What are the bugs in my basement?

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Why Insects and Bugs are Attracted to the Basement
The two main aspects that make basements a pest haven are moisture and darkness. Camel crickets, millipedes, sowbugs and pillbugs have high moisture needs, which is why they are attracted to basements.



Just so, how do I get rid of bugs in my basement?

A few good methods for getting rid of basement bugs incude:

  1. Set up sticky traps.
  2. Learn about the bugs in your basement so you can feel more at home with them.
  3. Encapsulate your crawlspace.
  4. Install a dehumidifier.
  5. Use a bug fogger.
  6. Get rid of clutter.
  7. Use a peppermint oil spray.

Likewise, what are the tiny black bugs in my basement? Mold mites, which include cheese, flour, and grain mites. They can infest stored food and grain. They feed on molds and are common only where mold and fungi can flourish. This means in areas of high humidity such as crawl spaces and basements.

Furthermore, what kind of bugs live in basements?

Some common pests found in basements include spiders, ants, termites, roaches, crickets, mice, rodents, and bats. Below are some ways to get rid of these creatures and more in your home, with prevention being one of the best and most important steps to keep in mind.

How do I get rid of spiders in my basement?

7 Methods that Keep Spiders Out of the Basement

  1. 1 Let A Pro Handle It.
  2. 2 Seal cracks and other small openings.
  3. 3 Get rid of other pests.
  4. 4 Get rid of the clutter.
  5. 5 Use a peppermint oil spray.
  6. 6 Spray lemon oil.
  7. 7 Don't stack wood inside.
  8. 8 Eliminate attractants.

32 Related Question Answers Found

Why are there so many bugs in my basement?

Why Insects and Bugs are Attracted to the Basement
The two main aspects that make basements a pest haven are moisture and darkness. Camel crickets, millipedes, sowbugs and pillbugs have high moisture needs, which is why they are attracted to basements.

Does a dehumidifier help get rid of bugs?

Lo and behold, they find it – your house! Before you break out the insecticide, there is one good way to combat fall insects in your basement or crawlspace – a good dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air, and dry conditions can drive insects out to seek better accommodations.

Can bed bugs live in your basement?

Don't move infested furniture around the home
If you know an item is infested with bed bugs, don't just stick in the basement and hope the parasites die. The goal is to stop the spread of the bed bugs, not just move it from room to room.

What are the tiny black bugs in my house?

Carpet beetles
Carpet beetles also are known as little black beetles and are most common around house carpet. They feed on cloth fiber, pet foods, or cereals. It's somehow hard to notice these insects due to their slow reproductive nature, but you will find them in most homes.

How do I bug proof my house?


Inside Your Home
  1. Screen all openings.
  2. Install door sweeps or thresholds at the base of all exterior entry doors.
  3. Door seals.
  4. Fill cracks.
  5. All outside doors should be self-closing.
  6. Seal all utility openings.
  7. Repair leaky piping.
  8. Install wire mesh.

How do I get rid of water bugs in my basement?

6 Quick Ways to Get Rid of Waterbugs in the House
  1. Kill the Waterbugs with Gel Baits. Cockroach gel baits are very effective at eliminating most species of cockroaches, including the waterbugs.
  2. Use Boric Acid as Bait.
  3. Build a Barrier with Diatomaceous Earth.
  4. Block All Roach Entrance Points.
  5. Make Your House Spotlessly Clean.
  6. Eliminate Indoor Damp Areas.

How do I get rid of moisture in my basement?

Get Rid of Excess Humidity
Add a vent fan to your basement bathroom and make sure your family turns it on during showers. Keep your basement windows closed during humid weather. And if you're still getting condensation on cool surfaces, run a dehumidifier to lower the indoor humidity.

Why are there flies in my basement?

Carcasses. One possible reason for dead flies in a basement is the presence of a larger carcass. Flies such as blowflies, bluebottles and green bottles will search out dead and decaying animals for food and for breeding purposes. Inspect the basement for dead animals, especially between pipes and behind any drywall.

How do you get rid of humidity bugs?

Psocid/Book Lice Control
  1. Reduce their food supply by cleaning with enzymes and/or borax, then keeping the areas clean and free of molds and mildew.
  2. Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner in the infested or potentially infestation areas to reduce moisture to below 50%.
  3. Dispose of all moldy articles.

How do I identify a bug?


One of the best ways to make sure you have an insect (and not a spider or other small creature) is to look at the legs. Insects have six, jointed legs that arise from the thorax (the “chest”). Many insects have wings, although many are wingless.

Why do you get silverfish?

When rain water gets into places it shouldn't, it can cause mold, mildew, fungi, algae, and other things to grow. These natural organisms can soften wood and make it more susceptible to bugs and rodents. When gaps are formed, and areas are chewed, it gives access to moisture pests, like silverfish.

What kind of bugs can infest your home?

Click through and learn how to send some of the most common household bugs packing.
  • Dust Mites. 1/10. Unpleasant though they may be, every house has dust mites.
  • Weevils. 2/10.
  • Carpet Beetles. 3/10.
  • Centipedes. 4/10.
  • Fruit Flies. 5/10.
  • Stinkbugs. 6/10.
  • Ants. 7/10.
  • Cockroaches. 8/10.

Should I seal my basement floor?

You should always seal concrete with a moisture barrier primer sealer or paint. Use low VOC or non VOC if possible. Any store should carry low voc concrete sealer. Use a clear coat to ensure lower voc's than stains.

How do you get rid of little red bugs?

How to Get Rid of the Little Red Spider Mites on Concrete
  1. Plain Water. Spray the clover mites off the concrete and surrounding plants with a strong spray from a garden hose.
  2. Insecticidal Soap. Spray the plants and concrete with insecticidal soap to smother the clover mites if water doesn't seem to get rid of them.
  3. Insecticidal Soap Precautions.
  4. Prevent Future Infestations.

How do you stop bugs from coming up the drain?


How to help prevent cockroaches from infesting your drains
  1. Move or remove the garbage cans. The garbage cans under your kitchen or bathroom sink can attract roaches.
  2. Cover drains with a stopper at night. You can use rubber drain covers or metal drain screens.
  3. Clean your kitchen drain.
  4. Keep counters and appliances clean.

Do you need a door to the basement?

However, if your basement has habitable, finished rooms, building codes require it to have egress windows, or other means of egress (patio door, etc.). If it's under a porch or deck, there must be at least 36 inches between the top of the window and the bottom of the structure joists.

What causes water bugs?

Waterbugs are attracted to damp, moist areas, and they are also very attracted to old food and garbage. In other words, if you're noticing waterbugs in your home, that's probably an alarm that you aren't cleaning enough.