If you own a home with a basement, you’ve most likely had to deal with basement bugs. Bugs are the most abundant creature—living everywhere, including your home. The good news is that most of the bugs in your home are harmless. Most insects living in your basement generally reside there without you being aware of them. However, a few types of insects can cause significant long-term damages to your foundation. Here’s how to identify and get rid of basement insects.

Common Basement Bugs

Bugs commonly found in basements include:

• Termites
• Centipedes
• Earwigs
• Cockroaches
• Carpenter ants

Termites

If termites decide that your home is an excellent place to live, this is a problem. These basement insects often live in large colonies, and they build nests from a home’s wood areas, which causes moisture and decay. As a result, they can destroy your home. Sawdust piles are a primary sign that you have termites.

Termites look like light-colored ants. If you spot bugs near the wall joints or other wood areas in your basement, make sure to contact a pest control expert. You might also need foundation repair. To dissuade them from moving into your home, consider basement waterproofing.

Centipedes

Centipedes have many legs, which tend to make people uncomfortable. However, these insects are harmless. They’re fast scavengers that eat cockroach eggs. These insects also eat other bugs. Centipedes will only bite you if they feel threatened, so you should leave them alone if you spot them. This type of bug is slightly poisonous. If one does bite you, the bite area might become sore.

These moisture bugs are more helpful than harmful to humans. If you have a few living in your basement but would like to remove them, eliminate any water sources. If centipedes don’t have access to food and water, they’ll find somewhere else to live independently. Basement waterproofing will also prevent these bugs from entering your home.

Earwigs

Earwigs get a bad rap because of their scary-looking pincers, but these basement bugs are harmless to humans. Experts believe that their pincers are used during mating rituals or to scare away predators. These insects generally prefer to sun themselves on the tops of flowers when the weather is warm. If you have one, the bug is trying to stay out of the cold weather. They’ll typically leave your home once it gets warmer outside.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are common basement bugs that you’ll want to get rid of right away. They’re dangerous because they can transmit diseases to people. Cockroaches feed on organic matter and garbage. Therefore, they can infect your food with bacteria. Some people are also allergic to them.

Cockroaches multiply super-fast, and they are attracted to dark, damp spaces. These moisture bugs are nocturnal, and once they begin living in a basement or crawlspace, they usually make their way to other areas of the home. A common sign of a cockroach infestation is seeing a live one scurrying around your house.

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants feature a dark-colored body and a pinched waist. They’re also about the same size as termites. Carpenter ants build nests in moist wood that’s starting to decay, and they often make their homes in wall areas that have experienced water damage or below rotting subfloors.

While carpenter ants won’t infect you with deadly diseases or harmful bacteria, they can cause structural damage to your home if they decide to enter. As a result, they’re an insect species that you’ll want to get rid of. If you spot a small sawdust pile around a tiny opening in a basement or crawlspace wall, you might have carpenter ants.

How to Keep Bugs Out of Your Basement

Removing their water source will keep bugs out of your basement. Eliminating water is one of the most effective ways to bug-proof your basement. Insects are attracted to places with water, so if they don’t have access to it in your home, they won’t want to live there.

Install a drainage system to shift water away from your home. You can also hire a foundation repair company to encapsulate your home. This bug management system involves covering your basement or crawlspace walls with a barrier that resists moisture and decreases humidity. You can also install a dehumidifier in your basement or crawlspace.

Sticky traps are another way to get rid of bugs. Also, consider the amount of clutter in your basement or crawlspace. Insects are attracted to areas with lots of hidden places.

Ground Up Foundation Repair Can Help

While most basement insects are harmless, bugs are not a houseguest that you’ll want to welcome with open arms. Ground Up Foundation Repair specializes in basement waterproofing and crawl space encapsulation, which can help keep bugs out of your basement. Contact us today, and our foundation experts will find the best solution for your home.