Bugs have caused problems for people for thousands—and thousands—of years. (Seriously! Scientists have found evidence that bed bugs lived in caves with people as long as 11,000 years ago.) Fast-forwarding to today, there’s a modern-day challenge that exists when you’re on the road: when critters splat on your vehicle’s windshield and reduce your visibility.

To deal with this problem, in the 1950s, someone invented a shield device called a bug deflector. Since then, other inventors have taken out dozens of additional patents for improved versions.

What exactly, though, are bug deflectors? (Other names for this shield that you may be more familiar with include a hood guard, a stone deflector, and a wind deflector.) How do they work? Are they effective? Who invented them? How do you install them? Which one is best for your vehicle? This post will guide you through these questions and more.

What is a Bug Deflector and How Do They Work?

They’re actually pretty simple in design, plastic strips that you can attach to the front of the hood on your truck above the fascia. This placement causes the airflow to go over your hood, redirected in a way that can reduce the number of insects (and small pieces of debris) that can fly into your windshield and lower your visibility.

Are Bug Deflectors Effective?

This shield is so incredibly straightforward in its appearance that we understand why you’d ask this question—and the short answer is “yes.” Going more in-depth, this brilliantly simple shield actually alters the aerodynamics of your truck by creating an upstream of air, which in turn sweeps bugs and small debris, including stone chips, over your vehicle’s truck. Does it prevent every single critter from touching your vehicle? No, but a hood guard can greatly reduce the number of them that do come in contact with the windshield.

Here’s a bonus to using a bug deflector. When dead insects crash into your windshield, they leave behind chemicals that create hard-to-remove residue, which further reduces your visibility. Lower the number of bugs that collide with your vehicle via a bug/wind/stone deflector, and you’ll help to solve that issue, too.

Early versions of this truck accessory were less effective than today’s options with improvements made and patented as people learned more about aerodynamics (thus one of the names of this device: a wind deflector). Older examples were typically taller and straighter than today’s, which have more of a curve and are strategically shaped for best effect.

Photo courtesy of David Reber

Who Invented The Bug Deflector?

The first patent listed for this device—#2778439 in January 1957—names A.F. Pfingsten as the inventor. Since that time, more than forty patents are listed with the most recent one being #9834162 on December 5, 2017. That inventor is named Melvin Gray from Ogden, UT. As a bit of trivia, Melvin has one other patent, this one titled “Method And Assembly to Prevent A Golf Club Grip From Contacting A Ground Surface.”

How Do You Install These Deflectors?

First, clean your truck’s hood. If there are scratches or dings that you want to touch up, now’s the time to do so. Next up, read the instructions for your specific bug deflector. Although instructions, in general, can be similar, yours may have a unique step.

Also, make sure that your deflector package includes all the necessary parts. Then, simply line up the deflector with the spot it will go on your hood. Some types are screw-in while others will use tape. Then you’ll either screw the shield in place or you’ll remove the tape backing and seal it into place.

Which Bug Deflector is Best For Your Vehicle?

Today’s models are vehicle-specific, custom-made for a particular make and model. So, make sure that you’re buying one that’s designed for the truck you have. To find out, go to our bug deflector product page where you’ll enter the year, make, and model of your truck. Click “GO” and you’ll see what options are available.

For example, if you have a Ford F-250 or F-350 from 2017 through 2021, then Hood Guard #ACTENT400264 would fit your vehicle. A Ram 1500 from 2009-2021? Here’s your RAM 1500 bug deflector.

Enthuze Bug Deflectors

Made in the USA, Enthuze bug deflectors come with a limited lifetime warranty and easy no-drill installation. They’re car-wash-safe and UV and scratch-resistant, made from reinforced acrylic that provides maximum hood protection and a sleek appearance.

Enthuze continually participates in product development to ensure that we produce industry-leading aftermarket truck accessories like our top-quality bug deflectors. Before a product can wear the Enthuze label, it must be thoroughly tried and tested to verify that it provides the best value without compromising quality.

CTP Distributors exclusively distribute our products throughout Canada.