Discover effective strategies for getting rid of pill bugs in your garden! Learn how to use natural remedies like beer traps, potato traps, soapy water, and diatomaceous earth to manage pill bug infestations and protect your plants. Get expert tips and advice for a pest-free garden.
Pill bugs (Armadillidium vulgare), also known as roly poly bugs or sowbugs (Porcellio scaber), are common visitors in gardens. Did you ever play with them as a kid, touching their backs and watching their little gray bodies roll into a ball? I certainly thought they were cool!
While the sight of a roly poly bug can bring a smile to our faces as it demonstrates its defensive conglobation technique, too many of these little creatures can spell trouble for your garden. In a large population, they may nibble on seedlings, new roots, lower leaves, and even fruits and vegetables resting directly on the soil. Not so cute anymore, huh?
When my young plants disappear seemingly overnight because of a pill bug infestation, it's time to take action. For more information on how to Organic Pest Control in the Garden, read this post.
Jump to:
- What is the Difference Between a Pill Bug (Roly Poly and Sow Bug)?
- Other Names for Pill Bugs
- How to Identify Pill Bugs
- What Do Pill Bugs Do?
- How Do I Get Rid of Pill Bugs and Roly Polies in the Garden?
- Create a Unfriendly Environment for Pill bugs and Roly Polies
- How to Get Rid of Pill Bugs Using Beer Traps
- How to Get Rid of Pill Bugs Using a Potato
- How to use DE (diatomaceous earth) to Get Rid of Pill Bugs
- Where is the Best Place to Put a Trap?
- What is the Life Cycle of a Pill Bug?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Hasta La Vista, Roly Polies
- More gardening posts you'll love!
- Garden Guides, Tips & Tutorials
- Comments
What is the Difference Between a Pill Bug (Roly Poly and Sow Bug)?
The name may be used interchangeably depending on the region you live, but these little creatures aren't quite the same. Sow bugs and pill bugs look alike at first glance, but sowbugs are a little bit smaller than pill bugs. The sow bugs also have two small structures on their back ends that look like tails. Pill bugs don’t have them.
Pill bugs, roly-poly bugs and sowbugs might surprise you—they're not insects at all but terrestrial crustaceans, belonging to the same family as crabs, crayfish, and shrimps rather than ants and other soil-dwelling insects.
What sets them apart is their unique adaptation to land living despite their crustacean heritage. Although they still rely on moisture for survival, they've traded underwater life for terrestrial living, sporting gills while avoiding submerged environments.
Other Names for Pill Bugs
- Pill Bugs
- Commonly used in North America.
- Derived from their ability to roll into a tight ball when threatened.
- Roly Polies
- Commonly used in North America, particularly in the United States.
- Derived from their habit of rolling into a ball.
- Woodlice
- Commonly used in Europe and parts of Asia.
- Refers to their habitat preference for damp, decaying wood.
- Sow Bugs
- Commonly used in North America.
- Similar to pill bugs and roly polies, but may have slight regional variations in appearance.
- Armadias
- Used in some Spanish-speaking regions.
- Likely derived from their Latin name, Armadillidium.
How to Identify Pill Bugs
Identifying Pill Bugs is pretty simple. They are oval-shaped crustaceans resembling crayfish, shrimp, and lobsters more than typical insects.
- Size: Typically between ¼-3/4 inches long. This will vary depending on what part of the country you live in.
- Shape: Oval-shaped body.
- Movement: Slow-moving.
- Color: Grayish-brown to black.
- Segmented Body: Consists of several overlapping segments.
- Texture: Hard exoskeleton.
- Antennae: Short antennae present.
- Legs: Fourteen legs(7 pairs of legs) and seven pairs of jointed limbs.
What Do Pill Bugs Do?
These tiny creatures play a crucial role in ecosystems by feasting on decaying plant matter and aiding in decomposition, which benefits soil quality.
Yet, when their numbers grow, they can become pests, crawling around at ground level in damp environments. They pass the time munching on plant material that may include new roots, lower leaves, seedlings, and even fruits and veggies.
If they want to eat organic material in my compost pile, I'm for it. But they're gonna have to stay out of my raised beds! Gardens and raised beds are an ideal environment for roly polies and a whole lot of pill bugs.
- Decomposers: They primarily feed on decaying plant matter and other organic materials, aiding in decomposition.
- Soil Improvement: By breaking down organic matter, they contribute to soil enrichment and nutrient cycling.
- Moisture Dependence: They require moisture to survive but can't live underwater despite their aquatic origins.
- Defense Mechanism: When threatened, they curl up into a tight ball, known as conglobation, as a defense mechanism against predators.
- Habitat: They prefer damp environments and are commonly found under rocks, logs, mulch, and other debris.
- Nocturnal Activity: They are more active at night, foraging for food and navigating their environment.
- Limited Mobility: While they can move around, they're not fast movers and tend to stay close to their preferred habitats.
How Do I Get Rid of Pill Bugs and Roly Polies in the Garden?
The best way to get rid of pill bugs in the vegetable garden is by using a combination of methods. First, focus on reducing excess moisture in the garden, as pill bugs thrive in damp environments.
This can be achieved by improving drainage, avoiding overwatering, and ensuring proper air circulation. Pill bugs absolutely thrive in moist conditions. Secondly, remove any organic debris or mulch where pill bugs may hide or breed.
Regularly clean up fallen leaves, plant debris, and other potential hiding spots. Additionally, create physical barriers around vulnerable plants using diatomaceous earth, copper tape, or coarse sand to deter pill bugs from reaching them.
