25 best remedies for wood lice in an apartment and house, how to get rid of them
Often in houses and apartments "undesirable tenants" are bred, the neighborhood with which brings a lot of trouble. They frighten household members with an unsightly look, carry various diseases, without bringing any benefit. These "lodgers" include wood lice. How woodlice appear in an apartment and how to get rid of them, we will find out below.
What is this insect
The woodlouse is a representative of the crustacean suborder, which during evolution acquired the ability to live on land. It's not an insect, as everyone called it.The woodlouse has a rounded body, chained in a chitinous shell, which is divided into several separate segments. In nature, there are about 250 different species of insects, among which white, black and even red individuals.
Causes of occurrence
Despite the possibility of living on land, woodlice prefer places with high humidity and settle where there is moisture. She can live:
- in cellars and basements;
- under rocks and fallen trees;
- In the bathroom;
- in the toilets;
- in the cracks of the masonry.
To note! Of the variety of woodlice recorded by scientists, only a few species survive without a constant source of moisture. The others quickly perish or seek another place of residence.
Fight alone or call in specialists
Woodlice are specific insects, and fighting them without the necessary skills can take a long time. If possible, it is better to entrust the fight against possible pests and pests that have occupied your house or garden to specialists. They know all the nuances of insect behavior and will come up with effective control tactics.
If you cannot resort to the help of exterminators, start the fight on your own.
The main habitats in the house and apartment
The appearance of wood lice in the house is always a big surprise, but if you wish, you can predict their appearance, since the number of their habitats is very limited. In living quarters, woodlice live:
- In the bathroom;
- in the toilets;
- in ventilation ducts;
- next to or inside sewer lines;
- under window sills;
- not far from garbage cans;
- under baseboards.
By keeping these areas relatively clean and dry, woodlice infestations can be easily prevented.
Under the bathroom
The bathroom is one of the main sources of humidity. The air humidity in this room is several times higher than in other rooms, which attracts wood lice there like a magnet. In addition, wet towels and other items are usually stored in the bathroom. All these factors together create comfortable conditions for the life and reproduction of insects.
Behind the toilet in the toilet
The toilet is another place where woodlice are most comfortable to exist. The problem is compounded by the presence of a sewer pipe in the toilet, which creates additional humidity. The appearance of wood lice in the toilet is a common thing.
Behind the sewer lines
As mentioned above, sewer lines are a favorite habitat for woodlice. It is always damp next to them, there is plenty to enjoy, and the owners practically do not look under them, which allows insects to feel safe.
In ventilation ducts
Ventilation ducts in apartments and houses are rarely cleaned, they are not checked for wood lice. But darkness still reigns there, which, together with the humid air in the kitchen and bathroom, creates "resort conditions" for pests.
Under the window sill
The space under the window sill where it meets the wall is another potential shelter for wood lice. There are always small holes through which woodlice come out in the dark, crawling around the apartment in search of food.
Inside the sewer pipes
A problematic location that is difficult to check for pests. There is always plenty to enjoy and the air is damp and musty.Wood lice can travel through pipes from one apartment to another, remaining unnoticed.
Near the trash can
Garbage cans constantly attract many insects and animals because they accumulate a lot of organic matter. And if animals don't have access to household trash cans, it's hard to stop wood lice. In addition, most housewives install a trash can under the sink, where the humidity is always higher than normal.
Under the baseboards
The space under the baseboard is a favorite place for all insects, and wood lice are no exception. It is enough to form a small gap in the seams - woodlice happily make their way into such a secluded place. In case of insect infestation in your apartment, do not be lazy to check the baseboards.
how to fight
To combat wood lice at home, many methods have been developed, among which the most effective are:
- general cleaning of the premises;
- elimination of leaks in the house;
- control of the condition of flower pots;
- ventilation control;
- get rid of cracks in the building.
spring cleaning
The best way to get rid of insects and bring order to the house is a general cleaning. It eliminates sources of humidity in the room and restricts access to nutrients, including the various biological wastes that accumulate in the room. When cleaning, it will not be superfluous to air the apartment, which will remove excess moisture.
