Woodlice Problem

[stevenrafferty]

We recently recarpeted our sitting room, having lifted a wooden floor, which was over the original floor boards. We now seem to have a daily appearance of woodlive in the room (only 1 or 2 a day). It would seem that they are getting into the roof from a cupboard housing the c/h boiler, via a hole in the floor, which was previously covered by the wood floor.

I read that woodlice like to live in damp conditions, feeding off rotting wood, amongst other things. This has now get me worried that I have a damp problem under my floor!

The house is circa 100 years old, stone built, with timber suspended floors, with a void under the floor of circa 2 ft, with a dirt base. When I lifted the wooden floor, everything appeared to be dry with not other signs of damp.

Anyone have any ideas if the woodlice will just be living in the dirt 2 ft away from my floor or if this is a likely sign I have a problem. I am planning to cover the hole in the floor of the cupboard so this should stop the woodlice coming into the room

thanks

 

[2scoops0406]

You're right in that woodlice eat dead wood. Even thuogh you may not be able to detect dampness by visual inspection, I would be concerned that the act of putting a carpet down over the boards has stopped adequate ventilation below the floor. I would take steps to ensure that adequate underfloor ventilation is provided, possibly in the form of extra airbricks.

 

[stevenrafferty]

I wouldn't have thought that the air circulation has changed at all since I removed the wooden flooring and replaced with carpet.

I had to replace damaged floorboards when I took up the overlaid floor, so had the opportunity to check the under the floor