Some bugs can’t get enough of the damp and the dark, and the conditions inside your wet, leaky basement can create the perfect habitat for several insect species. Cockroaches, termites, pillbugs and house centipedes all adore dank, gloomy spaces and are common visitors in the subterranean rooms of houses up and down North America.

If left untreated, these insects can form infestations that may threaten both the health of your family and the structural integrity of your home. Preventing invasions is the best way to keep your basement pleasantly bug-free, but how can you go about keeping bugs out of your wet, leaky basement?

What types of insects are most commonly found in wet, leaky basements?

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are well-known for hanging out in sewers, so it should come as no surprise to learn these loathsome creatures love a damp, dark environment. As a result, they’re one of the most common insect pests found in basements – especially leaky ones!

This is because damp, leaky basements always have a steady water supply, without which cockroaches can’t survive. These filthy bugs often come indoors seeking moisture and a suitable nesting spot where they can breed. Once they do start producing young their numbers can explode, especially in rarely visited basements where they can scuttle around largely unnoticed. Roaches are dirty creatures with a high bacterial load and the potential to contaminate food supplies, so keeping them out of your home is a must.

Keeping your basement as dry as possible will make it look far less inviting to passing roaches.

Termites

Like roaches, termites are very fond of damp, gloomy environments and are frequently found in soggy basements throughout North America. For homeowners, termites are almost certainly the worst pests to encounter anywhere in your house. This is because these tiny bugs can cause devastating structural damage to your home if not dealt with immediately, and they often go unnoticed for long periods of time in basements. Meanwhile, these ‘silent destroyers’ chew their way through any wood they can find, gobbling up the cellulose (plant fibers) in your beams and floor joists.

Termites are such voracious eaters that they represent a major economic issue in the United States, accounting for billions of dollars in damages each year. To prevent a termite infestation in your basement, keep moisture to a minimum. As termites need a steady water supply to live, a dry environment can help to dissuade them from moving in and setting up home.

Pillbugs

Pillbugs are usually outdoor creatures and are often commonly found in damp soil and under flowerpots, compost, stones, and mulch. These tiny arthropods require a constant supply of water, as they cannot survive without it for more than a few days. Therefore, they only invade damp, leaky basements, where they have enough moisture to live. Though harmless, pillbugs can invade basements in large numbers and form infestations that can be tricky to get rid of. Prevent pillbugs by removing water sources in your basement, sealing up possible entry holes and keeping the outside of your house free from debris and clutter.

House centipedes

Another type of arthropod, the many-legged house centipede is another pest that loves to hang out in wet, leaky basements. This invasive species is thought to have originated in the Mediterranean region but, today can be found in houses throughout North America. House centipedes are carnivorous creatures that emerge at night to hunt and feed on other bugs (such as silverfish, cockroaches, and spiders). By day, they hide away in dark, damp areas, making your leaky basement their ideal home. House centipedes are more likely to come indoors during the winter months, as outdoor temperatures drop too low in some regions for them to be able to overwinter outdoors.

Top tips for basement pest control

Besides keeping your basement as dry as possible, is there anything else you can do to keep insects out?

InsectCop, a pest control advice blog, suggests Implementing an integrated pest control plan as it is the most effective way to keep your basement (and the rest of your home) bug-free. And here are some tips on just how to do that!

Keep your basement clean and tidy

Boxes, old furniture, and general clutter all make ideal shelters for a variety of pests and can encourage insects into your basement. Keeping your basement clean and tidy gives bugs fewer places to hide, so they are less likely to set up nests down there.

Check for entry points and seal them up where possible

Insects can find their way inside through any crack, gap or hole in the exterior of your house. Spend an afternoon identifying and sealing all possible points of entry to your basement to reduce the number of bugs that get in.

Be vigilant about food waste

Food scraps are the ultimate invitation to roaches and rodents and can bring all kinds of pests into your home. Get into the habit of clearing away dirty plates, utensils, food wrappers and leftovers immediately to avoid tempting bugs into your home.

Use a chemical soil treatment around the outside of your basement

Termites find their way into your home via the soil outside and will find their way onto any wood that contacts the earth. Try treating the soil around your basement with a chemical treatment to create a barrier that bugs can’t cross.

Use insecticidal baits and dusts

To keep roaches and other insects out of your basement, scatter an insecticidal dust around entry points to your garage. These roach powders kill bugs on contact and can help to stop them from coming inside and setting up nests.

Knowledge is the best defense!

Certain types of bugs are very at home in dark, damp, gloomy environments. For anyone who owns a leaky basement, you may find yourself encountering all sorts of insects down there, including cockroaches, termites, pillbugs and house centipedes.

Whenever you find any type of insect in your basement, however, you need to act quickly to prevent a large (and problematic) infestation from forming. Keep your basement as dry as possible and put an integrated pest management plan into place to prevent invasions this winter!

About the Author:

Kristiana Kripena works as a Digital and Content Marketing Director for InsectCop.net, which is a pest control advice blog that helps people live pest-free lives by providing tips and guides on everything from rat-proofing your home to getting rid of mosquitoes.

Have you been putting off cleaning your bathroom only to find nasty stains that you can’t get rid of? You might not be using the right product and technique to get the job done. 

