How to get rid of woodlice in an apartment: 26 ways

Often our home is visited by not the most pleasant guests - insects. Cockroaches, ants, midges, spiders, etc. - this is not the most complete list of illegal occupants. Woodlice often inhabit the kitchen and bathroom. They love places with high humidity and are difficult to get rid of.

An insect such as woodlice belongs to the order of crustaceans. Their body is divided into segments that take an oval shape. Consists of the abdomen, chest and head. Active life is mainly conducted in spring and autumn. Breeding season occurs in summer. The female woodlice carries her eggs in a pouch inside her body and lays them only when she is sure that there are no predators nearby. Woodlice are the most adapted insects of their order for life on land, but they breathe with gills.

Types of woodlice

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

Typically found in a home:

Common woodlouse-armadillo (Armadillidium vulgare). It is easily recognized by its high, dark-colored shell. Crustaceans prefer damp cellars and basements, so they are not very often found in houses and apartments, but anything can happen. If there is a possible threat, the creature instantly curls up into a ball.
Woodlouse (Porsellio scaber). This is a fairly famous “traveler” of apartments. Characteristic features of representatives of this species:

The shell has a reddish tint.
7 pairs of legs allow tiny creatures to move very quickly.
They don't know how to roll up into a ball.

Woodlice should not be confused with silverfish (a silver-gray insect with a flat body that tapers towards the tail) and with flycatchers (they have a huge number of legs). Woodlice have a larger body (up to 20 mm), thick, oval, consisting of segments

It’s interesting that crustaceans get into the apartment:

Together with soil collected from the park for replanting indoor flora.
With soil-contaminated root vegetables purchased at the market.
From attics or basements.
From sewer pipes.
Along the ventilation ducts.
From neighbors who are so comfortable that small pests have multiplied in huge numbers and decided to develop new territories.

Woodlice are not picky eaters. They will happily eat rotten vegetables, leaves of indoor plants, can get to the roots, and will not disdain leftover food sent to the trash can, crumbs, leftovers on plates in the sink, animal food, etc. If food is really tight, crustaceans will be happy about mold spores that appeared in the bathroom due to high humidity

Fighting methods

The fight against woodlice is divided into two parts. The first is to block the access of new insects to the home. The second is the destruction of existing ones.

To prevent new bugs from getting inside, pay attention to the main routes of entry.

Ventilation. Woodlice often enter homes through the ventilation system. The method of control is simple - put a fine mesh on all ventilation holes, and the wood lice simply will not be able to get through it. If there are cracks, even small ones, near the vent, seal them with foam.

Cracks in the walls, floor and ceiling. In old buildings there will certainly be them; wood lice often crawl through them en masse, along with other unpleasant creatures. Seal all cracks. Pay special attention to cracks if you live on the top floor - there is an attic nearby, there are often a lot of woodlice there.

Water supply risers. There are often gaps between the pipes and the floor/ceiling. They should be carefully sealed with polyurethane foam.

Now let's figure out what to use to poison woodlice.

Reasons for appearance and habitat in the apartment

So, we know: for woodlice to appear in an apartment, there must be high humidity (dampness), 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 limited by walls, but once in human housing, they choose:

Bathroom or toilet room.
Storerooms.
The kitchen, especially the areas under the sink.
Ventilation shafts and air ducts.

What attracts woodlice there? Now let’s figure it out, because the reasons can be very different:

In the kitchen there are leftovers of food that have already begun to rot in the trash can.
Stagnant water in buckets, bowls or other containers.
Leaking toilet and wet rags on the floor.
Wet laundry that has been left in the bathroom for too long.
Excessive watering of indoor flowers leads to stagnation of water and the appearance of a musty smell.
Vegetables and fruits stored in a closet or on the balcony.
Dirty dark corners of rooms.
Damp walls, ceilings or floors.
Old, compacted 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. Controlled dryness in the room and regular ventilation do not allow crustaceans to breathe deeply, much less reproduce.

