Mechanical and Physical Control Methods for Indoor and Occasional Invader Pests

When you’re dealing with pests like sowbugs, bed bugs, pillbugs, boxelder bugs, elm seed bugs, western conifer seed bugs, brown marmorated stink bugs, clothes moths, Indian meal moths, and woodlice, mechanical and physical control means taking actions that physically remove, block, or change the environment so these pests can’t survive or do damage inside your living space. Mechanical and physical methods don’t involve chemicals—they focus on cleaning, sealing, trapping, and sometimes changing humidity or temperature. These methods are safe for people and pets, and, when done thoroughly and consistently, are very effective for all the pests in this group.

Detailed Step-by-Step Mechanical/Physical Control Process

• Thorough and Regular Cleaning Pests from this list are often attracted to crumbs, spilled food, or areas with built-up dust, lint, or debris. Regular vacuuming, sweeping, and wiping down surfaces—especially in hard-to-reach places like behind furniture, along baseboards, under appliances, and inside closets or pantries—removes both the pests and their eggs or larvae. Use a vacuum with a good filter for bed bugs and moth larvae, paying close attention to mattress seams, crevices, and upholstered items. Always empty vacuum bags immediately into a sealed plastic bag, and take it outside so pests cannot escape back into the house.
• Reduce Moisture and Humidity Many of these pests—including sowbugs, pillbugs, and woodlice—love damp environments. Fix any leaks, use dehumidifiers in basements or other damp areas, and make sure your bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms are well ventilated. Wipe down wet surfaces and fix dripping pipes as soon as possible.
• Seal Entry Points Most insects and arthropods get into homes by squeezing through tiny cracks, gaps around doors and windows, or spaces in foundations or siding. Carefully inspect the exterior of your house—including doors, windows, vents, and utility pipe entries—and fill any gaps with quality caulk or expanding foam. Install weatherstripping on doors and windows and repair or replace torn window screens.
• Encourage Dry, Uncluttered Storage For pests like clothes moths, Indian meal moths, and bed bugs, clutter provides hiding spots and protection. Store items in plastic bins with tight-fitting lids rather than cardboard boxes. For clothing and fabrics, use sealed containers and clean items before storage. Periodically inspect and clean stored food and textiles, throwing out anything suspicious or infested immediately into an outdoor bin.
• Use Physical Barriers and Traps Traps can catch pests such as moths and crawling insects. Pheromone traps are available for Indian meal or clothes moths, attracting and trapping them so you can monitor or reduce their numbers. Placing sticky traps along walls, in closets, pantries, or wherever you see pest activity can help catch invaders and monitor infestations. For bed bugs, special mattress encasements prevent them from hiding in your bed and make any infestation much easier to spot.
• Direct Removal Whenever you see these pests, use a vacuum, dustpan, or even your hand (with a tissue or glove) to pick them up and remove them. Flush them down the toilet or place them in a sealed bag before disposing outside. This method is especially useful when only a few pests are present.
• Temperature and Environmental Manipulation Some pests are sensitive to extreme temperatures. Launder infested bedding, clothing, or fabrics with hot water and dry in a hot dryer for at least 30 minutes to kill bed bugs and moths. Freezing infested items for several days (at temperatures below 0°F or -18°C) can also work for small objects. Use caution and avoid heat or freezing for items that could be damaged.

Ongoing Inspection and Monitoring

Keep inspecting areas where you found pests. Look behind furniture, inside pantries, closets, and near moisture. Early detection of new activity can prevent a small problem from growing. Maintaining these physical and mechanical controls regularly is key: pests from the listed group often return seasonally or whenever food, moisture, or shelter becomes available.

By following these mechanical and physical steps carefully and keeping up with them, you’ll dramatically reduce or even eliminate these pests, often with no need for any chemicals at all. This approach is thorough, safe, and long-lasting when done with attention and consistency.