How to get rid of wood lice in an apartment: 26 ways

No hostess will be delighted by uninvited guests. One of the most undesirable "tenants" many call wood lice. Small creatures feel great in nature, but if they were lucky enough to get into an apartment, they will not strongly resist. Why creatures? Because wood lice are not bugs, not bedbugs, in general, not insects, they are crustacean arthropods from the family of isopods. Well, not handsome, but they are related to lobsters, crayfish and crabs.

The creature’s name alone - wood lice - speaks for itself: it’s immediately clear that the favorite habitat is places with high humidity. Small pests appear unnoticed in the apartment, as they prefer to hide in secluded dark corners, and go out in search of food - at dusk.

Are they dangerous to humans? They do not pose a direct threat, because they do not bite people or animals, and do not live on them. However, wood lice come to the apartment from the street, from the basements, sewers, together with the "sick" land for indoor plants, etc. Accordingly, they can bring on some kind of infection: lichen, fungus, etc. In addition, creatures, to put it mildly, are unattractive, and when there are a lot of them, they simply cause disgust and the desire to quickly get rid of them.

We will try to talk about all the ways how to get rid of wood lice in the apartment.

Types of woodlice

In general, there are several thousand species of wood lice (3500-5000 according to various sources).

In the home are usually found:

• Woodlouse ordinary-armadillo (Armadillidium vulgare). It is easy to recognize by its high shell of dark color. The crustaceans prefer raw cellars and cellars, so they are not very common in houses and apartments, but anything can be. With a possible threat, the creature instantly turns into a glomerulus.
• Rough wood louse (Porsellio scaber). This is a fairly famous "traveler" in apartments. Characteristic features of representatives of this species:

1. The shell has a reddish tint.
2. 7 pairs of legs allow tiny creatures to move very quickly.
3. They do not know how to fold into a ball.

Do not confuse wood lice with silverfish (an insect of silver-gray color, with a flat body that tapers towards the tail) and with flycatchers (they have a huge number of legs). In woodlice, the body is larger (up to 20 mm), thick, oval, consists of segments

Interestingly, crustaceans enter the apartment:

• Together with the land typed in the park for transplanting indoor flora.
• With soil contaminated root crops purchased on the market.
• From attics or basements.
• Of sewer pipes.
• By ventilation ducts.
• From neighbors who are so comfortable that small pests multiplied in huge numbers and decided to develop new territories.

Woodlice are not picky about food. They will gladly absorb rotten vegetables, leaves of indoor plants, can get to the roots, do not disdain food leftovers sent to the bin, crumbs, leftovers on plates in the sink, pet food, etc. If very tight with food, crustaceans will be happy to argue moldthat appeared in the bathroom due to high humidity

The reasons for the appearance and habitat in the apartment

So, we know: for wood lice to appear in the apartment, the presence of increased humidity (dampness) is necessary, which will be an ideal factor for the existence and reproduction of small creatures. Perhaps in nature these representatives of the fauna feel more comfortable than in a space bounded by walls, but, once in human housing, they choose:

• Bathroom or toilet room.
• Pantries.
• The kitchen, especially the places under the sink.
• Air shafts and ducts.

What lures attract there? Now we will understand, because the reasons can be very different:

• In the kitchen are leftover food that has already begun to rot in the bin.
• Stagnant water in buckets, bowls or other containers.
• Leaking toilet and wet rags on the floor.
• Wet clothes that are stored in the bathroom for too long.
• Excessive watering of indoor flowers, leading to stagnation of water and the appearance of a musty smell.
• Vegetables and fruits stored in a closet or on the balcony.
• The dirty dark corners of the rooms.
• Damp walls, ceilings, or floors.
• Old cramped books, etc.

If the apartment does not have the required level of humidity, wood lice are not interested in it, and they continue on their way in search of a more comfortable home for themselves. Controlled dryness of the room and regular airing prevent crustaceans from breathing “full breasts”, and even more so reproduce

Features of wood lice

Small nimble wood lice are sometimes called miniature brontosaurs and are compared to tiny armadillos. The crustaceans have a 7-plate chitin shell, they have 2 pairs of whiskers and 7 pairs of limbs, and also:

• These are the only representatives of crustaceans who did not completely abandon the water element, but chose a land existence.
• If living conditions worsen, they can hibernate, and the duration of such suspended animation is up to 9 months.
• Reproduction takes place not only through fertilization, but also “without dad” - parthenogenetically.
• Land crustaceans have breathing bags and so-called land gills. Arthropods absorb oxygen from the thinnest film of moisture, which moistens these gills.
• Because they are not insects, the use of insecticides is not always advisablebecause the action of the active substance is very limited. Therefore, it is necessary to use either very strong drugs, or supplement them, supplement them with other means, or carry out processing several times.

