Woodlice are also known as wood cockroaches. They are small, wingless insects that can be found almost anywhere there is moisture and decaying plant matter: that means your home too! They feed on rotting plant matter, which makes them a good indicator of the state of your home’s humidity and moisture. They are not harmful to humans or their pets, but their presence can be quite off-putting due to their appearance and their habit of hiding inside furniture and walls. If you have discovered these uninvited guests in your home, this guide will offer advice on how to get rid of woodlice fast and effectively.
How To Get Rid Of Woodlice In The House?
Change Your Home Environment
Woodlice are mostly nocturnal creatures and thrive in moist environments, so if you can change your home environment to make it less suitable for them, you will be able to get rid of them very easily. You can easily do this by keeping your home dry as much as possible by using dehumidifiers in damp places such as basements or cellars. You can also switch to synthetic wood as much as possible because it is less porous than natural wood and doesn’t allow moisture to accumulate in it. You can also change the temperature in your home by switching off the heat during the summer months and the air conditioning system during the colder months. This will make your home less hospitable for woodlice, which are mostly tropical insects. Another way to change the environment in your home is by cleaning it thoroughly with strong cleaning agents. This will not only help you get rid of woodlice but other pests and insects as well.
Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning is a great way to get rid of woodlice in your home because once it’s done, you will be able to kill them off effectively. This method is considered one of the best ways to get rid of woodlice in your home because it is natural, chemical-free, and is safe for your kids and pets in the house. If you have wooden furniture, you may have to take extra care as harsh chemicals may damage the finish on your furniture. You can also use steam to clean your couch and other upholstery, making it look and smell new again. You can use a steam cleaner to clean your furniture, carpets, drapes, and other fabrics. Be sure to use a low amount of water when you are cleaning your floors so that you don’t end up damaging your wooden floors with the steam cleaner. You can also clean your windows and mirrors with steam.
Using Boric Acid
Boric acid is a natural insecticide that can be used to kill woodlice in your home. It is one of the best ways to get rid of woodlice because it is easy to use and can be purchased in most hardware stores. All you need to do is to sprinkle some boric acid in the areas where woodlice are most likely to be found such as behind the fridge or behind the drawers, in the crevices of the floor, etc. Boric acid is a slow-acting insecticide, so it will take a few days to kill the woodlice. You can also mix it with sugar and water to make a paste that can be applied to the areas where you think woodlice may be hiding. Alternatively, you can also mix boric acid with flour and water to make a paste that you can apply to the areas where you have seen woodlice.
Using Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a natural pesticide that is effective against woodlice. All you need to do is sprinkle some DE on the areas where you have seen woodlice and leave it for a few days. Once the woodlice walk on it, they will die. You can also mix it with sugar and water to make a paste that you can then apply to the areas where you have seen woodlice. Diatomaceous earth is not recommended for use on wooden furniture and other wooden surfaces because it can cause staining. It is best used on floors and other non-wooden surfaces. Before you use DE, make sure to wear a mask because it can be harmful to your lungs if inhaled.
How To Identify A Woodlouse Infestation
- If you have discovered woodlice in your home, you will want to identify the extent of the infestation as soon as possible.
- Woodlice tend to hide in crevices and cracks and can be found inside your walls and furniture. They are usually black or grey in color and grow to be around 2cm in length.
- If you think you have a woodlouse infestation, you can use sticky traps to identify the areas of the house where they are hiding.
- Another way to identify a woodlouse infestation is to look for shed exoskeletons (the outer shells of the insects).
- They are usually black or grey in color and can be found under furniture and inside walls.
- You can also look for small piles of sawdust, which is produced by the decaying wood inside your furniture.
How To Repel Woodlice In The House?
Use copper mesh traps
In addition to being a source of food, woodlice can also be a disease source. If you have a particularly bad infestation in your kitchen, the insects can leave behind a trail of bacteria and germs that are harmful to humans. If you are worried about contamination, try using copper mesh traps. These traps will help you to trap any harmful bacteria that have been left behind by the woodlice. In addition, the traps can be stacked up to create a barrier that will prevent woodlice from reaching the rest of your kitchen. If you have a large woodlouse infestation in your kitchen, these traps might help you to get rid of them.
Spray your home with a chemical repellent
If you’ve tried all of the methods above and are still suffering from an infestation, you can try spraying your home with a chemical repellent. One of the most common chemical repellents for woodlice is diaphoresis. This chemical is usually applied to the floor and is usually found in spray form. Diaphorobius is toxic to woodlice and can be very effective in keeping your home free from these little creatures. However, diaphoresis will only kill the woodlice that are currently in your home. Once they’ve been sprayed, they won’t be able to repel new woodlice.
Install sealable mesh screens on windows and doors
Woodlice can also be a problem for homeowners who keep their windows and doors open most of the time. If you live in a warm climate and have a lot of insects in your garden, they might try to migrate indoors. If you leave your door or window open, woodlice can easily find their way into your home. Fortunately, you can prevent this by installing sealable mesh screens. Mesh screens are particularly effective against woodlice because they are small enough to fit through the holes in the screen. Once inside your home, the insects can be incredibly difficult to get rid of.
Natural And Organic Woodlice Treatments
- If you want to get rid of woodlice naturally, there are a number of options available to you. You can repel them using strong scents, as mentioned in the previous section, and you can also trap them using sticky traps.
- Although it may be tempting to reach for the bug spray, pesticides are not recommended for use around the home, as they can cause allergies and other health problems.
- You can also opt for natural solutions, such as bicarbonate of soda, or herbal remedies such as neem oil.
- If you have a serious woodlouse infestation, you may have to combine different methods to get rid of them completely.
- You can also contact a pest control company to get them out of your home permanently.
Conclusion
Woodlice are incredibly common and are often the first sign of a humidity problem in a home. However, they can be both prevented and treated with ease, as long as you catch the problem early. Remember, prevention is always better than cure, so try to keep your home clean and well-ventilated to avoid an infestation in the first place. If you do discover woodlice in your home, don’t panic. They are not harmful, but they are very unhygienic and can cause a serious humidity problem if left untreated. Follow the advice in this guide to get rid of woodlice and restore the cleanliness of your home.
