Woodlice are small, harmless little bug-like creatures that commonly invade your UK home through the dampest times of the year. Seeing one or two slowly making their way across a floor may not be cause for concern, but if they turn up on a regular basis or come bunching into your home in droves, there could be a much larger problem at hand — usually something to do with moisture or lack of air circulation. Once they show up within the four walls of your house, it can be a telltale sign that you’ve got issues/ damp walls, unseen leakages or it may lead to rotten wood, something that pulls these moisture-loving pests like a magnet. That is why you need to pay attention to them especially if you keep seeing them. To help you take action, we have created a complete guide with everything you need to know — including how woodlice get in your home, what attracts them there and the methods to prevent and remove them from your home for a pest-free, healthy home the entire year.
What Exactly Are Woodlice?
In the United States, they’re commonly called “Pill Bugs” while in New Zealand they are very commonly called “Slaters.” But woodlice are crustaceans, my dear Watson — not insects. Cloaked in a hardened exoskeleton with grey or brown colouration, they can grow up to 15mm in length. Each has two long antennae and 14 legs to help them scuttle quickly in moist areas.
Although they look like some type of bugs, woodlice are more closely related to shrimp and crabs, and woodlice are essential to decomposing materials in nature.
What To Do About Woodlice Entering Your Home
Although woodlice mostly live outside in compost heaps, under stones, or in wet leaves, they sometimes enter your house by mistake. But sometimes, their presence can indicate a more serious problem — namely dampness or bad ventilation.
Woodlice love moisture. Any water leaks and warm bathrooms, blocked gutters, and wet timber in your house makes it a heaven for them. Insects will come for food, but woodlice come for the moisture.
Guiding to Trip the Indoor Infestation
You might not even notice a few woodlice, but a growing infestation can manifest itself in one of several ways:
- Commonly observed in dark, humid locations such as basements, bathrooms, or underneath sinks
- Flocks of clusters sticking around window sills or door frames
- Scratch on wooden objects or floor especially in wet place
- Woodlice on upper floors or attics Apparently only unexpected activity of woodlice — horticulturists also use an explanation: a warning sign of hidden moisture or a rejection of gutter problems.
They do not bite, nor do they sting, however, when present in large numbers, their presence is somewhat alarming, and if left untreated, intervention is required.
Are They Harmful to Your House or Health?
The good news? Woodlice cause no harm to humans and pets alike. They do not spread germs, do not infest food, and do not bite at all. The bad news? They can do some real harm to damp wooden furniture, skirting boards or paper goods, as their attraction to decaying organic material and moisture often leads them to do so.
They might not hurt you directly, but their presence is a sign that you need to worry about — something like infestation, damp, or leakage.
How to Get Rid of Woodlice in Your House, Step by Step
How you deal with a woodlice problem will depend on how severe it is. Here’s what you can do:
Manual Removal
When guests drop by from time to time, a vacuum gets the job done. Just take and throw them out, dumping very far from the foundations of your home.
Dry Out the Space
Woodlice live in a humid environment. Devices such as dehumidifiers and exhaust fans along with more air circulation can help your house dry up and become less welcoming to bugs.
Seal Their Entry Points
Cracks around doors, windows, or baseboards can be filled with silicone caulk. Examine for gaps about pipes, utility cables, and also the roofline or vents.
Clean Regularly
Clear out any debris, expired cardboard, rotting wood, or damp items that may be present in your storage areas. These would be the ideal breeding grounds.
Use Natural Deterrents
Sprinkle some diatomaceous earth or scatter some citrus peels by high-traffic entryways. Now, these are not instant-kill natural remedies for woodlice but they will make your indoor environment uninviting for them.
Call in the Experts
If you see many woodlice — particularly in dryer locations — request a local pest control company. They can locate concealed damp areas and apply expert-level removal methods.
The Long-Term Solution for Woodlice Prevention
The long-term answer to preventing woodlice from being a tricky task is the elimination of humidity within as well as around your home. The main thing that causes woodlice to move indoors is dampness, so if you get that sorted it should prevent any further problems. This is how to do it the right way:
🔧 Repair Leaks:
Water leaks from pipes underneath sinks, behind walls, or from your roof can create damp areas providing an open invitation to a woodlice party. Repair any visible leaks in the plumbing or roof immediately, and if you think there are hidden problems, arrange for a professional moisture test.
💨 Ensure Good Airflow:
Condensation — a leading source of indoor moisture — is encouraged by poor ventilation. Keep areas that may be humid like bathrooms, kitchens, and attics properly ventilated. If necessary, use extractor fans, air bricks or vent windows on a regular basis.
🧹 Check and Clean Guttering:
When your gutters are overflowing or blocked rainwater will overflow and run into the foundations of your home or from the exterior walls of the home. Especially before the rainy seasons arrive, keep gutters and downpipes clean to ensure that water can drain away freely.
🧱 Improve Insulation:
In colder months, condensation can run down your walls or make the ceilings and windows wet when your insulation is suffering. There can be too much moisture which causes mould to grow — and this is exactly what woodlice like. Insulation: Do this in places where heat escapes easily, such as lofts, crawl spaces or basements. You can make use of moisture barriers also.
🌬️ Keep Dehumidifiers If Necessary:
Dehumidifiers are especially useful in moist homes or in older houses. They aid in absorbing any excess moisture from the air, thus creating a less enticing space for woodlice to occupy, as well as other bugs that need lots of humidity.
By controlling moisture on a constant basis, not only do you avert the risk of a woodlice infestation, but you also shield your home from the wider threats of damp damage, including the growth of mould, wood rot and poor air quality.
Choosing the Right Help
And when the DIY measures fail to resolve the issue, availing the services of the pest control experts ensure that the problem is not only resolved with utmost efficacy but also doesn’t happen again. Opt for services that provide aqua dry surveys too, as dampness control is the key to lasting results.
Clearing Up Confusion (FAQs)
How long do woodlice live?
Woodlice have a lifespan of about two years, but some species live as long as four years, provided that the conditions are perfect and damp.
Are woodlice insects?
Hint: Woodlice are crustaceans — that’s right, more closely related to crabs than insects! Which is why they need hydration to be able to continue living.
What do woodlice eat?
Woodlice will eat decomposing organic material such as dead leaves, rotting wood, mould and mildew. They can be found indoors munching on wet cardboard or rotting wood.
Can woodlice damage my home?
Although not quite as destructive as termites, woodlice are able to chew on damp wood and paper. Their presence is often a clear sign of moisture damage effects.
What can I do to prevent woodlice from entering?
Make sure that your house is sealed, has good ventilation, and dry. Avoid indoor leaks and clean the gutters and do not bring organic wet material into the garage
In Closing: Don’t Be Wet & Let In Pests
Woodlice are more of a nuisance than a danger, but their presence indoors usually means that there is a hidden moisture problem. And it is not so much the creatures that are the problem, but what attracts them.
Using a combination of prevention, detection, managing the environment, and seeking professional assistance, will keep your house dry, healthy, and woodlice-free all year round.
For more insights and expert advice, keep an eye on Homify Magazine. Stay inspired, stay informed!