5 Green Tips to Get Rid of Bugs in the Basement

The basement is commonly a hot spot for insects and other pests. Since pests need three things to survive: shelter, water, and food, it's not surprising that they're able to find these necessities in the lower level of the home. Basements that are damp, dark, moist, humid, and have easy access from the outside can be havens for insects. Regardless of whether or not your basement is finished, unfinished, or a dirt crawl space, it doesn’t have to be home to these creepy crawlies.

Common Insects Found in the Basement

One of the most common basement invaders is the camel cricket (otherwise known as camel crickets). The camel crickets are rather large, look like a cross between a cricket and a spider and get their name for their arched back, similar to that of a camel. While they can scare the wits out of a homeowner when they are face-to-face with one, camel crickets are simply a nuisance pest. The damage really only occurs when heavy infestations leave fecal stains on areas in the basement or they infest stored items. 

Other common bugs found in the basement are spiders, silverfish, sowbugs, pillbugs, millipedes, and centipedes.

Top Green Tips for Controlling Bugs in the Basement

The following green tips will not only help to get rid of the bugs in your basement but can also allow you to enjoy this extra space in your home. 

1. Install a dehumidifier.  Dehumidifiers force air to give up moisture removing it to either a reservoir or drain line.  Removing the moisture and dampness from your basement will certainly help you to see those pest populations in your basement decline.  Other added benefits to dehumidifiers is your ability to keep your basement or crawl space at a level where mold and mildew are unable to grow, improved air quality throughout your home, removal of musty odors in the basement or crawl space, and more. 
2. Encapsulate your crawl space.  If you have a vented crawlspace you most likely have a moisture problem in your home as well.  The benefits to crawl space encapsulation are dramatic:
   
   • Save on your utility bills
   • Improve your air quality
   • Control pests
   • Create a radon barrier
   • Improved comfort throughout your home
   • Seal the cracks and crevices leading into your home.  We talk about this often because it really is important.  Removing ways in which pests can enter your home will certainly help to eliminate the problem.  A good test is to stand in your basement with all of the lights off during daylight hours and look for any light entering from the outside.  If you can see daylight through a crack it must be sealed with caulk to keep the bugs out.
   • Vacuum regularly.  A vacuum can be a great defense for a homeowner with a pest problem.  Removing cobwebs and pests at the first sign of them will help to reduce pest numbers.
   • Maintain the area around the perimeter of your home.  Being a pest professional, I look at homes with overgrown vegetation and just know they have a pest problem.  Shrubs, ivy, too much mulch, and overgrown trees are all invitations for pests to move into the exterior of your home.  When the weather turns colder, the first thing pests will do is search for shelter, and inside of your home will be their next best option.       

The great news here is all of the above options are green. Not to mention, making these changes to your home will help you to enjoy a healthier home with better air quality. Not only does Cowleys provides complete pest control services for the basement and whole house, as well as crawl space encapsulation and dehumidifier installation services!