Discover How to Get Rid of Woodlice in the Home Naturally

Finding woodlice crawling across your bathroom floor or tucked into a corner of your kitchen isn’t just unsettling—it’s a clear sign your home might be too damp. While these little grey critters aren’t harmful to humans, they can be an ongoing nuisance indoors. In this guide, you’ll learn how to get rid of woodlice in the home naturally without harsh chemicals or expensive pest control. We’ll also explore why they come inside, what they dislike, and how to prevent them from returning.
Whether you’re spotting a few or seeing them daily, tackling woodlice effectively means understanding why they’re there and how to keep them out for good, naturally.

Table of Contents

What Are Woodlice, Really?

Woodlice, often called pill bugs, slaters, or roly-poly, are not insects. They’re crustaceans—more closely related to shrimp and crabs than ants or beetles. You’ll usually find them in gardens under stones, rotting wood, or plant debris. But every now and then, they creep into our homes in search of moisture.

Wondering how many legs does a woodlice has? Each has fourteen legs, arranged in pairs along its segmented body. They’re typically grey or brown, oval-shaped, and have a hard, ridged exoskeleton that makes them easy to spot.

Although mostly harmless, seeing woodlice in house interiors repeatedly often means there’s too much moisture inside.

Why Do Woodlice Come Indoors?

Woodlice thrive in damp, dark conditions. That’s why they’re common in basements, bathrooms, under sinks, and even lofts if guttering leaks or there’s hidden condensation. A few wandering in from the garden might not mean much, but large numbers likely point to an indoor moisture problem.

Here’s why woodlice move indoors:

Leaky pipes or taps
Poor ventilation in bathrooms or kitchens
Damp wooden floors, beams, or furniture
Piles of rotting leaves or mulch up against your house

What Do Woodlice Hate?

If you’re trying to prevent them naturally, it helps to know what do woodlice hate:

Dry air: They need moist environments to survive.
Strong scents: Especially citrus, peppermint, lavender, and coffee.
Light: Woodlice prefer the dark and usually move around at night.
Clean, uncluttered spaces: Clutter traps moisture and gives it hiding spots.

Are Woodlice Harmful?

Not really. Woodlice don’t bite, sting, or carry diseases. However, they may lead to a few small problems, such as:

Damaging damp wooden furniture
Feeding on rotting food or mould in your kitchen
Being unsightly or annoying in bathrooms and bedrooms
You see several woodlice crawling near skirting boards, basements, or under sinks.
There’s dampness, mould, or rot in your home.
You spot damage to old wooden items or cardboard boxes.
They’re gathering on the upper floors (this may indicate a problem in the roof gutters).

How to Get Rid of Woodlice in the Home Naturally

Here are some steps you can follow to solve this problem: How to Get Rid of Woodlice in the Home Naturally.

Step 1: Clean, Dry, and Declutter

Your first step should always be to remove the environment that woodlice love. That means reducing moisture and tidying up.

Clean up:

Vacuum regularly, especially corners, behind furniture, and around doors and windows.
Remove old boxes, papers, and damp cardboard that can act as hiding places or food sources.
Use a dehumidifier in moisture-prone areas like bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements.
Check under sinks and behind toilets for hidden leaks or damp spots.

Once the space is dry and clean, you’ll have made it much less appealing for wood lice.

Step 2: Natural Remedies to Repel Woodlice

Now that your home is less inviting, it’s time to naturally keep them away.

Citrus Peels: Put lemon or orange peels in areas where you often see woodlice, they dislike the strong citrus scent. The oils in citrus fruits naturally repel them. Replace every few days.

Coffee Grounds: Scatter used coffee grounds along skirting boards, window sills, or near entry points. Its powerful smell naturally keeps woodlice away.

Cucumber Slices: Woodlice dislike cucumber. Fresh slices can be left in problem areas overnight, then thrown away in the morning.

Essential Oils: Combine water with a few drops of peppermint, lavender, or tea tree oil in a spray bottle. Lightly mist areas like skirting boards, door frames, and any damp spots.

Pro Tip: Reapply the spray every few days or after wiping down surfaces for lasting protection.

Step 3: DIY Traps to Catch Woodlice

If you’re still seeing woodlice indoors, you can trap them humanely and remove them.

Newspaper Trap

Roll up a slightly damp newspaper and place it in problem areas overnight to attract woodlice.
In the morning, you’ll likely find several hiding inside.
Toss the whole thing into your outdoor compost or bin.

Potato Trap

Cut a raw potato in half.
Hollow out the centre and place it flat-side down.
Check it the next morning and dispose of any woodlice you’ve caught.

These traps are simple but effective for cutting down their numbers without chemicals.

Step 4: Prevent Future Infestations

Getting rid of current woodlice is great, but preventing more is even better. Here’s how:

1. Fix leaks and improve ventilation

Repair leaky taps, pipes, or overflow drains.
Open windows daily or install extractor fans where needed.
Use dehumidifiers in basements, kitchens, or poorly ventilated areas.

2. Seal entry points

Use silicone or expanding foam to seal cracks in walls and floors.
Install door sweeps and fix broken window seals.
Repair loose vents or gaps around pipes.

3. Improve garden maintenance

Clear away fallen leaves and decaying plant matter from the area surrounding your home’s foundation.
Avoid storing firewood or mulch against exterior walls.
Clean gutters regularly to stop moisture from building near your roofline.

When Should You Call a Professional?

If you’ve tried every natural method and you’re still seeing lots of woodlice in house areas every day, it might be time to bring in an expert. Persistent sightings could mean deeper issues like rising damp, damaged guttering, or wall cavities full of moisture.

A pest control professional can:

Inspect your home for hidden damp problems
Treat hard-to-reach infestation spots
Give you expert advice to stop the cycle

Final Thoughts

Woodlice aren’t the worst pests you’ll ever deal with, but they are a sign that something’s not right in your home. Dampness, clutter, and poor ventilation make the perfect space for these tiny crustaceans.

Now that you know how to get rid of woodlice in the home naturally, you can handle them without chemicals or stress. Clean, dry, and declutter your space. Use citrus, coffee, and essential oils to repel them. Set traps to remove the few that remain. And most importantly, prevent their return by sealing your home and reducing moisture.

Take a natural, simple, and effective approach, and enjoy a woodlice-free home once and for all.
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