If at least one wood louse has appeared in the apartment, one must immediately begin to act:

• Make sure that there are no leaks in the water supply and sewage systems.
• In every possible way, try to minimize the increased humidity.
• Quickly close the existing cracks and cracks in the walls and ceiling, remove the gaps around the risers of communication pipes (to help - polyurethane foam).

Ways to deal with wood lice

When choosing the most optimal way to expel and destroy woodlice, each housewife takes into account a number of points: the size of a particular apartment, the number of woodlice and the reasons for their appearance, habitat, etc. Each of them also understands that it is unlikely that they can easily and quickly get rid of wood lice. Here you need to be patient and act comprehensively, gradually moving to the complete extermination of pests:

• Create conditions completely unsuitable for the existence of crustaceans.
• Block all possible paths and loopholes that could bring wood lice to the house.
• Get rid of all the creatures that occupied the apartment in the most effective ways (you can use several - active and preventive or reinforcing, as well as prolonging the effect of the first).
• Be sure to try to destroy the pests in the heart of their colony, breeding places (usually in the basement or in the attic).

Folk remedies

Many people are adopting just the popular ways of dealing with uninvited "guests." And not just like that. After all, they are time-tested, affordable, safe for people and most importantly - they are effective. Here is some of them.

No. 1. Boric acid (in different versions)

Boric acid, which can be purchased without problems at any pharmacy, is a white powder and is one of the most effective means for destroying wood lice. You can use the product in dry form, and in solution, and in a mixture.

1. Sprinkle dry powder all skirting boards and in the corners of the rooms.
2. Prepare a solution: dilute 10 g of acid in 10 l of water. The resulting composition for 2-5 days, it is good to wipe the surface in places of dislocation of crustaceans.
3. Roll small balls from a mixture of boric acid, semolina and egg yolks, or boric acid, flour and table salt. Spread killer baits in places of the greatest concentration of wood lice.

No. 2. Kvass

Dry kvass must be dissolved in hot water (boiling water) in a ratio of 1: 5. In the toilet, bathroom, in the corners and shelves spray the solution, leave for 8-10 hours with closed doors and windows. When time runs out - carry out wet cleaning.

No. 3. Bleach

A bleach solution is made at the rate of 50 g of the product per 1 liter of water. They process all surfaces that are in doubt, including vertical ones.

Number 4. Vinegar

Vinegar, dissolved in water, is not liked not only by many insects, but also by wood lice. The liquid mixture applied in the places of their residence scares away the small tenants with their smell and makes them leave the previously conquered territories.

No. 5. Alum

100 g of alum is dissolved in 0.5 l of water and used to kill pests. For the action of a homemade drug, it is enough to apply it in the habitats of arthropods.

No. 6. Mustard with soda

1. Mix soda and mustard powder. Dilute the resulting mass in water and treat the skirting boards, floors, walls. The mixture can be used in a dry form - just sprinkle on the problem area, and the effect of the composition on wood lice additionally placed in different places, small plates with gruel from soda with mustard will strengthen.
2. Mix 20 g of mustard powder with 2 liters of water and let it brew for a day. The product is applied under the sink, wash, a bath and toiletand also slurry over the earth in which the indoor flora grows.

Number 7. A mixture of pepper, tobacco and soda

Prepare a mixture of tobacco, red pepper and soda (salt), taking all ingredients of 3 g. Dissolve the resulting composition in 1 liter of water. Using a spray gun, spray the solution in the places of the greatest accumulation of wood lice, stand for several hours, and then treat the surface with a chlorine-containing agent.

Number 8. Red pepper (hot)

Grind 100 g of pepper in a meat grinder, add 1 liter of cold water to the pulp and set to infuse for 10 days. Then dilute the infusion with plain water at the rate of 1/100 to treat plants from woodlice.

No. 9. Garlic

Grind 100 g of peeled garlic, add 2 l of water (cold) and leave for 10 days. The infusion, which turned out, is processed by plants that have become food for wood lice, and the places of their accumulation.

No. 10. Hellebore, wormwood and hogweed

Our grandmothers and great-grandmothers also destroyed woodlice with these plants (dry, fresh, their infusions). It is necessary to work with folk poisons very carefully so as not to suffer in the process themselves.

No. 11. Essential oils

Oils of plants such as eucalyptus, citronella or peppermint are applied in places where moisture is most present or collected.It is enough to drop a few drops so that the crustaceans hastened to leave the territory.

No. 12. Salt

Rock salt is spread on the floor in places where you can observe the greatest amount of moisture, for example, in the bathroom. Salt absorbs this moisture perfectly and will work to drain the room, which is not very pleasant for woodlice.

