Tag
Guides for pests in the basement and crawl space: where they get in and how to clear them out.
Fall invaders · Get Rid of Pests
Put sticky traps in corners and behind appliances, dry out the basement, switch outdoor lights to yellow bulbs and seal the gaps crickets use. Tell house crickets from camel crickets first.
Fall invaders · Identify
A spider egg sac is a small ball or teardrop of silk, white, cream, tan or brown, about ¼ to ½ inch across, tucked in a web corner. Which spider made it, how many eggs are inside, and how to remove it safely.
Fall invaders · Get Rid of Pests
Vacuum spiders, webs and egg sacs, set sticky traps along the walls, clear clutter and seal the gaps they walk through. Sprays only kill the spider you hit. About $26 in supplies; a pro charges $100–$500.
Mice · Traps & Baits
Put mouse traps against the wall, bait end touching it, where you’ve found fresh droppings: behind the fridge and stove, under the sink, along garage and attic walls. Set them in pairs, no more than 10 feet apart.
Rats · Get Rid of Pests
Use rat-size snap traps, about $3.59 each: bait with a pea-sized amount, leave them unset for a couple of days, then set them all at right angles to the wall.
Mice & rats · Get Rid of Pests
Trap along the walls, seal gaps of ¼ inch or more with metal and disinfect droppings, for about $57–71 in supplies. Pro crawl space cleanup runs $200–$4,000.
Silverfish · Get Rid of Pests
Dry the room below 60% humidity, trap for a few nights to find the hot spots, then dust cracks with boric acid or diatomaceous earth. Supplies run about $47–52; a pro charges $200–$700.
Cockroaches · Identify
Most "water bugs" in a house are oriental or American cockroaches from drains and damp basements. A true water bug lives in ponds, has pincer-like front legs and tiny antennae, and doesn’t breed indoors.
Silverfish & springtails · Prevention & Sealing
Yes, it helps: silverfish, springtails and house centipedes need damp air. Keep rooms at 30–50% humidity with a $130–150 dehumidifier and a $10 hygrometer, and fix the leak behind it.
Silverfish · Safety & Cleanup
No. Silverfish don’t bite, sting or spread disease. They graze books, paper and starched clothes; sealed bins, drier air and a week in the freezer protect them free.
Springtails · Get Rid of Pests
Dry them out: fix the leak or damp spot, keep indoor humidity under 60%, and vacuum or rinse away the rest. A hygrometer and a tube of caulk cost about $15; bug spray rarely helps.