Get Rid of Rust, Mineral Build-Up, and Water Stains

Our step-by-step instructions will help you get rid of lime, rust, and scum on your sinks, toilets, and showers. The folks here at Basement Waterproofing by Al have compiled this guide to help keep your home in top-performing shape. Those stubborn stains don’t stand a chance!

What Causes Water Stains?

Simply put, water causes water stains. However, it isn’t the H20 that’s the problem. The culprit is what’s being carried in the water: calcium, magnesium, and iron. These elements love to stick to everything they can, especially your damp bathroom. 

Iron causes rust below faucets. Calcium and magnesium create a white crust in your sink and tub. And soap scum is created when calcium and magnesium mix together with the chemicals in your favorite soap and your own body oils.

There’s nothing you can do to remove these elements from your water. Some filters can remove a small amount, but nothing has been able to filter water well enough to cut down on them significantly.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need for Water Stains

Required Tools

• Plunger
• Safety Goggles or Glasses
• Bucket
• Nylon Scrubbing Brush
• Grout Brush
• Toilet Brush
• Squeegee
• Rag
• Rubber Gloves

Required Cleaning Products

• Glass Cleaner
• Hydrochloric Acid Cleaner
• Toilet Bowl Cleaner
• All-Purpose Soap Scum, Mildew, and Lime Deposit Cleaner

Which Cleaners Should You Use?

The key to getting rid of tough stains is using the right product. You shouldn’t be using elbow grease. The product you use should do the work for you and wipe away clean.

Each product you buy is tailored to a specific kind of stain. Some all-purpose cleaners will get the majority of stains, but you’ll need something special for the toughest ones. You’ll come across five types of common cleaning chemicals when looking for the right product: alkalis, solvents, disinfectants, acids, and surfactants.

Alkalis will take care of acidic fats and oils, including dirt and body oils. Surfactants make sure the cleaner reaches all the cracks and pores of the surface. Solvents are meant to clean oil and grease by dissolving them. Acids are meant for tough stains, like limescale, soap deposits, and rust.

Once you’ve gotten rid of the stains, you can use a disinfectant to kill bacteria and germs that cause odors and diseases. Be sure to check the label of each product to make sure it is safe to use on the surface you are cleaning.

Some of the most commonly used cleaners are Santeen De-Limer & Toilet Bowl Cleaner, The Works Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Comet Bathroom Spray, Scrubbing Bubbles with Bleach, and Lime-A-Way.

Keep all of your cleaning products and tools together to make sure you’re always prepared. Hunting for the right cleaner is likely to frustrate you and delay a necessary cleaning.

Guide to Cleaning Water Stains

Regular cleaning is the only way to avoid tough stains. Here are a few of the most common stains and how to clean them if you’ve let it get out of control.

How to Clean Faucet Scales

You’ll need a product like Lime-A-Way to get rid of these stains if you’ve let them build up for more than a week or two. If you keep up with weekly cleaning, all-purpose cleaners should work fine.

You should be able to clean your faucet just fine, but the aerator screen could give you some trouble. If a good scrubbing with a toothbrush doesn’t cut it, unscrew the spout tip and soak it overnight in vinegar. Scrub it again with a toothbrush, and it should be nice and clean.

How to Remove Rust From a Toilet

Normally when you clean a toilet bowl, you just add the product to the water and bowl and scrub. When you have rust in your toilet, you need to completely empty the bowl of water.

You can do this by closing the water shutoff valve by turning it clockwise. Flush the toilet and plunge as much water down the drain as you can. 

You’ll need a product with hydrochloric acid (also called hydrogen chloride, HCL, or muriatic acid), like The Works Toilet Bowl Cleaner or Santeen De-Limer & Toilet Bowl Cleaner. 

Don’t use bleach! It will set the stain. If mixed with acidic cleaners, it can also create deadly vapors.

Use a brush with nylon bristles that won’t scratch the bowl and brush slowly so the chemicals don’t make their way out of the bowl and onto the floor. The chemicals can damage your floor and other items in the bathroom.

Flush and rinse the bowl and clean up any spills. Now you’re done!

How to Clean Soap Scum on Tiles

Tile floors and walls have a lot of cracks and crevices that dirt, grime, and soap scum can find their way into. Luckily, there are many safe, easy products that can reach every spot.

In this case, bleach is your best option. Just make sure you’re not mixing any other products with it. It does a great job on soap scum and mildew.

Coat the whole surface and let the product sit for five to 10 minutes. Grab your nylon scrubber again (after rinsing it thoroughly) and lightly scrub the surface. If one application doesn’t cut it, reapply and try again.

You might need to use a toothbrush or grout brush to get in all the cracks. Once you’ve cleaned every crevice, rinse the surface and squeegee it clean. Make sure you remove all the water to cut down on more buildup.

Tips to Shorten Cleaning Time

The best thing you can do to reduce the cleaning time is to clean your bathroom every week. Don’t let the mess build up so much that it becomes a headache. It’s better to be proactive than to put it off.

Brush your toilet bowl each day without any cleaner. This will make it easier to clean at the end of the week. Also, always close the lid when flushing.

If you have time, squeegee water off shower walls after each shower. Removing the water removes the stain-causing elements. 

You can also wipe down fixtures daily and use liquid soap instead of solid soap to cut down on soap scum. This applies to both the shower and sink.

What steps are you taking to keep your bathroom clean? What products do you use? Let us know in the comments below!