How to make your house uninhabitable for woodlice

Before using various chemicals to control insects, you need to make sure that the wood lice themselves begin to feel uncomfortable in the living room. There are certain factors that can affect this.

First of all, you need to remember that woodlice love moisture , which is why they appear most often in the kitchen and bathroom. The homeowner’s task will be to ensure dryness in the apartment.

Not everyone knows, but woodlice have gills. That is, these small crustaceans can travel on land, but it is vital for them to periodically receive water. If it is not in the house, then the woodlice will not be able to live in it.

Achieving perfect dryness can be very difficult, but nothing prevents you from fixing leaky pipes and plumbing, improving ventilation and getting rid of too many houseplants. This is what will create an unfavorable habitat for woodlice.

Quicklime, which can be scattered on the floor or placed in uncovered containers, will help reduce air humidity. Spray areas of accumulation with an aqueous solution of boric acid. This is the easiest and safest method of removal for others. If there were not many individuals, they will quickly leave the territory.

In the event that pests have thoroughly taken a fancy to the house, more serious chemicals will be required.

Features of woodlice

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

These are the only representatives of crustaceans that did not completely abandon the water element, but chose a land existence.
When living conditions worsen, they can hibernate, and the duration of such suspended animation is up to 9 months.
Reproduction occurs not only through fertilization, but also “without a dad” - parthenogenetically.
Land crustaceans have breathing sacs and so-called land gills. Arthropods absorb oxygen from the thin film of moisture that wets these gills.
Since they are not insects, the use of insecticides is not always advisable , because the effect of the active substance is very limited. Therefore, it is necessary to use either very strong drugs, or supplement them with other agents, or carry out the treatment several times.

If at least one woodlice appears in the apartment, you must immediately begin to act:

Make sure there are no leaks in the water supply and sewerage systems.
Try to reduce high humidity to a minimum by all possible means.
Promptly seal existing gaps and cracks in the walls and ceiling, remove gaps around the risers of communication pipes (spray foam can help).

Ways to combat woodlice

When choosing the most optimal method for expelling and destroying 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. Also, each of them understands that it is unlikely that it will be possible to get rid of woodlice easily and quickly. Here you need to be patient and act comprehensively , gradually moving towards the complete extermination of pests:

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

What kind of insect is this?

Woodlice are insects that belong to the suborder Crustaceans , have a rounded body divided into sections (read more about what type, class and order the woodlice belongs to in this article). It includes the head, chest, and also the abdomen. Insects appear throughout the year and are considered most intense in spring and autumn, reproduction occurs in the summer, and it is curious that the female carries her eggs in a sac, on her own body, until she finds a place protected from predators to transfer them.

On a note. Of absolutely all representatives, this is a unique insect that has best adapted to land, however, despite this, they also breathe with gills.

You can learn more about what woodlice look like and what types of this insect there are here.

Folk remedies

Many people adopt folk methods of dealing with uninvited “guests”. And for a reason. After all, they are time-tested, affordable, safe for people, and most importantly, they are effective. Here are some of them.

No. 1. Boric acid (in different versions)

Boric acid, which can be easily purchased at any pharmacy, is a white powder and is one of the most effective means for killing woodlice. The product can be used in dry form, in solution, or in a mixture.

Sprinkle the dry powder generously along all baseboards and in the corners of the rooms.
Prepare a solution: dilute 10 g of acid in 10 liters of water. It is good to wipe the surfaces in places where crustaceans are located with the resulting composition for 2-5 days.
Roll into small balls from a mixture of boric acid, semolina and egg yolks, or boric acid, flour and table salt. Place killer baits in areas of greatest concentration of woodlice.

No. 2. Kvass

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

No. 3. Bleaching

A bleach solution is made at the rate of 50 g of product per 1 liter of water. They treat all surfaces that raise doubts, including vertical ones.

