Nobody wants pill bugs in the basement, and if you’ve found them creeping around in there, you might be shuddering already.
Fortunately, there are plenty of effective methods for removing them from your basement and preventing them from returning.
You need to cut off the food sources for these insects, and remove anything that is causing moisture. A dry, food-free environment will not appeal to the pill bugs, and they will soon move elsewhere.
You can also spray garlic into crevices to further deter these insects, and seal any openings that are giving the insects access to your home.
We are going to look at:
- What attracts pill bugs to your basement
- How to get rid of food sources
- How to make the basement drier
- What deterrents you can put down to get rid of these insects
- How to prevent them from coming back
What Attracts Pill Bugs To Basements?
Pill bugs are attracted to any spaces that are dark, cool, undisturbed, damp, and have food nearby, and it’s easy for a basement to check those boxes.
They usually have small windows or no windows at all, and because they tend to be underground, they are cool.
They are also rarely used spaces, meaning that pill bugs are safe from predators, and they often have sources of moisture and food that the insects can depend on.
In short, they are a pretty ideal environment, and they also offer stability, which the insects are drawn to.
The temperature won’t fluctuate much, and is unlikely to get as low as outdoor temperatures, which means the bugs are safe from freezing.
All of these things encourage pill bugs to move into your basement, especially if there is food available. They will eat most organic matter, including paper, so if you store cardboard boxes or any old paperwork in your basement, they will be extremely happy.
Other organic plant matter will also attract them.
Be aware of this when choosing what to store in your basement, particularly if you know you have pill bugs in the garden.
They will eat paperwork if it’s available, and this may include things like family photos and memorabilia. If you need to store these items in your basement, put them in sealed plastic boxes to protect them.
How Do You Get Rid Of A Pill Bug’s Food Sources?
The best way to get rid of pill bugs is to cut off their food supply. This can be time consuming, but it’s important. If you don’t get rid of the food and you just kill the bugs, they will soon be replaced by more.
Getting rid of their food supply usually involves sorting through the basement and categorizing all organic materials (old wood, paper, etc.) as “food” for pill bugs.
You should separate all of this out, and then clean the basement thoroughly, particularly in the corners.
This may sound like a lot of work, but these insects need very little food, so even a few scraps of paper or a pile of wood shavings could sustain them for a long time.
Cleaning up will ensure that you have removed all the food sources.
You may find it helps to pile everything in the center of the basement while you work. Sweep, vacuum, and then wipe down the sides and corners of the room.
Next, tackle the items that you wish to store in the basement. All paper products and wood products should be stored inside sealed containers so that the pill bugs cannot access them.
Old newspapers are a particularly common issue. Think about any more unusual items you may have that are plant-based.
Usually, pill bugs will only attack decaying matter, so wooden furniture should be safe.
However, if you have a serious infestation, you may wish to move all organic material out of the basement until you have dealt with it. With no food left, the pill bugs will leave.
How Do You Make Your Basement Drier?
Moisture is probably the most important resource for pill bugs, and unfortunately, basements tend to be damp places because they are underground and not heated.
It can be difficult to dry your basement out, but you should try.
Note any damp areas and inspect the walls for signs of damage. If a window is old or you have any taps or pipes in the basement, inspect these too.
Repair any issues that you find, particularly if they are close to the ground where the pill bugs are feeding.
Being vigilant and keeping the space dry will go a long way to getting rid of bugs of all kinds, not just pill bugs.
If necessary, run a dehumidifier to reduce the moisture levels in the basement. Absorbent cloths may help to pick up any pools of water, but these must be removed once wet or they will become a source of moisture for the insects themselves.
Once the basement is dry, the pill bugs should soon leave, as they cannot survive for long without moisture.
If you are truly effective in tackling the pill bugs, they may be gone from your home in as little as two days, because they will otherwise dry up and die.
If you cannot easily deal with moisture issues, you will need to call a professional to do so or be extremely vigilant about getting rid of all food sources.
Pill bugs may still use your basement for shelter even if there is no food or water, but there should be far fewer if they can’t find anything to eat or drink.
How Can You Deter Pill Bugs?
You can deter pill bugs with certain scents, and garlic spray is a particularly effective one. To create a garlic spray, you should mince a clove of garlic and pour boiling water over it.
Allow it to steep for a while, and then strain out the garlic and transfer the liquid to a spray bottle.
This can then be sprayed in a perimeter around the room, or into any cracks and crevices that the bugs may be getting through or sheltering in.
Chili spray should have the same result (add a chili to boiling water). You can also spray essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, and citronella with the same results.
Be aware that the effects of this will fade in a few days or weeks, and you will need to reapply the spray.
This is not a long-term solution to pill bugs, but can help to drive them away and temporarily keep them out while you work on other solutions.
Diatomaceous earth is also an effective way of getting rid of pill bugs. This has the double benefit of absorbing moisture and killing the insects.
It is believed to kill insects because it is sharp and creates tiny incisions in an insect’s shell when it crawls over the powder.
This compromises the insect’s exoskeleton and causes the pill bug to dry out. Diatomaceous earth also serves as a repellent, so a line of this in your basement may help to deter the insects from coming in at all.
It may serve as a more lasting solution than the essential oils, but it still won’t be sufficient permanently.
Be careful when applying diatomaceous earth as it is dangerous to inhale, although otherwise harmless to humans. Keep pets out of the basement when you are using this powder for the same reasons.
In general, experts recommend against the use of insecticides and pesticides for dealing with pill bugs, because they are fairly easy to get rid of using other means.
How Can You Prevent Pill Bugs From Coming Back?
The only long-term way to prevent pill bugs from coming into your home is to seal up the cracks that they come through.
Pill bugs are tiny and can creep through very small gaps, so maintaining your external walls and the floor of the basement is crucial.
If you are getting pill bugs in the basement, take some time to inspect the exterior walls and look for gaps. Bits of dirt and debris will often indicate that there is a crack somewhere.
If there’s a window in your basement, maintaining the frame is particularly important, especially if it is wooden or there is any wood around it.
Because basements can be damp, they may be prone to rot, and this will both attract the pill bugs and grant them access to your home.
Replace any rotten wood promptly to reduce the risk of the pill bugs getting in. As long as cracks are sealed up and the basement has no leaks, you should find that no pill bugs can access it.
Conclusion
You can stop pill bugs from getting into your basement by sealing up the exterior walls and repairing the floor if necessary.
Remove any organic material from the basement or seal it in plastic boxes, and deal with any sources of moisture. Without moisture and food, pill bugs will either die or leave of their own volition.
Alright, that’s it for this article, here are a few hand-selected articles that you might also find interesting reads:
How I STOPPED My Neighbors Roaches Invading My Apartment!How to Get Rid of Roaches in Apartment Naturally – My Results
How To Spot and Prevent Termites from Causing Wood Damage
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