Repair of all appliances from which water flows
A faucet in the kitchen from which it constantly flows, a leaking pipe, a defective cistern, so many sources of additional humidity in the house. When they are eliminated, the air becomes much drier and woodlice are no longer so comfortable to live in an apartment.
Flower pots
The abundance of flowers in the apartment, especially if they are often watered, creates a comfortable living environment for our “landlords”. To avoid this situation, you must pay attention to the maintenance of indoor pots and the soil with which they are filled.
Ventilation
Cleaning the ventilation is a problematic activity, because you cannot go deep into it. However, periodic cleaning of the space in front of the entrance to the ventilation shaft will significantly reduce the risk of wood lice appearing in your house or apartment.
Cracks
The walls and foundations of the building crumble over time and cracks form. Through them, uninvited guests enter the room. To avoid this, it is enough to monitor the condition of the living space, eliminating cracks if they appear. It will not take much time, but it will help to avoid a lot of trouble in the future.
To note! Together, all of the above methods help to maintain a favorable environment in the house, which woodlice and other pests do not like very much.
Fund overview
If conventional methods do not work, special funds come to the rescue. They are formulated to control pests by helping hosts kill parasitic insects. The funds are:
- chemical;
- made independently, based on folk recipes.
Chemical products
Advantages of treating a part with chemical protection means:
- high efficiency;
- high-speed performance;
- ease of use.
Disadvantages:
- contain harmful substances that negatively affect not only wood lice, but also the health of others;
- the price.
If you are a proponent of drastic measures, look at the following drugs.
Insecticidal aerosols
Chemicals sprayed into the air with a spray can. Advantages of use:
- act quickly;
- works well against small insect clusters;
- effective in small spaces.
Defaults:
- the larger the room, the less effective the aerosol.
- one spray may not be enough.
- when processing large rooms, there is a risk of reappearance of wood lice.
Concentrated sprays
Concentrated sprays are more effective than aerosols and are able to clean wood lice even in huge rooms. The dosage is determined by yourself, which increases the effectiveness of the product. The downside is increased toxicity and the need to comply with safety rules. It is strongly advised not to work with concentrates without chemical protection agents.
Insecticidal powders
Insecticidal powders show good results in the fight against insects, having the following advantages:
- ease of use;
- reasonable price;
- Efficiency.
Disadvantages include:
- the principle of using powder. The fact is that it can be poured only around the perimeter of the room or in the place of the greatest concentration of insects, but wood lice move not only along the floor. The ceiling and walls are no less attractive for them, which provides room for maneuver.
Pencils
An improved option, compared to powders, which allows you to apply poison not only on the floor, but also on the walls of the building. It is enough to circle with chalk the intended place of penetration of insects, and the poison will complete the rest of the work. Crayons are easy to use and not as harmful to others as aerosols. If you don't slip it into your mouth and wash your hands after the disinfection measures, you are completely safe.
Sticky insect traps
Traps are well suited for small colonies that have not had time to gain a good foothold in your apartment. Large colonies are less susceptible to these pest control methods, which makes these tools less attractive compared to others. Traps are a good help, combined with a more serious option.
Fumigator
The main targets of fumigators are flying insects that interfere with the owners of the apartment. However, certain medications can help get rid of wood lice. When using them, read the instructions for use carefully and do not engage in amateur activities. Otherwise, your health and that of those around you could suffer.
Traditional methods
If chemistry does not suit you, folk remedies come to the rescue. They are less efficient, but more environmentally friendly. The cost of creating folk remedies is significantly lower, which saves the budget. Among the effective recipes, tested by more than one generation of citizens, there are:
- use of boric acid;
- creation of a preparation based on kvass;
- use of salt;
- birch leaves;
- water and chlorine;
- mixtures of tobacco, pepper and salt;
- effects of temperature on insects.
Each method has its pros and cons, which should be discussed separately.
Liquid composition of kvass
To prepare the medicine you will need:
- 50 grams of powdered bread kvass;
- 200 milliliters of liquid.
Mix the ingredients and pour them into a spray bottle. We determine the place of accumulation of wood lice and spray it with the resulting medicine.
Boric acid
Ingredients for the solution:
- water - a liter;
- boric acid (powder) - 20 grams.