No. 4. Vinegar

Vinegar dissolved in water is not liked not only by many insects, but also by woodlice. The liquid mixture, applied in the places where they live, scares off the small tenants with its smell and forces them to leave previously conquered territories.

No. 5. Alum

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

No. 6. Mustard with soda

Mix soda and mustard powder. Dilute the resulting mass in water and treat baseboards, floors, and walls. The mixture can also be used in dry form - just sprinkle the problem area, and the effect of the composition on woodlice will be enhanced by additionally placing in different places small plates with a slurry of soda and mustard.
Mix 20 g of mustard powder with 2 liters of water and let it brew for 24 hours. The resulting product is applied under the sink, sink, bathtub and toilet, and the suspension is also poured over the soil in which indoor flora grows.

No. 7. A mixture of pepper, tobacco and soda

Prepare a mixture of tobacco, red pepper and soda (salt), taking 3 g of all ingredients. Dissolve the resulting composition in 1 liter of water. Using a spray bottle, spray the solution in places where woodlice are most concentrated, leave for several hours, and then treat the surfaces with a chlorine-containing agent.

No. 8. Red pepper (hot)

100 g of pepper are ground in a meat grinder, 1 liter of cold water is added to the pulp and left to steep for 10 days. Then the infusion is diluted with plain water at the rate of 1/100 to treat plants against woodlice.

No. 9. Garlic

Chop 100 g of peeled garlic, add 2 liters of water (cold) and leave for 10 days. The resulting infusion is used to treat plants that have become food for wood lice and places where the latter accumulate.

No. 10. Hellebore, wormwood and hogweed

Our grandmothers and great-grandmothers used these plants (dry, fresh, and their infusions) to destroy woodlice. You need to work with folk poisons very carefully so as not to get hurt in the process.

No. 11. Essential oils

Oils from plants such as eucalyptus, citronella or peppermint are applied to areas where moisture is most present or collects. It is enough to drop a few drops for the crustaceans to hurry to leave the area.

No. 12. Salt

Rock table salt is scattered on the floor in places where the greatest amount of moisture can be observed, for example, in the bathroom. Salt perfectly absorbs this moisture and will work to dry out the room, which wood lice will not really like.

No. 13. Quicklime

Quicklime is a super-powerful remedy against crustaceans. Lime is placed in a container and diluted with water. The resulting mixture is placed in a certain room (bath), the door is closed and left 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 odor and caustic substances, it is necessary to take care to protect the skin, eyes and respiratory organs, and also 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 actually help in exterminating woodlice. And arthropods die if the room is treated with a mixture of gasoline and kerosene, taken in equal proportions. But using them means exposing yourself and your home to danger, since in a confined space there is a high probability of the formation of an explosive mixture, and even an explosion itself (at the slightest careless movement or a small spark). Therefore, before choosing a method of dealing with tiny crustaceans, it is better to thoroughly think through all the pros and cons.

Powders and crayons

Powders are insecticides that need to be sprayed around the perimeter. Woodlice are often found on walls. Therefore, this type of product is used as an addition to the main method.

The best of them are:

"Tarax." The most effective remedy for wood lice in the apartment. It is diluted in water and applied from a spray bottle. It forms a toxic film that does not immediately affect the pest, but gives it time to infect others. The drug is absolutely safe for people and pets. Does not cause addiction among pests. "Phenaxin". Insecticidal powder. Suitable for flat surfaces. It is necessary to remove pets and children from the premises during treatment. "Riapan." The powder is used to treat areas where wood lice accumulate. A solution of this product diluted with water can be applied to vertical surfaces. After treatment, wet cleaning is required.

Crayons have worked well as a remedy for woodlice in apartments. This is an excellent way to fight cockroaches. The insect walks along the chalk line, and at this moment the insecticide gets on its paws. Apply stripes around the perimeter of the room, along walls, baseboards. Ideal for vertical surfaces. Effective crayons - “Mashenka”, “Titanic”.

