Sow Bug Control

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Best Sow Bug Control Tips That Actually Work in Canada

Rainy nights in spring always bring them out. You flip on the basement light and there they are. Little grey tanks marching across the concrete like they own the place. Sow bugs drive me nuts too but over the years I figured out exactly what keeps my house free of them without going crazy or spending a fortune. If you live anywhere from the wet west coast to soggy southern Ontario these tricks will work for you too.

Why Sow Bugs Show Up At Your House First

They only need two things. Damp and dark. That is it. All the rain we get in Vancouver, Calgary or the Maritimes gives them perfect conditions outside. Then they wander in through tiny cracks looking for more of the same. My old place in Kitchener had water pooling beside the foundation every time the snow melted and guess what. Hundreds of them lived under the back steps. Fix the water and half the battle is already won. Simple as that.

Easy Ways To Make Them Disappear Fast

The first thing I do every April is grab the rake and pull all the mulch and wet leaves away from the house walls. Leave a bare strip about a foot wide. Looks weird for a week but the bugs hate it because it dries out fast. Next I check every downspout. If water shoots straight down beside the foundation I stick on a cheap plastic extender from the hardware store and point it out to the lawn. Takes ten minutes and cuts the problem way down.

Inside I run a small dehumidifier in the basement from May to October. Keeps the air nice and dry and the sow bugs stay outside where they belong. My buddy in Halifax swears by sprinkling food-grade diatomaceous earth along the sill plates. Works like magic and is safe around his dog and kids.

Warm days followed by chilly nights make flies sneaky here. They buzz indoors seeking heat and lay eggs in forgotten corners. Without quick action a few turn into hundreds ruining picnics and stressing kids who swat nonstop. How to prevent house flies in homes pops up in chats from Okotoks to Fort McMurray because nobody wants germs on play areas. Effective steps cut disease risks like tummy bugs from their feet alone. Homes near Nose Hill Park see spikes when winds carry them over fences so sealing screens helps big time. Think of it as shielding your downtime from tiny invaders that multiply on moisture and mess.

Beyond the itch factor they land on everything picking up bacteria from trash then dropping it on food. Busy spots like Cochrane cafes face inspections over fly counts so owners stay vigilant. Regular sweeps around vents and doors spot entry points early saving cleanup headaches. Real talk from a family in Chestermere they trapped dozens with jars then never saw them again after fixing a sink drip. This focus on sources, not just swatting, builds a barrier that lasts through our short hot spells.

When You Need The Pros To Step In

Some years the rain just never stops and they still find a way in. That is when I call Technica Pest Solutions. They come out, spray a safe barrier around the whole house and seal up the little gaps I never notice. Last time they showed me two spots where the siding met the foundation with daylight shining through. Fixed those and I have not seen a single sow bug inside since. Worth every penny for the peace of mind.

How To Stop Them Coming Back Next Year

Keep firewood stacked away from the house and up off the ground. I learned that the hard way when a whole pile turned into sow bug apartments. Clean the gutters twice a year so water never overflows and soaks the soil right next to the walls. If your yard slopes toward the house, dig a shallow trench or add some soil to send the water the other way. Little jobs like that make a huge difference over time.

Quick Answers To The Questions Everyone Asks

Yes pill bugs are cousins but they roll into a ball and sow bugs do not. No they do not eat healthy plants, only stuff that is already rotting. Yes they breathe with gills so dry air sends them packing. And yes if you see a bunch after heavy rain that is normal. Just means it is time to check your drainage again. Take care of the wet spots around your place and sow bugs into somebody else’s problem. Do those few easy things and your basement stays clean and dry all year. When the rain hammers down tonight you can smile knowing those little grey guys are staying outside tonight.

Why choose Technica?

How it works

Step 1

Contact Us

Give us a call at the number below. An expert will answer your questions and get you scheduled.

Step 2

Get Your Estimate

We will provide you a quote tailored for your unique situation and walk you through the process.

Step 3

Removal Complete

A licensed trained technician preforms the removal and sealing work and necessary follow ups needed to ensure complete remediation.

What Customers Says

Cedrick removed a squirrel from my fireplace. It was difficult but he was gentle with the squirrel and took it to be cared for. Greatly appreciated his kindness.

Carol Berrington

Daniel was on time, friendly, and informative with our unwanted squirrel resident. He even noticed another issue and provided us options and a quote. Thank you Daniel! 👏

Crystal Douglas

Frequently Asked Questions

We safely remove squirrels by using one-way doors and exclusion methods that let them leave but prevent them from getting back inside. Once they’re out, we seal entry points to keep your home protected for the long term. If needed, we can also apply deterrents in high-activity areas. This approach not only gets rid of the squirrels but also prevents costly damage to your attic, soffits, and wiring.

Once the squirrels are removed, we seal entry points to stop them from getting back inside. This ensures a permanent solution, not just a temporary fix. Without sealing, new squirrels can easily move in, but with our exclusion work your home stays protected year-round.

Squirrels are excellent climbers and can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps. They often enter through roof vents, soffits, chimneys, and openings along the roofline. Once inside, they quickly start nesting in attics and chewing on wiring or insulation, which can lead to costly repairs. Our service doesn’t just remove the squirrels—we also seal those entry points to keep them out for good and protect your home from future damage.

Our technician will inspect your property, identify any pest problems, and implement a tailored treatment plan. We'll also provide recommendations for preventing future infestations.

Prevent flies from entering by keeping screens tight taking trash out every night and wiping counters dry before bed. A cheap fan blowing out the back door works wonders too because they hate fighting wind.

Sowbugs and pillbugs look almost the same but pill bugs can roll into a tight ball when scared. Sowbugs only curl a little and they both have those tail like appendages at the back. Both love the exact same wet spots around the house.

Heavy rain soaks the ground and pushes them out of damp soil. If you have moisture problems near the foundation they march straight toward your house looking for more high moisture and organic debris to hide under.

They almost never touch healthy plants. Sowbugs feed on decaying plant material and any organic matter that’s already breaking down. If a plant looks chewed it’s usually something else doing the damage.

Pull mulch and leaves away from the walls, run a dehumidifier and make sure gutters shoot water far from the house. The second you reduce moisture they lose interest fast.

 

Keep it under 50 percent down there. Anything higher and basements and crawl spaces turn into five-star hotels for these guys. A cheap hygrometer tells you exactly where you stand.