Do woodworms pose a threat to humans and how are they dangerous to plants, homes and pets?

Woodlice are small pests that breed and live in high humidity. The land under the stones and fallen leaves, rotten trunks and tree stumps are the optimal habitat for wood lice.

If they wound up in an apartment, this is an indicator of increased humidity and the presence of dampness. They do not represent extreme danger to people, but they affect the emotional state, causing disgust and hostility.

Do these insects bite?

Fortunately, the structure of the oral apparatus of arthropods of this species does not allow them to bite. The only thing that woodlice can do is eat soft and small parts of plants.as well as organic product residues. Among the characteristics of woodlice - the lack of ability to eat living microorganisms.

You can find more information about how wood lice are eaten in this article.

What is the harm?

Is there any danger to the health of people or pets in the presence of these insects in an apartment or private house? One of the main negative factors should be called their unpleasant, repulsive appearance and the desire to live in a chosen place as a whole colony.

In people with increased emotional sensitivity, constant visual contact with these organisms can cause stress or even a nervous breakdown. Otherwise, wood lice are not dangerous to human health.

Woodlice do not penetrate the human body, do not infect drinking water, do not make sounds during movement, and also do not bite. However, these seemingly harmless crustaceans, can be dangerous, carrying on their limbs the causative agents of infectious diseases. This is because they feed on decayed plants and the remains of organisms.

Most often, they can be found in toilets, basements and in the bathroom. If you notice wood lice, be sure to pay attention to the sewage system in the house. Perhaps in the place where the water flows, you will find a whole colony of these individuals, the reproduction of which is quite active.

We talked more about the reasons why wood lice can appear in a house or apartment here, and you will learn about the reasons for their appearance in the bathroom and toilet from this material.

For plants

Woodlice pose a serious danger to all, without exception, indoor green plants.

The main harm is as follows:

• the root is damaged;
• leaf integrity is impaired;
• inflorescences are destroyed;
• soil is compacted (prevents plants from developing and growing).

If it is not possible to completely get rid of individuals in 10-14 days, then the plants will simply be eaten.

For an apartment

If wood lice appeared in the apartment, then there is a problem with the plumbing system and fluid accumulates somewhere. With the growth of the colony, the appetite of wood lice also grows, so in the house, most of the time, domestic plants (especially those that grow in fertile soil) are onslaught.

If wood lice are wound up in the basement, then their food can be various vegetables and fruits left for the winter. Potato sprouts are especially “liked” by woodlice. They do not carry any more threat to their home.

For pets

For pets, as well as for humans, wood lice pose no threat, because they are not able to bite and bring an infection into the blood. Owners of rare species of spiders specifically breed crustaceans in suitable conditions for this to feed them. Woodlice are a good source of protein.

Should a person fight these insects or not?

It is imperative to deal with these crustaceans, and only a comprehensive approach will bring a positive result.

1. The indicator of humidity in the room decreases, the condition of the water supply system and sections of the sewer system are checked.
2. In the bathroom and toilet, the cracks and seams between tiles and other elements are necessarily closed.
3. In the bathrooms, cleanliness and sterility should be maintained in order to rid the wood lice from ideal conditions for life and reproduction.

After the items listed are done and verified, they proceed to additional methods:

• The use of chemicals - walls, ceilings and floors are carefully treated with “Mole”, “Gett” or “Tarrax” preparations (personal protective equipment is required when using them).
• Mechanical method of struggle - in the habitat of the colony of woodlice, a broom moistened with water is left for 1 night. During the night, wood lice are moved to twigs and in the morning you just need to take it out to the street and carefully shake them. Be prepared for the fact that this procedure will have to be repeated 2 to 5 times.
• Folk recipes - Take 5-7 large potatoes and make holes in them in which woodlice could crawl. Vegetables are left overnight in the basement (at the site of the accumulation of individuals), and in the morning they are taken out and destroyed in the fire. Additionally, the places of accumulation of crustaceans can be treated with water, in which salt, tobacco and red pepper powder are diluted.

We offer you to watch a video with popular folk recipes against wood lice:

More information on how to get rid of the presence of wood lice in the apartment can be found here.

The complex application of the above methods will allow you to quickly and effectively get rid of these individuals in your home. It’s not worth putting up with the presence of such “residents” in your house or apartment, despite the fact that they do not affect human health and do not bite. If the colony of these organisms is not eliminated in time, indoor plants and vegetables with fruits that you have prepared for the winter will suffer.

Watch the video: Pest organism (December 2024).