Homemade traps

Homemade traps are simple, unobtrusive and very affordable. It won’t be difficult to organize this, and it will bring benefits, even if not super huge.

No. 15. Bath brooms

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

No. 16. Potatoes and carrots

Although root traps are a simple option, they can significantly reduce crustacean colonies. Small holes are made in the tubers and the vegetables are left overnight. Woodlice rush to the bait, sensing the smell of juice, get inside, and in the morning you can throw everything away together: both root vegetables and pests.

No. 17. Heat treatment

This method is often used when colonies of woodlice are clearly visible visually and are at an accessible distance. The fact is that crustaceans die at temperatures above 70°C or when exposed to steam. Therefore, if possible, a steam cleaner or hair dryer is quite suitable.

As for indoor plants, very often the only way to save them is replanting. Before transplanting the flower into another pot, you need to rinse its roots well. If everything is very sad, you should lower the plant for 15 minutes in a container with warm water. Destroy any woodlice that float to the surface

Chemical destruction

The use of chemicals to kill woodlice requires a responsible approach and, if you cannot do without them, you must:

Initially, carefully read the instructions and do not neglect the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Put the safety of people first, and then the degree of effectiveness of the drug.

The range of modern insecticidal preparations is quite large and making the right choice is not difficult.

No. 18. Aerosols

Aerosols, of course, will give a positive result much faster than traditional methods. The active substance of the drugs is strong insecticides. However, maximum benefit can be obtained by using the product in a limited space. That is, it is good if wood lice concentrate in the bathroom, toilet or 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 various living creatures for 20 minutes after spraying. It is odorless, but must be used in sufficiently large quantities.
"Tetrix" belongs to a series of concentrated preparations, sprayed around the apartment in small quantities. It is effective, but does not act immediately, therefore, as practice shows, repeated treatment of the apartment is required.
“Dichlorvos (Eco and Neo)”, “Combat”, “Clean House”, “Raptor” and others are aerosols that are very successful in destroying woodlice.

No. 19. Solutions prepared from concentrates

To obtain the solution, high concentration insecticides are used. The drugs are diluted in water according to the instructions. The prepared mixture is poured into a spray bottle and surface treatment begins. The products are so effective that some of the ones proposed below are used by pest control services. Most Popular:

"Tetrix" and "Cifox".
"Taran" and "Xulat Micro".
"Cucaracha" and "Delta Zone".

New developments are becoming increasingly popular - microencapsulated drugs with increased efficiency and extended duration of action:

"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., poured under baseboards, into corners and crevices to combat woodlice. Despite the fact that insecticidal powders are powerful means of exterminating pests, they have one small drawback - the impossibility of applying them to walls. This means that some arthropods (and probably a considerable number) will escape along vertical surfaces. To avoid such situations, powdered formulations are used in a duet or trio with other products. But the effect of such a combination is amazing. Well proven:

"Riapan" and "Phenaxin".
"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. Using insecticidal chalk, draw lines where woodlice will sooner or later get caught. The peculiarity of land crustaceans is their flat bodies, and it is this body structure that leads to the adhesion of poisonous substances to them in large quantities. Subsequently, this, of course, leads to the death of woodlice. In addition, using a special pencil, you can block the paths for pests to enter the apartment - draw a kind of “border” (around sockets, ventilation outlets, etc.). Even if annoying creatures violate it, they will already be doomed to death. The most popular insecticidal chalk among housewives is “Mashenka” and its analogue “Titanic”.

No. 22. Gels

Gels work in a similar way to crayons. Usually they choose remedies for domestic ants and cockroaches - they attract woodlice and act to destroy them. One of the best gels is Antiinsecte. The drugs are applied to the surface in strips directly from the tube or using a syringe. A combination of several methods gives a good result.

