Woodlice

Bath and North East Somerset Council Does Not provide a pest control service for the treatment of Woodlice.

FAQ’s

  1. What do they look like?
  2. Where do they live? 
  3. What do they eat?
  4. Do they live inside?
  5. Are they a health hazard?
  6. Can they be a problem?
  7. How can I control them?
  8. What products can I use to get rid of them?
  9. How do I use the insecticide safely?

Answers

  1. Adult woodlice are slate grey in colour, have 7 pairs of legs and are between 2.5 to 18mm long. They are crustaceans and are closely related to crabs and lobsters. They evolved to live on land but still need damp conditions in order to survive.
  2. They live in the garden in dark damp places and hide during the day.
  3. They live on decaying vegetable matter, dead insects, fungi and leaves and roots of young plants. 
  4. They come inside during the winter and spring to get away from the cold.  However, once inside a dry warm room they die from lose of water.  Vacuuming is the best way to deal with woodlice inside the property.
  5. They are not a risk to human health.
  6. Woodlice do not harm people or damage buildings but can still be a nuisance.
  7. Woodlice can be controlled by a number of methods, you can prevent them coming into you property by sealing entry points with draught excluders around windows and doors.  Remove any potential shelters near the property eg. Plant points and apply a crawling insect powder suitable for the garden where they live.
  8. Suitable crawling insect powders for outdoor use can be bought from most hardware stores and garden centres. If necessary a general purpose aerosol for crawling insects can be used. Please ensure that you read the label carefully to ensure that you follow the instructions.
  9. Always take great care when using insecticides. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not place insecticides where children or animals can come into contact with them. Wash hands immediately after use. 

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