No. 13. Quicklime

Quicklime is a super powerful anti-crustacean product. Lime is placed in the container and diluted with water. The resulting mixture is put in a certain room (bath), close the door and leave for 3 days. Since the interaction of quicklime with water is accompanied by a violent reaction with the release of not only heat, but also a specific smell and caustic substances, care must be taken to protect the skin, eyes and respiratory organs, as well as remove toothbrushes, combs, creams, cosmetics and other things from the room personal hygiene. On the 4th day, everything is taken out, thorough cleaning and long-term ventilation are done.

No. 14. Kerosene and gasoline

These flammable substances really help in the eradication of woodlice. And arthropods die if the room is treated with a mixture of gasoline and kerosene, taken in equal proportions. But to use them means to endanger yourself and your home, because in a confined space there is a high probability of the formation of an explosive mixture, and of the explosion itself (with the slightest sloppy movement or a small spark). Therefore, before choosing a method of dealing with tiny crustaceans, it is better to thoroughly think over all the pros and cons.

Homemade traps

Homemade traps are simple, unobtrusive and very affordable. To organize such a thing is not difficult, and the benefits, albeit not super-huge, but they will bring.

Number 15. Bath brooms

A trap can be prepared from bath brooms (birch or oak), but if you find their problem, then you can use an ordinary household broom and even just wet rags or containers filled with fallen leaves (wet). Brooms should be well moistened and placed in places where land crustaceans most often appeared, left overnight. And when morning comes, it is necessary to collect traps and destroy living creatures.

No. 16. Potatoes and carrots

Despite the fact that root crop traps are a simple option, they will help significantly reduce the crustacean colony. Small holes are made in the tubers and vegetables are left overnight. Woodlice rush to the bait, smelling the juice, get inside, and in the morning it will be possible to throw everything together: both root crops and pests.

Number 17. Heat treatment

This method is often used when colonies of woodlice are clearly visible and within easy reach. The fact is that crustaceans die at a temperature of more than 70 ° C or when exposed to steam. Therefore, if possible, then a steam cleaner or hairdryer is quite suitable.

As for indoor plants, very often the only way to save them is transplantation. Before transplanting the flower into another pot, it is necessary to rinse its roots well. If everything is very sad, it is worth lowering the plant for 15 minutes into a container of warm water. Mokrits that will pop up, destroy

Chemical destruction

The use of chemicals for the destruction of wood lice requires a responsible approach and, if you can not do without them, you must:

• Initially, carefully read the instructions and do not neglect the manufacturer's recommendations.
• In the first place to put the safety of people, and then the degree of effectiveness of the drug.

The range of modern insecticidal drugs is large enough and making the right choice is not difficult.

Number 18. Aerosols

Aerosols, of course, will give a positive result much faster than alternative methods. The active substance of the drugs is strong insecticides. Nevertheless, the maximum benefit from them can be obtained by using the tool in a limited space. That is, it is good if the wood lice are concentrated in the bathroom, in the toilet or in the kitchen.The most effective aerosols include:

• "Tarax" - deservedly takes its place among the leading drugs. The film that forms after spraying is poisonous and first paralyzes arthropods, and then their death occurs.
• "Dichlorvos Varan" (universal - acts on any insects and different animals for 20 minutes after spraying. It does not smell, but must be used in large enough quantities.
• "Tetrix" refers to a number of concentrated drugs, sprayed around the apartment in small quantities. Effective, but does not work immediately, therefore, as practice shows, repeated processing of the apartment is required.
• "Dichlorvos (Eco and Neo)", "Combat", "Clean House", "Raptor" and others - aerosols, which are very successful in destroying wood lice.

No. 19. Solutions made from concentrates

To obtain a solution, high concentration insecticides are used. Drugs are diluted in water in accordance with the instructions. The prepared mixture is poured into a spray bottle and proceed to surface treatment. The funds are so effective that some of the following are in service with pest control services. Most Popular:

• Tetrix and Tsifoks.
• "Taran" and "Xulat Micro."
• “Cucaracha” and “Delta Zone”.

New developments are gaining more and more popularity - microencapsulated drugs with increased efficiency and increased shelf life:

• “Get” and “Lambda Zone”.
• Xulat and Tarax.

No. 20. Dusts and powders

As for dusts and powders, their purpose is to be scattered around the perimeter of rooms, kitchens, etc., scattered under the baseboard, in corners and crevices to combat wood lice. Despite the fact that insecticide powders are powerful means of exterminating pests, they have one small minus - this is the impossibility of applying them to the walls. This means that part of the arthropods (and, probably, a considerable one) will run away along vertical surfaces. To avoid such situations, powdered formulations are used in a duet or trio with other means. But the effect of this combination is amazing. Well established themselves:

• "Riapan" and "Phenaxinum".
• "Neopin" and dust "Clean House".

