How to Remove & Prevent Woodlice in the House
Have you ever noticed those small, armoured critters scuttling across your bathroom floor or lurking in the corners of a damp space? Meet the woodlice, uninvited guests who thrive in the moist nooks and crannies of our homes.
While they may look like tiny aliens with their segmented bodies and a multitude of legs, woodlice are actually fascinating creatures with a penchant for humid habitats. However, fascinating doesn’t always mean welcome. In this post, we’ll explore how these humble crustaceans can become quite a nuisance, revealing both their mysterious ways and practical tips on how to remove and prevent woodlice in the house.
Whether you’re dealing with a full-blown infestation or a solitary wanderer, understanding the world of woodlice is the first step to reclaiming your home from these moisture-loving pests.
Understanding Woodlice
Woodlice, which exist in various species across the UK, are small, oval-shaped crustaceans typically no larger than 15mm. Their exoskeletons are a distinctive brown or grey, marked by several horizontal ridges and noticeable antennae. Although they don’t transmit diseases, woodlice can cause minor damage to home furnishings and decorations. If crushed, they may leave stains on carpets.
Typically attracted to moist environments, woodlice often enter homes inadvertently and are usually found wandering without causing severe harm. Due to their preference for damp conditions, they generally don’t survive long inside the typically dry interiors of houses, as they quickly dehydrate. Woodlice are prevalent throughout the UK, feeding on mould, leaves, and rotting wood. Their presence might also lead to incidental damage to wallpaper, often due to the minute mould growths they consume.
You’re most likely to find these creatures on the ground floor of your home, entering through inadequately sealed doors, windows, or air vents. They can also inhabit roof voids or thrive in damp environments, which is why you’ll find woodlice in the bathroom or toilets of your home.
Common areas for woodlice infestations
Woodlice are commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms within homes, areas that tend to have higher humidity and an abundance of decaying organic matter. These conditions create ideal environments for woodlice, as they thrive in moist settings where they can find their preferred food sources, such as mould and rotting vegetation.
Signs of a woodlice infestation are often subtle but can become more noticeable over time. One clear indicator is the regular sighting of woodlice in damp areas of the house, particularly during the night when they are most active.
What’s more, woodlice can cause damage to household items that are made of or contain cellulose, such as paper products and soft plant tissues. This damage typically appears as small nibble marks or deterioration, especially on items stored in dark moist places like garages or under sinks. Observing these signs can prompt further investigation and management to prevent the infestation from escalating.
Are woodlice in the house harmful?
Woodlice are generally harmless and typically enter homes by accident from outdoor environments. They are not known to transmit diseases. While it’s rare, woodlice have the potential to damage wooden floors and furniture, but such occurrences are not common. Their presence is more of a nuisance than a threat to household materials.
How to remove woodlice
If you’re looking to address a woodlice infestation, beginning with natural removal methods is both eco-friendly and effective.
Ideas to remove woodlice in the house include:
- Diatomaceous earth
- Water and essential oils
- Simple traps of damp newspaper or potato skins
- Vacuuming
Diatomaceous earth is a chemical-free powder often used as a pesticide and insecticide. It’s highly abrasive to insects yet harmless to humans and pets. It works by dehydrating the woodlice as they crawl over it, leading to their elimination.
Mixing water with essential oils such as tea tree or peppermint can also be effective in removing woodlice. These oils repel woodlice due to their strong scent and disrupt their physiological functions when they come into contact with them.
Another straightforward and environmentally friendly method is to use simple traps. Damp newspapers or potato skins can be placed in areas where woodlice is frequently seen. The moisture in these materials attracts woodlice, who seek damp environments. Once the woodlice gathers on or under these traps, you can easily remove and dispose of them outside your home.
Lastly, regular vacuuming can be a very effective way to physically remove visible woodlice from your environment. This method is particularly useful for capturing woodlice in hard-to-reach areas such as corners or under furniture. It’s a quick solution that can help control their numbers and reduce their impact immediately.
Preventing woodlice infestations
Controlling moisture is one of the most effective strategies for preventing woodlice infestations in your home. Woodlice thrive in damp conditions, so maintaining a dry environment inside your home can significantly reduce their presence. Fixing leaky pipes and using dehumidifiers in particularly moist areas, such as utility rooms or bathrooms, can help keep these areas dry and less inviting to woodlice.
Sealing cracks and potential entry points around the house is another critical preventive measure. Inspecting and sealing gaps around windows, doors, and foundations, as well as any openings where utility pipes and wires enter the home, can prevent woodlice from entering. Consider installing airbrick covers which allow ventilation while preventing woodlice from accessing the house through these vents.
Regular cleaning and maintenance also play a crucial role in discouraging woodlice from settling in your home. Removing potential food sources by clearing away decaying vegetation, excess paper, and other organic debris will deprive woodlice of their preferred food. Regular vacuuming and sweeping of floors, especially in corners and hidden areas, will reduce the chances of woodlice finding a hospitable environment.
If you find yourself dealing with a woodlice infestation, regardless of its size, the approach remains consistent. It’s essential to treat the existing problem and simultaneously implement barriers to prevent future entry. Using natural repellents such as diatomaceous earth or essential oil sprays and setting traps like damp newspapers or potato skins can be effective immediate measures. For ongoing control, continue to seal entry points and apply treatments as necessary to keep the population in check.
When to call a professional
When it comes to controlling woodlice in the house or woodlice in the bathroom, there are certain scenarios where it’s probably best to call in the professionals and seek pest control assistance.
If you have tried the various methods of natural repellents, sealing entry points and moisture control, and the woodlice continue to appear or their numbers don’t decrease, it might indicate a larger problem that requires professional attention.
If the infestation appears to grow or spread to new areas, especially after initial treatments, this could suggest a more extensive issue that could be linked to problems within the home. Thankfully, professionals can assess the situation, identify the root causes and apply more potent treatments.
Even if your current infestation of woodlice can be managed, a professional will provide more detailed inspections and advice that is tailored to your specific situation to ensure that you have long-term control over the problem.
Get in touch with us today, and we’ll discuss with you the steps to take moving forward when it comes to controlling, removing and preventing woodlice in the house.