Doors and Windows - how do i seal off area between door and threshold to keep out worms, bugs?

Help!

I've got a basement-level door which does not completely meet the threshold. The space is very small, but this still has not prevented earthworms, pill bugs, spiders, and beetles to enter in droves.

I've tried everything -- caulking the bottom, installing a door strip (just a stick-on) to keep the bugs from coming in, but they keep on coming. What can I do?

I also am looking for some advice on natural insect pest management -- how can i discourage the critters from approaching the door in the first place? Someone at a home depot mentioned something to me about sprinkling paprika or cayenne pepper around the door (can't remember exact suggestion).

Any suggestions on either of the above questions would be MUCH appreciated.

Thanks!

Does the threshold have a vinyl insert that is missing or just worn out? This coulkd be why you have a gap there. You can buy replacements for these.:)

http://www.benchmarkdoors.com/trouble5.htm#threshold

If adjustments can not be made to correct the problem, you can pick up a weatherstrip or door sweep at a home center to close the gap. This can be installed on the bottom of the door.

A regular perimeter insecticide treatment around the foundation of your home will keep insects at bay. Spraying window sills and thresholds with bug spray is also helpful.

thanks dwehner and twelvepole for suggestions --

i had installed the "door sweep" made of vinyl -- this is the "stick on" item i was referring to. Unfortunately, the little critters (earthworms, pill bugs, spiders, beetles) got in under those as well!

We have a cat, so is it safe to spray that pesticide around the home's foundation?

Lastly, at Home Depot today I bought one fo those plug in bug repellents -- the kind that emit sonic waves (higher than what humans can hear) to repel the bugs. Have you heard about whether or not this works? (Haven't opened or tried it out yet, will try this tomorrow or the next day).

The EPA and Consumer Reports state that there is no scientific evidence that these gadgets are effective, despite claims to the contrary.

As long as you spray the insecticide while the cat is out of the way, then you should be fine. I live in a rental and have a monthly perimeter treatment for invasive insects as well as an interior treatment because the place was crawling with roaches when I moved in. I have no pets. The yard is full of them. Neighbors let them run loose here. I have found no dead bodies in my yard. I have always sprayed door thresholds weekly with Raid everywhere I have lived in order to assure that no little pests come under the door.

Perhaps a different type of door seal or sweep would be more effective. Perhaps the door can be adjusted to close the gap or the threshold raised and caulked beneath to seal.

I once had cats and never had a problem with a professional exterminator coming to my home. I always took the kids and the cat outdoors when the exterminator was indoors and indoors when he did his perimeter treatment before he left. My daughter has always been terrified of spiders, so I always had a bug man. I always loved old homes, which unfortunately are not tightly built, and frequently had uninvited guests.

Sealing up entries where insect and rodent pests can enter the home is the best pest prevention. Then, a perimeter treatment to keep insect pests at bay is very effective. If you prefer not to have interior treatment, you can spray affected areas with Raid if you tend to see spiders or crickets indoors. If you have an infestation, then it may be worth it to have a professional treatment program. I pay $35/month to have an exterminator treat indoors and out. Because I live in a low rent district, he stated that the roaches will cross the yard from the other rentals if I don't maintain the program. I hate roaches. After two treatments, I have seen no insects in this little house. Thus, I can go to bed and not worry about the bugs. I do, however, worry about everything else.