No. 21. Pencils (crayons)

Special pencils are easy, convenient and fast. They will be an excellent solution for small rooms. Insecticidal chalk lines are drawn, which sooner or later wood lice will fall. The peculiarity of land crustaceans is flat bodies and it is precisely this body structure that leads to the accumulation of poisonous substances in large quantities on them. Subsequently, this, of course, leads to the death of wood lice. In addition, using a special pencil, you can block the path of penetration of pests into the apartment - draw a kind of "border" (around outlets, ventilation outlets etc.). Even if annoying creatures violate her, they will already be doomed to death. The most popular insecticidal crayon among housewives is Mashenka and its analogue Titanic.

Number 22. Gels

Gels work by analogy with crayons. Usually choose remedies for domestic ants and cockroaches - they attract wood lice and act on their destruction. One of the best gels is Antiinsect. The drugs are applied to the surface in stripes directly from the tube or with a syringe. A good result is a combination of several methods.

Gels are one of the most relevant ways to kill woodlice. By their nature, isopod crustaceans have a kind of "immunity" to insecticides. And wet cleanings and solutions are generally grace for them. In the case of gels, we are talking about food poisoning: crustaceans are not indifferent to organic matter, i.e. eat bait gels

Number 23. Poison Lures

Many housewives are well known for poison baits, which very successfully resist the invasion of cockroaches. Similarly, you can get rid of wood lice. Tiny crustaceans, like all animals, need to eat, and they are happy to eat up the remains of human food.This opportunity should be used, but in order to enhance the effect, the classic recipe for poisoned bait (egg yolk and boric acid) is slightly changed. Instead of the last component, they take a concentrated insecticide: Delta Zone, Xulat Micro, or Lambda Zone. You have to wait a while until the arthropods are full, but the result is worth it.

Number 24. Sticky traps

The action of sticky devices does not lead to the mass destruction of woodlice. Therefore, they are best used for preventive purposes: after the action of the main drugs or vice versa, so as not to take up “chemistry”, but to catch a couple of creatures that accidentally got into the apartment. Often bought: "Argus", "Global", "Brownie", "Raptor", etc.

Number 25. Smoke bombs

It is unlikely that this method will be a godsend in the fight against wood lice when it comes to an apartment. But to destroy the center of their reproduction, insecticidal-repellent checkers will be very useful. As a rule, these tools are used for processing basements and attics. Someone might think: “That this cellar will not reach me.” Believe me, they will get there. And since the war is on all fronts, this procedure is simply necessary - we will not only get rid of arthropods, but also will not allow them to multiply and return again.

To get an excellent result, it is better to choose smoke bombs, the active substance of which is permethrin. When the active substance begins to work, wood lice die, and the surfaces after processing are covered with a very thin layer of permethrin. It will be he who will become reliable protection of the premises from the repeated invasion of pests. The most popular preparations are City and Silent Evening.

If it is not possible to use potent chemicals, sulfur fumes can be used. Climate and Fas are popular with users. At the same time, one must be prepared for the fact that the preparations will not give such an effect as the above checkers (it will be less) and the duration of the protection will also not be so long.

No. 26. Professional help

When all means have been tried, but there is no desired result, there is always a fallback option - the help of specialized specialists. Today, many companies and SES provide services for the destruction of house pests. What are the benefits of this collaboration?

• The drugs will be correctly selected (effective against wood lice and safe for people).
• Pros will accurately calculate the required amount and concentration of funds.
• At work, special equipment is used that allows you to handle the most inaccessible places.
• A guarantee is provided for the non-return of arthropods over a period of time.

Preventative measures

Timely cleaning is the norm for any housewife. But a few simple tips will help clean up your apartment so that wood lice will go around its tenth road.

Moreover, in fact, everything is not as complicated as it seems, it is only necessary:

• Ventilate the room regularly.
• Ensure that the rooms have good ventilation. For this, you can use a fan or install air conditioning.
• Drying things best done on the balcony.
• Do not leave rags wet, make sure they dry completely.
• To monitor the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, to prevent their rot.
• Do not leave dirty dishes with food debris in the sink.
• Take out the trash on time and keep the bin clean.
• Periodically conduct treatment of indoor plants for prevention.
• Carry out a routine inspection of plumbing and troubleshoot immediately, without delaying “for later”.
• Spend enough time checking hoods and ventilation.
• Eliminate gaps in the floor and walls.

Conclusion

Woodlifters in an apartment is a serious problem, and you should not console yourself with the thought of the harmlessness of these creatures. Tiny crustaceans will appear in the house or not, it depends not so much on cleanliness and order as on the microclimate of the premises.In addition, do not forget that their wood lice colonies are mainly organized outside the apartment.

The destruction of arthropods is a complex, but possible. To devote time to maintenance and cleaning, to monitor the serviceability of communication systems, to take care of indoor plants, to prevent a large concentration of moisture in the air - this is quite real. And the experience and knowledge of generations, interesting experiments and scientific developments will become reliable assistants in the fight against wood lice.