How to Control Wood Lice in Your Garden & Home

Home

• 1

  Check the base of the exterior walls of your home for evidence of excess moisture around the foundation. Remove any wood, planters, debris, stones or mulch that may provide places for wood lice to feed, breed and hide.

• 2

  Inspect your roof and gutter systems for evidence of leaks or improper water drainage that may contribute to the collection of water under the house or in the walls.

• 3

  Close any gaps around windows and doors that may allow wood lice to enter your home. Apply caulk around kitchen and bathroom plumbing where the pipes enter your home.

• 4

  Spray pesticides around the foundations of your house to further kill the lice or discourage their entry. Target potential wood lice entrances, such as cracks, crevices, and under exterior stair steps. Choose residual insecticides that continue to kill or repel the lice for days or weeks after treatments.

Garden

• 5

  Locate and remove any rocks, bricks, pieces of wood, planters or unneeded compost piles that may provide breeding and hiding places for wood lice.

• 6

  Locate and clear away rotting plant matter, such as leaf piles, wood chips, bark, rotting firewood, weeds or trash.

• 7

  Avoid overwatering the soil in your garden. Eliminate air flow obstacles that may keep garden soil from drying between watering.

• 8

  Apply diatomaceous earth to kill wood lice in your garden instead of residual insecticides.