Basements are already scary enough. An increase in basement bugs can make you never want to enter the basement again. Luckily, this common problem can be easily solved by taking a few preventative measures (unless you have a full-blown infestation). Keep reading to learn more about the various types of basement bugs, why they are attracted to your basement, how to prevent them, and how to get rid of infestations.
Types of Basement Bugs
There are many species of insects that thrive in moist, dark conditions like basements and attics.
Silverfish
These moisture-loving insects thrive in high humidity, which is why they’re often found in basements and attics. They feed on strange items around the house like shampoo, clothing, paper products, and regular food items (they love starches and sugars). Silverfish are able to squeeze into tiny areas and are very quick, making silverfish extermination especially difficult.
Earwigs
Similar to silverfish, earwigs are attracted to damp areas as well. Although they prefer to nest outdoors, earwig infestations can occur when they find ideal conditions inside your home. They love cluttered areas that don’t have much traffic. Earwigs will eat sweets, greasy foods, and other residue left around your kitchen.
Pill Bugs
Pill bugs are well-known for their tendency to roll up into a ball when touched or threatened. Also known as rollie pollies, they require areas of high moisture to survive. If they discover an abundance of moisture in your basement, they will love to move in. Luckily, eliminating this moisture will get rid of them – they will die without it.
Crickets
You’ll be ready to hire cricket extermination as soon as you hear these pests constantly chirping in your basement. They thrive in dark and humid areas, making many basements the perfect shelter for crickets. Plus, an infestation can cause damage because they feed on fabrics (such as wool and silk) as well as paper products.
Cockroaches
Nobody wants cockroaches in their basement. If you’ve seen these insects or noticed signs of them, there could be an infestation. These pests thrive in unsanitary environments with easy access to food and water.
Spiders
You might stumble upon the common issue of spiders in your basement. Although typically harmless, a spider infestation can be a sign that you have an entirely different insect problem on your hands (these crawlers feed on other insects).
Preventing & Eliminating Basement Bugs
If you don’t have a large infestation yet, it’s typically pretty easy to eliminate most basement insects with a few tactics.
Eliminate Moisture
One of the top ways you can get rid of current bugs and prevent future basement insects is to get rid of moisture in your basement. This can be done using a dehumidifier – in addition, make sure to check for any leaks.
Remove Clutter
Most species of basement bugs like to take shelter in cluttered areas, so removing this clutter can help deter them. Even small amounts of clutter can be the perfect spot for them to hide and reproduce.
Seal Entry Points
Although they might be attracted to moisture, basement bugs have to be coming into your home somehow. It’s important to find and seal up any entry points to your home (such as cracks, holes, tears in screens, and spaces under doors).
Hiring a Professional
You will likely need to hire a professional if your basement bugs have gotten out of hand. Luckily, Aptive Environmental offers insect and pest removal from fully trained professionals. Our treatments ensure that, if the pests we eliminate return, we will come back too (at no additional cost)! This means that we focus on your current pest problem in addition to future problems – we take measures to keep the infestation away for good.
