Will a Dehumidifier Help with Spiders and Roaches in My Home?

The short answer is yes; it does help. Dehumidifiers work by reducing the relative humidity in your home. This makes it harder for common bugs (like cockroaches, spiders, silverfish, earwigs, centipedes, etc.) to survive because they need moisture from the environment to live.

Spiders and roaches, in general, like to thrive in dark places with high humidity like basements, kitchens, and bathrooms.

So by running a dehumidifier in these areas, you can make your home much less inviting to these pests.

It is important to empty the water reservoir frequently and keep the filter clean, or else your dehumidifier won’t work well.

What if I Need to Use a Humidifier?

I can understand that if you live in a dry climate, you may need to use a humidifier that can add moisture to the air rather than a dehumidifier.

This is because low humidity can cause static electricity, cracks in woodwork and furniture, and respiratory problems.

If you already have a problem with spiders or roaches, using a humidifier will only worsen the problem.

With that, I don’t mean you cannot use a humidifier. Well, you can, but you will be a bit prepared and strategic.

Here are some tips you can follow, so your Humidifier doesn’t attract bugs.

1- Watch the humidity levels closely:

If you are using a humidifier, be sure to keep an eye on the relative humidity in your home. If You don’t want that, it should be too high, making your home more inviting to pests.

A humidity level between 30% and 50% is ideal. You can measure the humidity in your home with a hygrometer.

2- Use distilled water:

If you can, use distilled water in your humidifier. This will help reduce mold and bacteria growth in the unit, which can attract bugs.

3- Clean your Humidifier regularly:

Be sure to clean your Humidifier according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This will help to prevent the build-up of mold and bacteria, which can attract bugs.

4- Keep doors and windows closed:

If you are using a humidifier, make sure to keep doors and windows closed so that the moist air doesn’t escape and bugs don’t come in.

5- Keep your home clean and sealed properly:

A clean trash free home is a less inviting place for bugs. Make sure to vacuum and clean regularly. Also, you should seal up any cracks or holes that pests could use to get into your home.

6- Only use the Humidifier when needed:

If you don’t need to use a humidifier, then don’t. Spiders and roaches are more likely to be attracted to your home if there is a constant source of moisture.

So, switching off the device when not in use is good.

7- Keep an eye out for pests:

If you are following all these tips, there is still a possibility that you will see spiders or roaches in your home.

If you do see pests, don’t panic. To get rid of them, you can do so many things.

You can vacuum them up, use a spider catcher, or call an exterminator.

Using Dehumidifier: Still, There are Bugs!

If you are in a place with high humidity, you must use a dehumidifier instead. But what if you use a dehumidifier and still see pests in your home?

It could have some reasons for this.

1- The dehumidifier isn’t working properly:

If you see pests in your home, even though you are using a dehumidifier, First have to check whether or not the unit is working properly.

You can check the water reservoir to see if it is full. If it is, then the unit isn’t draining properly, and you will need to clean it out.

You should also check the filter to see if it is clean. A dirty filter can limit the dehumidifier’s performance and cause it to work less effectively.

2- The humidity level in your home is still too high:

Even if your dehumidifier is working properly, it may not be able to lower the humidity level in your home enough to make a difference.

This could be because your home is very large or because there are a lot of sources of moisture in your home (such as a leaky pipe).

If this is the case, you may need to use a more powerful dehumidifier or take other steps to reduce the moisture in your home.

3- You have an infestation:

If you have an infestation of spiders or roaches, they may be coming into your home from outside.

In this case, you will need to take steps to prevent them from coming in, sealing up cracks and holes in your home.

You can use an insecticide inside and outside of your home to get rid of the infestation.

4- The pests are coming from your neighbor’s home:

If you live in an apartment or other shared living space, the pests may come from your neighbor’s home.

In this case, you will need to talk to your neighbor about the problem and see if they are willing to take steps to eliminate the pests.

You may also need to contact your landlord or the management of your building to see if they can help resolve the issue.

5- The dehumidifier isn’t the only thing attracting pests:

There may be other factors that are attracting pests to your home, even if you are using a dehumidifier.

For example, if you have food or garbage lying around, that will attract bugs. So, be sure to keep your home clean and free of clutter.

You have to be sure that there is no water leaking from pipes or appliances, as that can attract roaches and other pests.

Many times, if you are using the dehumidifier too much all the time, it could be causing the humidity level in your home to drop too low.

This could make your home less comfortable and attract pests like dust mites.

So, if you are using a dehumidifier, be sure to keep an eye on the humidity level in your home and only use the unit when necessary.

The conclusion

A dehumidifier can help you eliminate spiders and roaches in your home by reducing the humidity level.

But, if you still see insects and pests, it could be because the dehumidifier isn’t working properly, the humidity level is still too high, you have an infestation, or the pests are coming from your neighbor’s home.

So, check the unit and take other steps to reduce the moisture in your home. Hopefully, you can then get rid of those pesky spiders and roaches for good.