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Bob Newey
Member
90 Posts |
 Posted - 31 Jan 2006 : 20:32:36
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I�ve had a call from somebody who says he has woodlice (and his description sounds like they are). They are mainly in his bedroom and a few in the hallway and front room.
I�ve asked him if it�s humid and damp and he says not(although I have my doubts). He�s been treating them with one of those crawling insect and ant powders you can get from the DIY store and has been doing so for 3 months. Although it seems to be killing some it isn�t getting rid completely.
I�m assuming they�re in his wall cavity and have told him to look for and seal any possible entry points such as pipe surroundings or cables, or the top/bottom of the skirting board. But as far a eradication is concerned hows the best way to go about it if they are in the cavity, and what (if any) implications are there because of the fact that they carry their eggs inside them instead of laying them separately like most insects do? They could of course be under his floorboards in which case would the above sealing be enough?
Being a new kid in the pest business and never having come across these I�m not sure as to the best treatment other than an application of Ficam or suchlike and I don�t want to quote for the job until I know a bit more about what to do.
Any suggestions/tips/pearls of wisdom form you experienced boys would be much appreciated.
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Dog-rat
Member
United Kingdom
76 Posts |
Posted - 01 Feb 2006 : 07:45:46
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Bob
You could do a treatment using ficam w spraying all entrance points, and setting up a barrier spray as you would an ant treatment, you have covered most of the bases by the sound of it, if it was me I would let the customer know that the treatment will HELP the situation but not cure it, if that is not what they want to here Walk away from it. |
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happy go lucky
Starting Member
United Kingdom
6 Posts |
Posted - 01 Feb 2006 : 07:47:29
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if the room is not damp could ther be decaying vegitation near the external walls i.e leaf litter etc which may harbour the initial activity.
only treatment i,ve ever carried out for them insecticidal barier |
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Bob Staines
Senior Member
United Kingdom
137 Posts |
Posted - 01 Feb 2006 : 08:14:29
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| i remember when i was training at bigR there was a farm house that was crawling with the things and the surveyor said it would be a suck it and see treatment, every posible gap and crack, under kitchen units etc. every possible exitpoint was treated with ficamW or ficamD blasted in. the loft was quite extensive so a couple of smoke bombs in there. i think you just need to look at every room individualy and treat every possible place. you could also use clear silicone. you cant stop his gaff being targeted by the blighters but you can keep the buggers out. do a treat and book a follow up in 3 months. |
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bugsy
Starting Member
United Kingdom
2 Posts |
Posted - 01 Feb 2006 : 21:28:00
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Hi guys and girls
Seems to me youve missed the point a little,woodlice you see are not insects, you can tell this by the number of legs you know. Crustations need to be fairly damp to survive, even in a damp house it is normaly to dry for them this is why you find lots of dead ones.
Filling any gaps and cracks and brush strips on doors will reduce numbers,also removal of harbourage areas near to entrance doors i.e. plant pots,udergrowth and other damp traps will reduce numbers.
Using insectacide will just make them die more quickly once indoors.
You really need to know your quarry before you take them on.
Know your quarry before you take them on. |
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Bob Staines
Senior Member
United Kingdom
137 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2006 : 08:35:37
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thanx for biology lesson bugsy.
what is your solution to problem. homeowner wants to stop seeing woodlice in his bed, what do you do. cost is important.
perhaps dehumidifier in each room. may work,will kill slower than ficam though and cost will be horrendous.
am just trying to think of a quick , affordable way. |
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alan
New Member
United Kingdom
15 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2006 : 18:53:46
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| slaters or woodlice as was previously mentioned are not insects they are crustations with 7 pairs legs with gills on the legs for breathing. insecticial treatments will help to reduce numbers but will never erradicate the problem. they are not an infesting species but commonly know as casual intruders. proofing is the best approach, repointing brickwork, sealing around window & door frames internally and externally. pay particular attention around the inside of new pvc windows below the sills are usually bad as you cant see the gaps from above. we stopped doing treatments for slaters cos it just don't work! people just keep phoning back and telling you "you cant do your job right they are still here!" good luck |
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bugsy
Starting Member
United Kingdom
2 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2006 : 21:30:40
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Sorry guys and gals but I dont have a sure fire answer to get rid of these woodlice,granygreys,pill bugs or whatever you want to call them,however if youve read Alans contribution he seems to know where its at.
Sometimes we can only keep casual intruders to a minimum.
I am convinced at least one would turn up in a sealed box after a few months.
The term pill bugs is an old wives tail,aparently there good for indigestion,though I have never tried it 'HONEST'
Know your quarry before you take them on. |
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NickA
Hyperactive Member
United Kingdom
802 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2006 : 22:00:21
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Decaying wood is obviously first point to find under kitchen units where taps located,are they bringing firewood in. Seal up holes cracks leading into house, use dessicant type powder, or Ficam-keeps your options open (COSHH & Risk Assessment), or if occupants have chemical allergies.
Check exterior brickwork in case coating cracking, woodlice might be sheltering there.
Prevention for protection |
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Bob Newey
Member
90 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2006 : 09:20:06
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Thanks for your input boys. Now I can go back to them and sound as if I really know what I'm talking about  |
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Helen
Moderator
United Kingdom
69 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2006 : 09:59:29
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When i was at uni in leeds we had a massive infestation there was nothing casual about it. The kitchen floor and downstair rooms were covered everyday. It didn't really bother us but it did the EHO who came to inspect the house. Turns out the house was breaching no end of legislation and the estate agents were told not to relet it! Anyway the woodlice went on the list along with the windows, boiler, damp etc and the council sent out a man to spray the entire down stairs. Needless to say we moved out and got our rent and deposit back.
Helen
Luxan(UK)Ltd |
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Dusty
Senior Member
Australia
439 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2006 : 06:37:51
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What has label registration to treat wood lice? Am assuming they are what we call Slaters (Porcellio scaber)
Don't feed them, get Rid of them |
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kelz
Starting Member
United Kingdom
1 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2007 : 00:58:58
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hello every1, ive read many of the comments and know how 2 reduce woodlice, however i want 2 get rid of them. they are in the bathroom and seem 2 be breeding in the pannel of the bath. can anyone help please?
thank u |
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splatman
Junior Member
United Kingdom
26 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2007 : 18:50:47
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Hi Kelz,
There really is only one way to rid yourself of these critters. Take away their harbourage and food! Woodlice are not a pest problem per se, but are symptomatic of a wider problem such as damp and/or rot. I have always suggested to people to contact a damp proofing expert to have walls and timbers treated, the live woddlice can be easily swept up and disposed of without the use of insecticides. You could spend good money on a pest control treatment, but remember, a)These aren't insects and b)When the insecticide breaks down, sure as eggs are eggs, they'll be back! There is an old treatment I read about years ago which costs nothing, but it involves urinating in a bowl and painiting it over the rotting wood (aparantly the salts kill them off rather quickly). I'm sure these days anyway it's probably illegal!! Anyway, heres a rather informative site I found on the subject, Dusty will probably like it too..... http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/7649/woodlice/wlicebak.htm |
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Dusty
Senior Member
Australia
439 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2007 : 04:13:06
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Nice find Splat. A good article that even a dumb Aussie could follow.
Having just re-read all of this thread, it seems that the one piece of advice that was not given was to treat the mulch and rotting vegetation. Have had excellent results by broadacre spraying the garden beds where covered with mulch. Wall voids also, by all means, but the buggers have to come from somewhere, and far better to nip things in the bud (so to speak)by treating that somewhere (rotting vegetation)
Don't feed them, get Rid of them |
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Topic |
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Woodlice
