Why Bugs Like Your Basement – and How to Help Deter Them

Posted by Mosquito Squad

January 9, 2025

Because basements are often dark, quiet, damp, and full of hiding spots, they can be an attractive home for pests. But these unwelcome guests are not an attractive thing to deal with in your home!

Fortunately, with the right preventative measures and deterrents, you can keep your basement from becoming a haven for insects.

Why Do Bugs Like Basements?

Basements often hold more moisture than the rest of a home – especially if they lack ventilation or have leaky pipes. Many basements are used for storage and are filled with boxes, old furniture, and other clutter. These items provide hiding places for pests to nest and breed. Cardboard boxes are a favorite among pests like roaches and rodents because they are easy to chew through for shelter.

Additionally, small cracks in the foundation, poorly sealed windows, utility lines, pipes, and vents create entryways. These small points of entry are often overlooked and make basements vulnerable to infestations.

Common Basement Bugs

If you have a basement that lends itself to becoming a home for pests, some of the most common pests you might encounter include:

Cockroaches
Silverfish
Rodents (mice and rats)
Spiders
Ants
Flies
Centipedes and millipedes

That’s right – your basement is vulnerable to infestations beyond bugs. Small rodents like mice and rats have powerful teeth and jaws and can gnaw through most surfaces, including wood! They also have flexible rib cages made of cartilage that allow them to squeeze through small spaces.

How to Keep Bugs Out of Your Basement

Now that we know why pests are attracted to basements, here’s how you can keep them out of yours:

Step 1: Make the space less welcoming.

Want to post a “no vacancy” sign for basement pests? Start by using a dehumidifier to reduce moisture in the air, especially in the summer. Prevent condensation by insulating exposed pipes.

Next, remove hiding spots by minimizing clutter and switching out cardboard boxes for plastic storage bins with tight-fitting lids. Store boxes and loose items on shelves to keep them off the ground and sweep, vacuum, and dust regularly to deny pests potential nesting materials.

Step 2: Reduce entry points.

Seal entry points to prevent new pests from getting inside. Inspect walls, windows, and the foundation for small cracks and gaps. Seal any you find with caulk or expanding foam. You can use mesh screens on vents, windows, and other openings to help keep pests out.

Step 3: Bother existing basement pests with natural repellents.

Spray diluted peppermint oil around the basement to get existing pests to pack up and leave! Peppermint oil is a natural repellent for rodents, spiders in basements, and more. Citrus and lavender essential oils can also be used as a basement bug repellent for pests like ants and spiders.

Skip the Steps: Get professional pest control.

Whether you have a persistent pest problem or want to prevent an infestation, consider Squad Home Shield service from your local Mosquito Squad^®. Our local professionals will identify and target potential entry points outside your home. Our all-in-one treatment kills pests on contact and deters others from getting inside for up to 21 days.

Call Us and Ban Bugs from Your Basement!

Your basement doesn’t have to be a refuge for pests. Combine regular basement maintenance with professional basement pest control to help prevent pests from ever getting inside. Together, these solutions provide the ultimate protection against an infested basement.

Contact the specialists at your local Squad^® today at (877) 332-2239 or request a quote online.