Basement Insects

The basement region can be a breeding ground for insects because the area is seldom used and is usually filled with old, used items and other knick-knacks. Cracks and gaps in the foundation and walls, along with the dampness, allow insects to survive in the basement.

The recycling bin in your basement is the favorite haunt of fruit flies, drain flies, phorid flies, and sphaerocerid flies. They feed on rotted vegetables, garbage, and damp organic materials. Termites are another group living in the basement. These insects damage wood products kept in the basement, and the muddy tunnels you find beside the foundation of the interior or exterior walls indicate their presence. Cockroaches of several types are common basement insects, and they may cause health hazards such as food poisoning, dysentery, and diarrhea.

Wood boring beetles, bees and wasps that frequent the basement may cause serious damage to the building. The cigarette beetle commonly found in the basement feeds on pet food, cereals, nuts, and candy placed there. Fabrics are destroyed by insects such as the webbing moth and case-making moth. The black carpet beetle, varied carpet beetle, and furniture carpet beetle destroy carpets stored in the basement. As in other parts of the house, you may find ants inhabiting your basement. Carpenter ants burrow into wood but they do not feed on wood.

Silverfish are small nocturnal insects without wings that survive in old books and clothes in the basement. These insects destroy books by feeding on the glue in the binding. Crickets survive in the moist basement and can be identified by their chirping. Fabrics, food and paper products are some materials which they feed on. The Indian meal moth and Mediterranean flour moth are night flying insects commonly found in the kitchen and basement. Sowbugs and pillbugs are other insects that inhabit a damp basement.

Basement maintenance, removal of unwanted materials, fixing leaks, and proper ventilation help to control insects in the basement.

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