Gels are one of the most relevant methods for exterminating woodlice. By their nature, isopod crustaceans have a kind of “immunity” to insecticides. And wet cleaning and solutions are generally a blessing for them. In the case of gels, we are talking about food poisoning: crustaceans are partial to organic matter, i.e. will also eat bait gels

No. 23. Baits with poison

Many housewives are well aware of baits with poison, which very successfully resist the invasion of cockroaches. This is exactly how you can get rid of woodlice. Tiny crustaceans, like all animals, need to eat, and they happily eat the remains of human food. This opportunity must 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, take a concentrated insecticide preparation: “Delta Zone”, “Xulat Micro” or “Lambda Zone”. You'll have to wait a while for the arthropods to get enough, but the result is worth it.

No. 24. Sticky traps

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

No. 25. Smoke bombs

It is unlikely that this method will be a godsend in the fight against woodlice when it comes to an apartment. But to destroy the source of their reproduction, insecticidal-repellent bombs will be very useful. As a rule, these products are used to treat basements and attics. Someone might think: “What do I care about this basement, they won’t get to me.” Believe me, they will get there. And since the war is going on on all fronts, this procedure is simply necessary - we will not only get rid of arthropods, but also not give them the opportunity to reproduce and come back again.

To get excellent results, it is better to choose smoke bombs whose active ingredient is permethrin. When the active substance begins to work, the woodlice die, and the surfaces after treatment are covered with a very thin layer of permethrin. It will be the reliable protection of the premises from repeated invasion of pests. The most popular drugs are “City” and “Quiet Evening”.

If it is not possible to use strong chemicals, you can use sulfur smoke bombs. “Climate” and “Face” are popular among users. At the same time, you must be prepared for the fact that the drugs will not give the same effect as the above checkers (it will be less) and the duration of the protection will also not be as long.

Gels, traps, woodlice baits

Gels can be compared in effectiveness to crayons. They can be used as an additional means of pest control.

Sticky traps are suitable for prevention purposes.

Baits are effective in fighting cockroaches, but they are also suitable as a preventative against woodlice. The most popular are the following:

Schabengel. Can be used against woodlice, ants and cockroaches. Available in the form of a gel bait. Easy to use in hard to reach places. Gel "Raptor". Convenient for application. Easily gets into cracks. Has no smell.

All drugs have a destructive effect on the central nervous system of insects.

No. 26. Help from professionals

When all means have been tried, but there is no desired result, there is always a backup option - the help of specialized specialists. Today, many companies and SES provide services for the destruction of indoor pests. What are the advantages of such cooperation?

The correct medications will be selected (effective against wood lice and safe for people).
The professionals will accurately calculate the required amount and concentration of funds.
When working, special equipment is used that allows you to process the most inaccessible places.
A guarantee is provided against the return of arthropods within a certain period of time.

Preventive measures

Timely cleaning is the norm for any housewife. But a few simple tips will help you restore order and cleanliness in your apartment so that wood lice will avoid it as much as possible.

Moreover, in reality everything is not as complicated as it seems, all you need is:

Ventilate the room regularly.
Make sure there is good air ventilation in the rooms. For this you can use a fan or install an air conditioner.
It is better to dry things on the balcony.
Do not leave floor cloths wet, make sure they dry completely.
Monitor the shelf life of fruits and vegetables and prevent them from rotting.
Do not leave dirty dishes with food leftovers in the sink.
Take out the trash promptly and keep the trash can clean.
Periodically treat indoor plants for prevention.
Carry out a preventive inspection of plumbing and fix problems immediately, without putting it off “for later.”
Spend sufficient time checking hoods and ventilation.
Eliminate cracks in the floor and walls.

Features of the use of chemicals

Before using any of the proposed remedies for woodlice in your apartment, you must:

Study the instructions for the drug. Be sure to ensure no contact with children or pets. Although many manufacturers indicate that the drug is safe for people and pets. When using chemicals, use gloves and a mask when treating the room. Take into account the fact that the number of woodlice may visually increase after treatment; they will begin to crawl chaotically around the apartment. After finishing the treatment, wash the room and ventilate well.

Various preventative methods can be used to prevent woodlice from appearing.