climates. Because it’s diluted in water, it may evaporate too quickly to work if you don’t use enough to cool the surface of the car. You’ll also need to buy a separate container to hold your dilution mixture.
This bug remover kit is perfect for cleaning your car while on the go. Each kit comes with a small 4-ounce bottle of cleaner and a microfiber towel. To use this cleaner, spray the formula directly onto the bug and let it sit for 30-60 seconds. Then use the included cloth to wipe your car clean, and then buff to polish.
This cleaner is more than just a bug remover; it’s also a polisher. Flat paint finishes remain flat while gloss finishes get buffed to a streak-free shine. This cleaner is safe to use on all non-porous surfaces. This is because it doesn’t contain any petroleum, Teflon, silicone, wax, or other harsh chemicals.
Unfortunately, this cleaner isn’t very effective on bugs that have been on your vehicle for a while. This means you’ll need to immediately use this cleaner on fresh bugs. Otherwise, you’ll need to use a lot of rubbing effort to remove stuck-on bugs. The travel size of the bottle is also quite small, which means you’ll go through it rather quickly and need to replace it sooner than other larger bottles of cleaner.
Spray this bug and tar cleaner from Rain-X on your car and easily remove bugs. The directions claim no scrubbing is required. Spray it on, let the formula soak, and then rinse it away. You can use this cleaner on your clear coat, metal, plastic, and glass surfaces.
The formulation of this cleaner is more of a gel. This helps it to stick to your vehicle’s surface so that it has time to work on the bugs. You can also use it on stains to clean up the look of your car’s paint. Users say it works great on love bugs.
Unfortunately, this formula can feel greasy on your car. You’ll then be stuck struggling to remove this residue. The gel doesn’t do a great job at staying where you spray it, which only makes the greasy mess larger than necessary.
The Chemical Guys are responsible for this bug cleaner that claims to remove squashed and dried-on bugs from your grille, hood, headlights, bumper, and windshield. To use this cleaner, pour 2 ounces of formula into your wash bucket. Then use this mixture to wash your car.
This cleaner is great because it eliminates a step in the cleaning of your car. You can remove bugs and clean your entire car with this car wash formula. It comes in several different sized bottles, with the gallon being the largest. This gives you plenty of cleaner to last you for quite a while. The formula is safe for clear coats and single stage paint, but it’s also strong enough to easily remove the bugs.
Unfortunately, this product doesn’t quite live up to the Chemical Guys’ reputation for quality and effective products. This wash doesn’t work well to remove bugs that are baked on, nor does it do a good job of removing tar. The formula is also not a true soap, but more of a pre-wash. Therefore, for the best clean, you’ll want to wash your car with your regular soap after rinsing with the cleaner.
A: Yes, you can. Just be sure to test areas you’re not sure about by applying the bug remover solution to a microfiber first. Don’t leave the bug remover solution on the painted surface for long periods of time. Make sure you rinse it off if you apply it.
A: Some products may leave a film, even after a rinse. We recommend using a bug remover and then wipe the area clean with a spritz of spray wax afterward. That way, you’ve applied at least a little bit of wax to the area and you’ve removed any leftover bug remover solution.
A: Some bugs just don’t want to come off easily. Try a few rounds of bug remover with added pressure each time. If that’s not working for you, check to see if the bug has etched itself into the paint. If this is the case, we recommend wet sanding the area if you’re comfortable. Otherwise, you can also use a paint remover or lacquer thinner but use caution.
A: Every manufacturer will have their own guidelines as to how to use the product. However, we recommend leaving the product on your vehicle for 3-5 minutes. This will allow the product to soak into any contaminants and allows you time to do other things as you wait for the product to work.
A: There are a number of products out there that will remove bug guts. The most popular are bug sponges designed not to scratch your paint but still remove bug debris. You can also purchase pads wrapped in microfiber that are designed in a similar way.
A: Yes, citrus-based products use the natural citric acid to dissolve bug guts and tar. Citrus-based products are also often used to remove tree sap as well, mostly because the acidic solution eats away at the sticky sap, allowing you to remove it without getting sticky fingers.
A: If they’re left on the paint long enough, they might. That’s why we recommend using the bug remover after you rinse but before you wash your vehicle. Alternatively, use the bug remover product on your black vehicle in the shade, so that you can easily remove any residue with spray wax soon after.
A: Yes, clay bars can be another way to get rid of stubborn bug splatter. However, because clay bars are meant to remove harsher chemicals and debris that are discoloring your paintwork, we suggest seeking other alternatives before using a clay bar.
Our top pick for the best bug remover is Mother’s Speed Foaming Bug & Tar Remover because it’s a simple solution to a nasty problem, and it doesn’t necessarily require elbow grease.
The Thetford Premium RV Bug Bust won our pick for the best value because it’s useful on a variety of surfaces.
