Potato bugs are known by several different names, including woodlice, roly poly bugs, pill bugs and sow bugs. They are common outside in moist places, such as under rocks, in gardens and around mulch. However, potato bugs can also live inside your home. They thrive in wet or damp locations such as crawl spaces, basements and bathrooms. Follow a few easy steps to remove potato bugs in your home for good.
Step 1
Vacuum up any potato bugs with the hose on your vacuum. This method works well if you only have a few potato bugs in your home.
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Step 2
Remove excess moisture in your home by using fans and dehumidifiers. Open doors and windows to allow good ventilation.
Step 3
Inspect your gutters on the outside of your home. If they aren't working properly, excessive moisture will accumulate near your home, attracting potato bugs. If your gutters aren't working properly, call a gutter company to repair them.
Step 4
Inspect the foundation of your home. Look for cracks and crevices the potato bugs are using for entrance into your basement or crawl space. Fill in any cracks and crevices with caulk using a caulking gun.
Step 5
Avoid killing spiders. Spiders often feed on potato bugs, so if you see a spider in your home, especially in the basement, leave it alone.
Step 6
Get rid of window planters. Potato bugs often take up residence in these boxes, which gives them easy access to your home around the windows.
Step 7
Use an aerosol insecticide as a last resort. Use extreme caution when using insecticides indoors. Be especially careful if you have children or pets. Allow plenty of ventilation when using aerosol insecticides.
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