We mix them and process the places where insects appear with the resulting liquid. Repeat the procedure again if necessary.In most cases, one use of a folk remedy is enough.
Mixture of soda, tobacco and pepper
We take a teaspoon of tobacco, pepper and soda. We put a saucepan on the fire and boil a liter of water. As soon as the water boils, add the ingredients and remove from the heat. We insist for a couple of hours, after which we process the places where wood lice accumulate. We mark several scars, after which we rinse the treated areas with water and chlorine.
Salt
There isn't always pepper or tobacco on hand. In this case, ordinary salt, which is in every apartment, will help you. Just sprinkle it on the places with a large build-up of moisture. Salt, due to its properties, absorbs excess moisture, thereby depriving woodlice of a comfortable living environment. Treat all damp areas like this and the woodlice will leave your home on their own.
Remember: a budget tool affects its effectiveness.
Birch brooms
Birch brooms work as sticky traps. Their scent attracts wood lice and they try to climb leaves and branches. It is enough to leave a few brooms in the places where the insects appear during the night and in the morning to destroy them or keep them away from the house.
Potato
Another bait that attracts wood lice from all corners of the apartment. Algorithm of actions:
- peel the potato tuber;
- cut it into equal halves;
- make indentations in the center with a spoon;
- we put potatoes in places where wood lice appear;
- at night they climb into the niche, and it is enough to throw them into the street, far from home.
Lime
Effective treatment agent:
- garage;
- basement room;
- storage rooms.
Pour the quicklime into a bucket and leave it inside for 12 hours. During this period, entry to the premises is prohibited. Keep households and pets out of there.
Water and chlorine
We dilute 20 grams of bleach in 500 milliliters of water. We wipe the floor and walls of the room with the resulting solution.
To note! Wear personal protective equipment when handling the part. It is forbidden to work with chlorine without them.
Exposure to temperature
Under the influence of high temperatures, woodlice quickly die. Just blow on them with a hair dryer on full power and they will start to die. The method is not the most convenient and effective, but in the absence of other alternatives, it can help to cope with the invasion of the "enemy".
Rating of folk remedies for the struggle
Among the popular means aimed at combating wood lice are:
- Tarax;
- Scabengel gel bait;
- Dichlorvos Varan;
- To have;
- Tetrix.
Tarax
Helps eliminate unwanted insects that have occupied your home. Effectively destroys:
- wood lice;
- ants;
- lice or fleas;
- cockroaches.
Has good reviews from buyers.
Scabengel Gel Bait
A German drug, one package of which is enough to treat a two-room apartment. It is produced in the form of gel bait, it is placed in places where pests accumulate. Hide the medicine from children and animals, as it is poisonous.
Dichlorvos new generation Varan
A universal remedy that can effectively destroy small pests in the house. It is easy to use and will cost you a reasonable amount of money. Observe safety precautions when spraying.
To have
Destroys the following insects:
- drawing pins;
- wood lice;
- flies;
- ants;
- lice or fleas;
- wasp
It is sold as a liquid concentrate and does not have a strong smell. The result appears within a week of application.
Tetrix
An expensive professional product. It is used by health services during pest control operations. You can use it yourself in a home environment, but before that you need to study the instructions for use in detail and strictly follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
What you should not do
When woodlice appear, you should not put measures for their destruction on the back burner. The longer the insects remain in the apartment, the more difficult it is to get them out of there.
Problems and difficulties
Difficulties may arise with the timely detection of “landlords”. Woodlice are nocturnal, which allows them to remain unnoticed for a long time.
Prophylaxis
Preventative measures that keep wood lice from appearing in the home include:
- elimination of leaks in the house;
- systematic room ventilation.
Also consider:
- do not overload the bins by emptying them at the last moment;
- do not flood the flowers with water;
- periodically clean the ventilation openings. If possible, replace the old mesh with a new fine-mesh one.
And if you reappear
If you cannot eliminate wood lice yourself and they reappear, contact a specialist. They will identify the sources of occurrence of woodlice, reliably eliminate them and give practical advice on preventing the reappearance of the threat. Yes, it costs money, but after the work of professional exterminators, you can forget about annoying insects with 100% certainty.