0141 459 1542KlarnaClearpay 24/7: phone answered around the clock AboutServices Service Areas Our WorkReviewsContact0141 459 1542Get a Free Quote Pest guide # Woodlice & Slaters(Oniscidea spp.) Known across Scotland as slaters, woodlice are harmless but unwelcome. Seeing lots of them indoors usually means damp somewhere in the building. Here is how to identify them, why they come in, and how we deal with them. Call 0141 459 1542Get a free quote - Home - Woodlice & Slaters ## Appearance Woodlice are not insects. They are small land-living crustaceans, related to crabs and shrimps, and most species found in UK homes are between 5 and 15 mm long. They have an oval, flattened body made of overlapping armoured plates, usually slate grey to brown, which is where the Scottish name "slater" comes from. Look closely and you will see seven pairs of short legs and a pair of jointed antennae. Some species, often called pill bugs, roll into a tight ball when disturbed to protect their softer underside. Young woodlice look like pale, miniature adults and darken as they moult and grow. ## Habitat Woodlice breathe through gill-like structures that must stay moist, so they live where it is dark and damp: under stones, logs, leaf litter, compost heaps, decking and plant pots. In Glasgow's wet climate, gardens and the ground around older tenements and sandstone villas provide ideal conditions. Indoors they head for the dampest spots: under sinks, behind baths and showers, in cellars, basements, utility rooms and conservatories, and along walls affected by rising or penetrating damp. Poor ventilation, blocked air bricks, leaking pipework and soil piled against external walls all make a property more attractive to them. ## Behaviour Woodlice feed mainly on decaying plant material, rotting wood and mould, which makes them useful recyclers in the garden. They are active at night and spend the day hidden in tight, humid crevices, often in groups, because clustering together helps them hold on to moisture. Females carry their eggs in a pouch under the body until the young hatch, and a healthy population can build steadily over the warmer months. Numbers coming indoors often rise after heavy rain or in late summer and autumn, when they look for sheltered, damp places. ## Why are woodlice considered a pest? Woodlice do not bite, sting, carry disease or damage sound structures. The problem is what they indicate. A steady stream of slaters indoors almost always points to excess moisture: a leak, condensation, failing pointing, a damp-proof issue or poor ventilation. Left alone, those same conditions lead to mould and timber decay. They are also simply unpleasant to find in large numbers in kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms, and for landlords, letting agents and food businesses they can cause complaints. In greenhouses and conservatories they can damage seedlings and soft fruit. ## Signs of a woodlice infestation - Regular sightings. Woodlice seen most mornings, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms and cellars. They feed at night, so daytime sightings suggest larger numbers. - Dead woodlice on floors. Clusters of dried-out woodlice along skirting boards or near doors are a common sign they are getting in from outside. - Damp and mould. Condensation, damp patches, mould or a musty smell in the same rooms where woodlice appear. - Small grey droppings. Tiny dark specks near where they shelter, under mats, behind skirting and around plant pots. - Nibbled plants. Small holes in seedlings and soft leaves on houseplants, conservatories and greenhouses. ## How to prevent woodlice getting in - Fix leaking taps, pipes and gutters, and deal with condensation. - Improve ventilation in bathrooms, kitchens, cellars and sub-floor voids. - Seal gaps around door thresholds, skirting boards, pipework and window frames. - Keep air bricks clear and move soil, logs and leaf litter away from external walls. - Move compost heaps and stacked plant pots away from the house. ## How we deal with woodlice We start with a survey to find where the woodlice are coming from and what is keeping them alive indoors. Where numbers justify it, we apply a professional treatment around entry points and harbourage areas, then show you the gaps and damp spots that need attention so the problem does not come straight back. Titan Pest Control is a family-run Glasgow business. We are RSPH accredited and carry £5m public liability insurance, and every job is quoted clearly before any work starts. If the woodlice turn out to be a sign of a bigger issue, such as rodents or other insects using the same gaps, we will tell you. See our insect control service or browse all our pest control services. ## Woodlice FAQs Are woodlice harmful?No. Woodlice do not bite, sting or spread disease, and they do not damage sound timber or furniture. They are a nuisance rather than a danger, but large numbers indoors usually point to a damp problem that is worth fixing. Why do I keep finding slaters in my house?Slaters need moisture to breathe. They come indoors through gaps at ground level and settle where it is damp: around leaking pipes, under sinks, in bathrooms, cellars and along walls with rising or penetrating damp. Will woodlice survive inside my home?Not for long in a dry, heated room. They dry out quickly, which is why you often find dead woodlice on floors. If they are surviving and breeding indoors, there is a source of moisture keeping them alive. Can you get rid of woodlice for good?Treatment knocks numbers down, but long-term control depends on reducing damp and sealing entry points. We treat the problem, show you where they are coming in and advise on the changes that stop them returning. Do woodlice damage garden plants?Mostly they eat decaying leaves and wood, but in large numbers they can nibble seedlings, soft fruit and plants in greenhouses. ## Slaters in your home? Call 0141 459 1542 Phone answered 24/7, or send us the details below and we will get back to you. 24/7 pest control, bird control and wildlife management for homes and businesses across Glasgow and the surrounding areas. 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