Preventing and Eliminating a Basement Insect Problem 

Finished basement with pool table

Basements are meant to be extensions of your home. Whether your basement is a home office, home gym, or your own relaxing theater, you deserve to enjoy the space without unwanted company. It’s possible to create a bug-proof basement or reclaim your space from insects. We have a few tips for kicking them out of your basement for good.

Why Do Some Insects Like Basements?

Bugs that love living in basements thrive in spaces that are dark, out of sight, and damp. The dark allows them to avoid predators when they search for food, which is often at night. They hide in crevices, which is why homeowners are less likely to spot signs of pest infestations until it’s too late—especially in unfinished basements. Damp basements are a haven for mold, which is a favorite of many bugs. Humid spaces can also produce more bacteria and soften organic materials that are staples of the insect diet, like dust, dead skin, and hair.

Luckily, you can make your basement less appealing—and less accessible—to insects.

Prevention: How to Keep Bugs Out of the Basement and Crawl Space

  • In the middle of the day, turn off the lights in your basement and look around. If you can see any natural daylight coming through walls and other areas, these are the most likely entry points for bugs. Look for signs of cracked seals, gaps, or crevices around windows, doors, or external vents.
  • Next, walk the exterior of your home and look for signs of cracks or gaps outside. Pay close attention to laundry exhaust vents and basement windows.
  • Indoors and out, fill the gaps you discovered with steel wool or caulk to prevent bugs from using these crevices to enter your home.
  • Outdoors, consider rethinking your landscaping to remove plants growing within 2 feet of your home. This can reduce the number of insects frequenting your exterior walls, looking for food, and happening upon a point of entry.

Elimination: How to Get Rid of Bugs in Your Basement

If bugs are already in your basement, it may take a combination of cleaning, house upgrades, and professional pest removal to clear invaders from your home.

  • Deep clean. Both as a preventative and removal method, consistent cleaning removes potential food sources like dust, reduces the number of hiding places available to bugs, and increases the odds that you’ll spot a nest.
  • Use vinegar water. In a spray bottle, combine a mixture of approximately 3 to 1 water and vinegar. Spray the basement liberally, focusing on potential entry points to prevent bugs from trying to go out or come in.
  • Try a dehumidifier. If your basement is damp, it’s far too appealing to insects.
  • Contact Mosquito Joe. Working with a professional pest control company can eliminate outdoor populations of basement-loving pests as well as mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. We can apply a perimeter treatment around your foundation or complete a barrier spray treatment on your whole yard. Call our experts at 1-855-275-2563 or request a quote today!

Common Basement Bugs

The types of insects found in basements vary by location and climate. Some of the most common basement bugs include:

  • Spiders like Brown Recluses
  • Pillbugs (also known as rolly-pollies),
  • Centipedes (also known as the basement bugs with lots of legs that you’re tired of finding)
  • Cockroaches
  • Silverfish
  • Termites
  • Earwigs

Knowing what creatures you’re looking to remove can help you continue your research to get rid of basement insects once and for all.

Enjoy Your Basement Again

By cleaning regularly, addressing infestations immediately, and working with trusted pest control experts like Mosquito Joe, you can reclaim your basement without worry. For more helpful tips on how to deal with common pests, check out our Learning Center. And to make the outdoors fun again, give us a call at 855-275-2563 to request an estimate for services.

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