4 Surprising Bugs You May Find in Your Basement

Do you cringe at the thought of having to go down into the basement? Over the years, basements have gotten a bad rap for being extremely spooky and icky. It seems like every time you watch a scene where someone is walking down into the basement, something bad is about to happen, and then there are the bugs.

It’s not uncommon to see the creepy crawlers squirm around when the basement light turns on and it’s not uncommon to want to run back upstairs.

Here are 4 bugs you may find in your basement the next time you venture down to grab a box.

Why Are Bugs in My Basement?

There are a few reasons why some bugs are attracted to your basement. Basements usually provide:

• High moisture
• Darkness
• Food
• Hiding places

What Are the Bugs in My Basement?

There is no doubt that you can identify the spiders or roaches or ants that may be lurking in your basement. However, there are some bugs that you may not be able to identify as quickly.

Silverfish

Silverfish love the darkness and dampness of your basement. They are named based on their appearance. They are silver in color and tend to move like they are swimming. However, silverfish look more like shrimp than fish.

Silverfish are tiny in size and can squeeze through tiny cracks to gain access into your home. Once there, they search out starchy products to eat such as paper, carpeting, and cotton clothing. If silverfish go unnoticed they can destroy clothing you have put away or paper keepsakes that you keep in the basement.

Centipede

A centipede is one insect you won’t forget seeing. They are long slender creatures with hundreds of legs. Since they are nocturnal and known to be fast-moving, they are rarely seen by humans.

“Do they bite?” “Do they sting?” “Are they poisonous?” These are three common questions people ask when they discover centipedes in their home. Although it is very rare, a centipede can bite. The good news is that their venom is not poisonous and only causes mild irritation such as a slight sting, redness, and mild itching.

Pillbugs

Pillbugs, or rollie pollies, are small black bugs that curl up into a tiny ball when held. These bugs may not send shivers up your spine, but it’s not good to keep them in your home. Like many of the bugs mentioned, pillbugs are nocturnal creatures that enjoy hiding in dark damp places. They are mostly found in vegetable gardens and enjoy eating decaying plant matter. Once inside your home, most pillbugs will dry up and die. However, if your basement has a humidity issue or there are leaks, pillbugs can survive.

Earwigs

The appearance of these quick moving nocturnal insects can send you quicking running in the opposite direction. They are reddish-brown in appearance, about two inches in length, and have a large pincher on their back abdomen. Earwigs do look like they could hurt you, but they are completely harmless to humans. In fact, the saying that earwigs like to crawl into your ears at night is completely false.

Like many other basement dwellers, earwigs like dark, damp, and cool places to hideout. And if you have a few dead plants in your basement, you may be feeding them without even knowing it. They also like to dine on other insects.

How Do I Get Rid of the Bugs in My Basement?

Lower the humidity – Most of the bugs mentioned above are attracted to your basement because it is the most humid place in your home. You can use tools such as a dehumidifier or a heater to help dry up the basement. You will also need to check around your pipes and faucets to make sure that there are no leaks.

Seal it up – If your basement has windows or doors that go to the outside, make sure they are sealed properly. It’s also a good idea to inspect your basement foundation and walls for any cracks. If there are wires that lead from the outside to the inside of your basement, make sure that the area surrounding the hole is properly caulked in order to keep bugs out.

Clean it up – Basements are a great place to store things you don’t need on a regular basis. However, it is very important that you keep your items cleaned and organized. A cluttered basement provides ample hiding places for many insects and rodents. Take your cleaning up a notch and use the vacuum cleaner to get into all the nooks and crannies.

Let Hopper Termite & Pest Handle the Dirty Work

At Hopper Termite & Pest, Inc., we understand bugs and know that sometimes it takes going into a damp dark basement to take care of your pest problem. Give us a call today at (870)425-4122 to schedule your FREE PEST EVALUATION.

And remember, Hopper Termite & Pest, Inc. has two central offices, in Mountain Home and Springdale, to better serve the residents and businesses of north central Arkansas, northwestern Arkansas, and parts of southern Missouri. Let us show you why we are the go-to pest control and termite control specialists in the area.