Certain Bugs Attracted to Moisture
Bugs, insects, little creepy-crawlies, are all facts of life. No matter where you go or where you live there are bugs.
Insects/bug will get into your home several ways. They can be on you, your pets or other things you bring into your home. Other bugs will come through open doors and windows (without screens).
Your basement is the best environment for bugs. Usually because it is dark, damp and less inhabited than other parts of your home.
Insects have a natural reason for being where you find them. But if you notice a higher number of bugs in your basement, that is a signal that there is an undelying issue.
Moisture and, or Cracks in your basement foundation.
Bugs survive thanks to constant moisture. There are a variety of different basement bugs attracted to moisture. Here are 7 basement bugs that state you have water problems in your home.
If you believe you have a moisture or foundation crack issue in your home, feel free to have AAA Solid Foundation provide an inspection and quote.
MOLD MITES
Mold mites are very tiny insects that feed only on fungal growth.
They’re sometimes called moisture mites because they thrive in damp areas.
These mold eating bugs migrate from one wet spot to another. Where they quickly multiply.
Outdoors, mold mites live on decaying plants, rotting wood and even bird nests.
SILVERFISH
Silverfish or Fish Moths are silver-grey in color and average one 2.5 cm (1 inch) in length.
They’re nocturnal, meaning active at night. Often discovered near drains and other sources of mositure.
Silverfish love carbohydrates. Such as sugar and starches. They also like a messy room. With clothes in boxes or on the floor.
Snowbugs
Also known as woodlice. Snow bugs are useful in your garden because they can generate compost as well as loosen up the soil.
But when it is dry outside, they will seek out a damp basement.
Due to their necessity of moisture. Woodlice live any place where the humidity is high. Also where decaying plant matter/wood is available.
Eliminating the moisture in your basement is the only way to exterminate them.
Earwigs
Earwigs are attracted to rotting trees and other vegetation. As well as your damp basement. They are also nocturnal, coming out at night to feed on other insects, plants and wood.
Earwigs have elongated, flattened bodies that range in size from .6 to 2.5 cm (¼- to 1-inch) long. They vary in color from pale brown to reddish brown or black.
Their most notable characteristic are the pincers on the back of their abdomen.
Centipedes
Centipedes are carnivorous and they come in all sizes and shapes. Their size ranges from a couple millimetres to about 30 cm (1.25 inch). Their colour usually is a mixture of browns and reds.
Centipedes love moisture.
Centipedes like your basement because a lot of the time it’s an area that has significant moisture. Basements can have a collection of moisture for a variety of different reasons.
These dark moist corners are places a centipede would most likely be in the house. They could be hiding under large flat objects that resemble the log, stong or soil from nature.
To avoid centipedes in your basement. It’s important to identify sources of moisture coming into your basement.
Inadequate grading of the house’s foundation
Missing or broken gutters and downspouts
Poorly designed window wells could collect water
Crack in the foundation wall
Keeping your house clean is your best defense.
Cockroach
There are roughly 4,500 different cockroach species worldwide. But less than 1% of them are pests which invade homes and other buildings.
Cockroaches in Canada enter heated structures to escape colder weather. As they are tropical and prefer warmer environments. The German cockroach is the species most often found throughout Canada.
Other structure-infesting cockroach species found in Canada include:
SPIDERS
Spiders love basements because there are often dark, quiet corners for them to live.
Spiders are natural introverts that prefer isolation. As a result, poorly lit, undisturbed areas of a home or building seem inviting to spiders.
Spiders are also nocturnal, being most active at night. Cluttered or neglected cellars also collect dust. Unless there are a lot of spiders in your home, it may not be an issue of cracks or moisture. It could be because you have other insects that spiders like to pray on.
Buildings that struggle with ventilation issues. May experience increased humidity and moisture in the basement. To spiders, a moist space can serve as a continuous source for both food and water.