As summer draws on, there’s one unwelcome house guest that we may spot lurking in the corners of our homes. Woodlice are one of nature’s best caretakers as they only eat decaying matter. We can thank them for sorting rotting leaves, fallen fruit, animal droppings, and other detritus, and they’re a useful addition to compost bins throughout the year. They will always leave living plants and humans alone.
Unfortunately, though, they’re an unsightly addition to the home. Britain has around 35 species of woodlice, and the most common one to find crawling indoors is the garden woodlouse.
Woodlice need damp places to survive, and when large numbers of woodlice are spotted indoors, it could be a sign there is too much moisture in the room due to condensation or dampness. In most cases, however, woodlice simply enter houses to seek protection from cold weather, which may be encouraged by the accumulation of vegetation outside a home.
Although they’re unpleasant to look at, woodlice are harmless. And, a simple housekeeping trick is the easiest way to remove them from your home.
Getting rid of woodlice is straightforward, as you can simply use a vacuum cleaner to dispose of them once you spot them. You should take care to empty your vacuum bag and get rid of it as soon as you have sucked up the insects.
Other measures to repel woodlice have also been found to be effective. Homeowners can use electronic pulsing devices to kill or repel woodlice, as well as other insects. Anti-insect sprays and powders can also be used to keep the critters at bay. There are plenty of other products on the market, although experts warn some of them may be overly toxic and should be avoided, especially if you have small children, pets, or vulnerable adults.
Experts at Cleanipedia told the Express: „It’s actually fairly common for woodlice to make their way into your home, especially in the summer. They won’t be harmful to your health, but you will still probably want to avoid having to deal with an infestation. Woodlice tend to feed off decomposing plants and fungi, such as compost or leaves by a drain. It is worth regularly cutting and removing dying leaves and minimizing the number of plants to avoid a woodlice infestation.”
Knowing the tricks to get rid of woodlice is one thing, but it’s equally important to know how to prevent them from ever coming back by making your home thoroughly “woodlice-unfriendly”.
This involves routinely checking the parts of your home most likely to attract woodlice. The insects particularly like moist environments, so it’s worth checking there is no rotting wood in your home. Areas to look out for include wooden shelves in the bathroom and wooden furniture in the conservatory.
Damp walls are also a magnet for woodlice, and so any signs of damp, mold, or mildew should be dealt with at once. This could explain a woodlice infestation if one does occur in your home.
The Cleanipedia expert added: „Woodlice are attracted to plants and weeds, so having these near accessible areas such as doors means you are encouraging the woodlice. Keep plants away from your doors, and be sure to clean up any weeds outside your entrances.“
In conclusion, while woodlice may be beneficial in nature, they can be a nuisance when they invade our homes. By following simple housekeeping tips and taking preventative measures, you can keep these unwanted guests at bay and maintain a woodlice-free living environment.