Basements often are home to unwanted insects:
To stop these basement
pests from entering your home, caulk holes and cracks around your
windows and doors. Also, lock your linens, books, and papers in
well-sealed plastic storage containers.
A good idea is to first do
a thorough assessment of your basement to learn which insects are
inhabiting the area and how you can keep your basement clutter-free. In
many cases, spiders, centipedes, and other creepy crawlies like to hide
in dark corners and behind boxes, cartons, and other bulky items.
Moisture and dampness may also attract certain basement bugs. Try
running a dehumidifier in your basement to see if that can improve your
situation.
Otherwise, not only will the pests mentioned above be
problematic, but damp wood is especially attractive to termites. With
the extensive damage they can cause, it’s essential to take preventative
steps now to protect against them. Of course, moisture elimination is
only part of the pest-proofing equation. It’s also important to remove
offerings of shelter that may be lurking in and around your basement.Â
Most spiders and insects come into the lower levels of homes through
cracks and crevices. Walk around the exterior of your home and use
caulk to seal any openings you see.
Pay particular attention to
holes from utility lines and plumbing that come into your home. To check
your work, stand in your basement with the lights off. If you see any
streams of light coming in, grab the caulking gun and seal things a
little tighter. If you see a lot of cobwebs in a certain area, there’s a
good chance there’s a pest entry point nearby. Don’t forget to check
your dryer vents. If they remain open, you have practically rolled out
the red carpet for pests
If you have a lot of items stored in the
basement, such as unused pieces of furniture, you might want to store
them in another area of your home. Spiderwebs can easily accumulate
around furniture and termites will be attracted to wood. If you must
keep furniture in the basement, consider covering it with plastic.
Keep
floors as clean as possible to deter bugs, especially if your basement
is carpeted. Give the area a thorough cleaning regularly, using steam
and a commercial carpet shampoo. Vacuum the area after steam cleaning.
If you have area rugs in the basement, shake them out weekly, and vacuum
them as well.
The last component of pest proofing is the
elimination of food sources. When it comes to food for spiders and other
insects that often infest basements, natural sources are outdoors. Be
sure to keep foliage trimmed back from your home and keep mulch 18
inches from the foundation of your house. As the leaves come down, be
sure to remove them from gathering around your house as decaying leaf
piles are very attractive to pests.
Keeping the basement clean and
free of debris and food particles may be a deterrent as well. Depending
upon which bugs have invaded the area, there are certain sprays or even
natural deterrents such as eucalyptus, cinnamon, or mint that can help
keep insects out of your basement. Forming some type of barrier by
caulking or other means may help as well.
For more helpful ideas
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