What Bug Is Commonly Found Hiding in House Trim?

Conditions

Bugs like to live in sheltered areas that provide them with some protection against predators and other dangers. They may also find the areas near house trim attractive because of all the dust and debris that collects there. For example,carpet beetles may feed on pet fur and human hair trapped underneath baseboard trim. The area may also be humid and warm. Bugs may use the areas near house trim as living quarters and passageways.

Types of Bugs

A wide range of insects hides in house trim, according to Western Association for Art Conservation. These insects include silverfish, spiders, boxelder bugs, carpet beetles, clothes moths, book lice, cockroaches, ants and crickets. Carpenter ants may build their nest behind the wall and may enter through the baseboard trim. Bed bugs like to hide along the baseboards in the bedroom, particularly those located just below the headboard of the bed.

Traps

To find out which bugs hide in your house trim, use sticky traps to capture them. Obtain sticky insect traps from garden centers or home stores. The trap usually comes as a sheet with a sticky substance smeared on both sides. Remove the backing paper of one side to expose the sticky substance then tape the trap on the floor along the baseboards with the sticky side facing up. If you have bugs in your house trim, you will capture some of them with the trap and find out what bugs they are.

Control Methods

You can kill the bugs hiding in your house trim with a crevice or baseboard insecticide, sprayed along the trim as a barrier. Chemicals may not sufficiently control an infestation by some bugs, such as bed bugs. If you prefer not to use chemicals, vacuum the areas along the trim once a week or more frequently to remove the bugs. Sealing the cracks between the house trim and the floor may also trap the bugs inside so they can't bother you.