Basements can be naturally a bit scary. They’re dark, typically chillier than the rest of the home, and often part of the plot of a lot of scary movies. Children are commonly spooked about going to the basement alone and sometimes we carry those feelings into adulthood! There may be an unsettling feeling that perhaps something is lurking down there!
While the truth is, there aren’t really any monsters lurking in your basement, there could be a number of unwanted basement bugs crawling about when nobody is down there—and hiding in the far corners when you are.
Basements are the prime hang-out spot for a lot of pests for a few key reasons. They’re dark, cool, and moist—and they’re often more private than the rest of your home. The truth is, most pests don’t really want to encounter you (as much as you don’t want to encounter them). So, they likely appreciate the privacy of being less disturbed in your basement.
Of course, you don’t want basement bugs thinking they can move in and make themselves comfortable. That’s why we’re talking about how to identify bugs in your basement, and more importantly, how to get rid of them.
Basement Bugs in Pennsylvania
Typically any bug that can make its way into your home can make its way into your basement. But there are certain bugs that tend to prefer the basement conditions that we talked about above (mostly that it’s dark and moist). Certain bugs need moist environments in which to live.
Pests that we find most often in basements include the following.
- Millipedes
- Centipedes
- Spiders
- Earwigs
- Cockroaches
- Crickets
Though this article is about insects in your basement, it’s worth mentioning that rodents, such as mice and rats, also tend to like basements. Exposed insulation, cluttered piles, food storage, and damp conditions are all reasons why rodents may find their way to your basement and hang out as long as they go undiscovered.
How to Identify Bugs in Your Basement
You might be wondering how to know if you definitely have basement bugs. There’s really no great way to say this so we’ll just put it out there—if you have a basement, you have basement bugs.
Don’t freak out. The fact is that insects are the most abundant animal form and they are everywhere (including in your home).
But the truth is, they are fantastic hiders and you may rarely see them. Know that as much as you don’t want to find basement bugs, they don’t want to be found! After all, they’ve likely got a cushy set-up right where they are.
Fortunately, you can take action against insects in your basement whether you’ve already found them or not. In fact, you can even prevent future basement bugs by being proactive.
How Do I Get Rid of Bugs in my Basement?
We understand that the idea of pests lurking in your basement is troubling. Whether you’ve already seen some insects in your basement or you just want to do what you can to prevent them (knowing that it’s highly probable there are already some there!) investing in a Quarterly Pest Control program is an important step toward reducing your worries.
Of course, if you already have an existing infestation, then that will need to be addressed first.
For instance, when Joshua Tree Pest Control gets a call about a cockroach infestation, we would start them on a custom treatment plan that is specifically targeting the roaches. Because of how fast they multiply, a one-time treatment is not going to be enough to fully get rid of roaches.
We’d likely come back periodically until that problem is completely taken care of.
But after addressing an infestation, we’d move into a Quarterly Program in which we’re preventing future problems. Or, if you don’t have a full-blown infestation, a Quarterly Program can be started right away.
Living with Peace of Mind
At the end of the day, basements don’t have to be so scary!
After all, they’re another area of your home offering space where you should be able to hang out or enter without any fears.
While we can’t stop you from watching that horror movie that has you freaked out by the basement, we can at least help you feel confident that unwanted pests aren’t lurking. By taking care of basement bugs, you can gain valuable peace of mind that your home is safe from nasty pests.
If you're interested in learning more about pest control services for your Buxmont or Lehigh Valley, PA home, contact us for a free pest control quote or give us a call at 610-365-4858 so that we can answer your questions.
