We have wooden floorboards in our dining room and have recently noticed lots of woodlice. They are a nuisance – how can we get rid of them?

CD, Birmingham

I am often asked about woodlice. They are not insects but crustaceans, so more closely related to crabs and shrimps than to beetles. Unlike most other crustaceans, they live out of water, and no part of their life cycle is dependent on them returning to it. They do, however, need a damp environment to survive. Often, the first sign of infestation is when dead bodies are found on the floor in the morning. These are the adventurous individuals who have not made it back to the safety of their damp home before succumbing to dehydration.

Due to this year’s wet summer, woodlice have prospered and their population has grown, so more of us are seeing them emerge from the woodwork. Check the outside wall and clear anything growing up or stacked against it. If the wall is clad with wooden panels or other loose materials, these may also provide a home for woodlice.

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If your dining room is single-storey or has a flat roof, clear the gutters, drains and roof. If the roof is pitched, check the eaves for abandoned birds’ nests and sweep them out. Check window frames for signs of rot – it is amazing how many woodlice can live in the gap between frames and brickwork. Repair any damage and seal the gaps.

If you still spot woodlice after this, there may be a source of damp beneath the floorboards, which would provide the perfect habitat. This could be due to a defective damp-proof course or condensation. If this is the case, call in a builder.

Richard Strand runs Pest Information Consultancy; rstrand@pestinfo.co.uk

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