Woodlice in the house can be nasty! No one wants these little critters near their food or even worse, their beds. But it’s actually fairly common for woodlice to make their way into your home, especially in the summer. Studies have found woodlice to peak in abundance in warmer seasons when soil temperature is high.[1]
They won’t be harmful to your health but you will still probably want to avoid having to deal with an infestation. Here’s everything you need to know on getting rid of woodlice from your home once and for all.
What do woodlice eat?
Woodlice tend to feed off decomposing plants and fungi, such as compost or leaves by a drain.[2] It is worth regularly cutting and removing dying leaves and minimising the number of plants to avoid a woodlice infestation. These invertebrate pests don't usually eat freshly planted flowers. However, they can also eat paper, including wallpaper.
Avoid the build up of woodlice-attracting damp in the bathroom by regularly cleaning tiles with a bleach solution like Domestos.
You will need:
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How to get rid of woodlice in your home
There are a few key things to do to get rid of woodlice if you keep finding them in your home.
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1
Vacuum them up
This is the simplest way to deal with a woodlice invasion and the first stage to getting rid of them in your home. Be sure to empty your vacuum bag and dispose of it as soon as you have completed this step.
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2
Anti-insect spray
Use an anti-insect spray in the areas where you are finding the woodlice. There are lots of these on the market, some are more toxic than others so be careful if you have children, pets or vulnerable adults around the house. We suggest creating a natural anti-insect spray containing vinegar and citronella—like what we shared in our article about getting rid of midges in the house. We suggest creating a natural anti-insect spray containing vinegar and citronella—like what we shared in our article about getting rid of midges in the house.
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3
Seal up the holes
Now that you have gotten rid of the visible woodlice, be sure to minimise the risk of them returning. Small holes in skirting boards, gaps in doors and other areas can help woodlice access your home. This is most likely where they are coming from.
Closing off their entrance will force them to leave your home and find somewhere else. Use sealants to close up holes where you can, especially in bathrooms and kitchens. Performing this step can also be a great way to deal with insect invaders.
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Try an electronic pulsing device
There are relatively inexpensive machines out there that can help. Electronic pulsing devices emit a high-frequency pulsing signal that repels all sorts of pests. For example, a PNAS study found that implementing synthetic ultrasounds in a farm can repel certain insects in a farm.[3] So, if you want to know how to get rid of woodlice in the home naturally and without using insecticide, look into such a device.
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How to prevent a woodlice infestation
Now you know the tricks to getting rid of woodlice, it’s also important to be aware of preventing them so that they never come back. There are a few basic things you can do to woodlice-proof your home.
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1
Make your house as woodlice-unfriendly as you can
This involves checking for any places that might feel like home to them. Woodlice particularly like moist environments. So, check there is no rotting wood in your home (think shelves in the bathroom or wooden furniture in the conservatory).
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2
Check for damp walls
Damp walls also attract woodlice. Check the walls for damp or mould and mildew, and deal with it immediately. This could explain why you find a woodlice infestation in one particular area of your home.
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3
Keep plants and weeds away from doors
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.
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4
Clean your roof gutter
This is an easy one to miss. But be sure to make sure you clean your roof gutter thoroughly. If it's not draining properly, this could be creating excess moisture which will attract the little guys in.
Quick tip: Check out our article on how to remove moss off the roof to avoid creating a breeding ground for woodlice.
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Frequently asked questions about getting rid of woodlice in the home
Q. How do you get rid of woodlice in the home naturally?
You can try creating salt barriers across openings. Doing so will cause dehydration among the woodlice.
Q. How do you rid of woodlice in the shed?
To get rid of woodlice in the shed, there are several effective methods you can try. Start by decluttering the shed and removing any damp or decaying materials that attract woodlice. Seal any cracks or gaps in the shed walls to prevent their entry. Apply a residual insecticide spray around the perimeter of the shed and on any potential entry points. Use a dehumidifier or improve ventilation to reduce moisture levels.
Consider using natural repellents like diatomaceous earth or cedarwood chips to deter woodlice. Regularly clean and vacuum the shed to remove any remaining woodlice.
Q. Is baking soda good for pest control?
People often confuse baking soda with diatomaceous earth because they are both white powders. However, there is no scientific evidence that proves baking soda is effective for pest control.
Q. How long can woodlice live?
Woodlice can live for around three to four years. So, it is essential to get rid of them as soon as you see the first signs of infestation.
These are the key things you need to know when it comes to both getting woodlice out of your house and keeping them out. We're also here to help with getting rid of bugs such as spiders and ants.
References:
1. Carpenter, D., Sherlock, E., Inward, K., Carroway, K., Lidgett, A., & Eggleton, P. (2020). Sharing the burden? Earthworms and woodlice show seasonal complementarity in peak abundances in soil in an oak-beech temperate woodland. bioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.11.13.381863
2. Haynes, R. (2014). Nature of the Belowground Ecosystem and Its Development during Pedogenesis. In Advances in Agronomy (pp. 43–109). https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-800131-8.00002-9
3. Nakano, R., Ito, A., & Tokumaru, S. (2022). Sustainable pest control inspired by prey–predator ultrasound interactions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 119(43). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2211007119
