For many insects, a house is the perfect place to live. It is warm all year round, offers shelter from predators, and provides water and food in the form of crumbs, spills and stored products. Often, the insects you see are just the tip of the iceberg.
Where they hide
Insects favour dark, quiet places that are rarely disturbed:
- behind large appliances such as the fridge, oven and washing machine;
- under sinks and around pipes;
- in cracks in walls, skirting boards and floors;
- in false ceilings and lofts;
- in boxes left untouched for months;
- in wardrobes that are rarely opened;
- in ventilation ducts and insulation.
Damp is the big attraction
Humidity is one of the main reasons insects move in. Leaking pipes, condensation and poor ventilation create damp spots where they can breed — which is why cockroaches, silverfish and spiders are so often found in bathrooms and kitchens. In the Balearics, where summers are humid, this is particularly relevant.
Ants: the nest is elsewhere
A line of ants on the kitchen worktop is only the foragers. The colony may be inside a wall, under the floor or in insulation. Some urban species have several queens and thousands of workers, so killing the visible ants rarely solves the problem.
Moths: months without being noticed
Clothes moths lay eggs on wool, cashmere and feathers in dark wardrobes; it is the larvae that eat the fibres. Pantry moths infest flour, cereals, rice, nuts and pet food. Because the larvae stay hidden, an infestation can develop for weeks or months before adult moths appear.
Silverfish
Silverfish do not build nests, but they gather in damp, dark places and feed on paper, cardboard, book glue and starchy fabrics. Seeing one usually means there are more nearby.
Beetles, flies and cockroaches
Some beetles complete their life cycle inside stored food or in rugs and upholstery. Cockroaches, earwigs and some flies use cracks and ducts where temperature and humidity are stable.
When it becomes a problem
An occasional insect is normal. It is a sign of an established population when:
- you see insects several times a week;
- you find both young and adult insects;
- they keep appearing in the same place.
Prevention
- Store food in sealed containers.
- Check cupboards and wardrobes regularly.
- Vacuum behind appliances and under furniture.
- Seal cracks and gaps around pipes.
- Fix leaks and improve ventilation.
- Don’t leave cardboard, paper or piles of clothes untouched for months.
- Clean up crumbs and spills straight away.
If an infestation persists, a professional pest control service can identify the species and treat the source.
