Unless you are someone that finds bugs and insects to be interesting you probably won’t be too happy to find them hanging out in your basement. But the fact is, nearly all basements have bugs of some kind. The key is recognizing which ones are helpful and which ones you should work to get rid of.

Some bugs actually help to keep infestations at a minimum, while others signify a real problem. Understanding why bugs have beelined for your basement and having some ideas of how to get rid of them can actually help you to face those creepy crawlies face on, and get them out of your home!

Did you know? At Halton Wildlife we’re more than wildlife removal pros. We help get rid of bug problems including spiders, silverfish and centipedes. We also give advice on how to prevent them from coming back – the conditions they like, and don’t like!

Why they like your basement

Like many other pests and rodents, bugs are drawn to cool, dark and moist places that have a steady food supply. Most basements are perfect for this! The cool, damp atmosphere provides a safe space to hide and a likely endless supply of other bugs to snack on.

Even if you don’t see any bugs in your basement, they’re likely still there. Most bugs tend to retreat and hide as soon as the light comes on so there’s a good chance you might not see them. One sure sign of bugs in your basement though is if you notice spiders hanging out. Spiders will build webs wherever they find a steady food supply.

Bugs in your basement

Spiders

Most spiders around Toronto don’t pose any significant health threat to humans, so they’re relatively harmless guests in your basement. In fact, they can actually help keep other pest infestations under control since they like to eat most other bugs that they find.

Centipedes

These creepy crawlies also like to prey on other bugs so while they’re unappealing, they can actually help keep other bug infestations at bay. That doesn’t mean you have to live with them though! If you notice that you have some centipedes in your basement you can step up your cleaning game to reduce their food source before resorting to some more serious measures.

Cockroaches

More likely to be found in dark and damp places like in sewers and outside in piles of leaves and stones, cockroaches are typically thought of as pretty unappealing. If you find cockroaches in your basement there’s probably a problem with sanitation or moisture somewhere. If you find cockroaches in your basement you should examine entrance points like floor drains and utility pipes for an excess of moisture.

Cockroaches have a pretty unpleasant appearance, as well as some serious health concerns. They can spread dozens of different kinds of bacteria and have been known to cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks, especially with kids. Because of this, a cockroach infestation is something you have to deal with quickly.

Earwigs

These small insects have large pincers that can make them look quite ominous to anyone that comes across them. Though they aren’t likely to actually get into your ear, they probably aren’t bugs you want to share your home with.

Top ways to get rid of bugs in your basement:

  • Seal up any possible entrance points like cracks around windows, cracks in the foundation and walls or any cracks around doorways using caulk
  • Reduce clutter
  • Reduce the moisture level of your home by installing a dehumidifier
  • Cover floor drains
  • Repair any leaky pipes and faucets and insulate and pipes the condensate excessively to reduce moisture
  • Vacuum and sweep regularly, paying special attention to dark corners and behind shelves
  • Seal any food that you keep in the basement
  • Make sure any water in your yard drains away from your house. This helps to reduce the chance of water leaking into your basement and causing moisture issues
  • Set up sticky traps to help control bugs in your basement
  • Bugs in your basement

    Though there are many measures you can take to help decrease the bug population in your basement, it’s likely that you’ll never be able to get rid of them completely. Take the steps mentioned above to help make your basement less appealing to these pests and you should be well on your way to bug-free living! If you do end up with an infestation that seems to be more than you want to handle on your own, you can always call a professional to give you a hand.