Finally, consider introducing natural predators such as ground beetles, centipedes, or predatory mites to help control pill bug populations. Personally, I have not tried this method as I am leery of disrupting the biome of my garden.
Create a Unfriendly Environment for Pill bugs and Roly Polies
- Improve drainage in the garden beds to reduce excess moisture.
- Avoid overwatering plants and ensure proper air circulation.
- Remove organic debris and mulch where pill bugs may hide or breed.
- Regularly clean up fallen leaves, plant debris, and other potential hiding spots.
- Create physical barriers around vulnerable plants using diatomaceous earth, copper tape, or coarse sand.
- Introduce natural predators such as ground beetles, centipedes, or predatory mites to help control pill bug populations.
How to Get Rid of Pill Bugs Using Beer Traps
- Set Up Traps. Fill shallow containers with beer. Any kind will do!
- Attract Pill Bugs. Place them in the garden, slightly buried. They'll be drawn to the beer and drown.
- Monitor and Replace: Check traps regularly. Replace beer as needed.
- Dispose of Trapped Bugs: Empty traps away from the garden.
- Repeat: Use traps as necessary for ongoing control.
How to Get Rid of Pill Bugs Using a Potato
This is my favorite method in my dry and hot zone 6B garden (a reel tutorial I shared). However, I have a friend who lives up North, and she prefers the beer method in her cool and rainy garden.
- Prepare Potatoes. Cut potatoes in half. Hollow out each piece slightly.
- Place in Garden. Position potatoes flesh side down in the garden.
- Attract and Remove Pill Bugs. Pill bugs will be drawn to the potato. Check potatoes regularly and physically remove trapped pill bugs.
- Replace as Needed. Replace potatoes as they become filled with pill bugs.
- Repeat as Necessary. Use potatoes continuously to manage pill bug populations in the garden.
How to use DE (diatomaceous earth) to Get Rid of Pill Bugs
- Choose Food-Grade DE: Ensure you're using food-grade diatomaceous earth, which is safe for use around humans, pets, and plants.
- Identify Problem Areas: Determine where roly polies are most active or causing damage in your garden.
- Apply DE: Sprinkle a thin layer of diatomaceous earth around the perimeter of your garden beds, along pathways, and in areas where roly polies are prevalent. Focus on areas with high moisture content, as roly polies are attracted to damp environments.
- Reapply as Needed: DE loses effectiveness when wet, so reapply it after rain or watering. It's also a good idea to reapply periodically, especially if you notice roly polies returning. Diatomaceous earth works by dehydrating and eventually killing roly polies by damaging their exoskeletons. Results may not be immediate, so be patient and allow time for the DE to take effect.
- Monitor and Adjust: Keep an eye on the effectiveness of the DE treatment and adjust your application as needed. If you find that roly polies are still present, consider applying DE more liberally or targeting specific areas where they're most active.
Where is the Best Place to Put a Trap?
The best place to place a pill bug trap is in areas where pill bugs are commonly found or where they are causing damage to plants. Here are some ideal locations for placing pill bug traps:
- Near Damp Areas: Pill bugs prefer damp places, so placing traps near sources of moisture such as compost bins, watering areas, piles of leaves, grass clippings, or areas with dense vegetation can be effective.
- Under Rocks or Mulch: Pill bugs often hide under rocks, mulch, or other debris during the day, so placing traps in these areas can intercept them as they emerge at night.
- Along Garden Borders: Position traps along the borders of garden beds or along pathways where pill bugs may travel in search of food.
- Near Vulnerable Plants: If pill bugs are causing damage to specific plants, place traps near those plants to intercept them before they reach the foliage.
- In Shaded Areas: Pill bugs prefer shaded environments, so placing traps in shaded areas of the garden can increase their effectiveness. Place traps in areas with dead plant matter, which is a preferred food source for these little bugs.
What is the Life Cycle of a Pill Bug?
Pill bugs reproduce in moist environments, typically laying their eggs in underground burrows or in damp soil. The mating process involves the male fertilizing the female's eggs internally. Once fertilized, the female carries the eggs in a brood pouch located on the underside of her body until they hatch, which can take several weeks.
After hatching, young pillbugs, called nymphs, emerge from the brood pouch and remain close to their mother for protection. They undergo a series of molts as they grow, shedding their exoskeletons to accommodate their increasing size. During this time, the little guys feed on decaying plant matter and other organic material found in their environment.
As they mature, pill bugs and rollie pollies continue to live in moist habitats such as under rocks, dead leaves, wood chips, logs, mulch, or other debris. They may also burrow into the soil to seek shelter and protection. Once fully grown, pill bugs reach sexual maturity and can reproduce, continuing the life cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, soapy water can effectively kill pill bugs. The soap disrupts the waxy outer layer of the pill bug's exoskeleton, causing them to dehydrate and suffocate. When sprayed directly on pill bugs or applied to their hiding spots, the soapy water can quickly immobilize and ultimately kill them.
The best time of day to trap pill bugs is in the evening or at night. Pill bugs are nocturnal creatures, meaning they are more active during the night than during the day. Setting traps in the evening allows you to catch them when they are most active and searching for food. Checking the traps in the early morning or early afternoon can yield the best results, as you'll likely find them filled with pill bugs that were attracted to the bait overnight.
The effectiveness of pill bug traps can vary depending on factors such as trap placement, environmental conditions, and the size of the pill bug population. In general, you may start to see results within a few days to a week after setting up traps. However, for significant reductions in pill bug numbers, it may take several weeks of consistent trapping and monitoring. Adjusting trap placement and bait as needed can help optimize results over time.
Yes, cedar contains natural compounds called thujone and thujaplicin, which have insect-repelling properties. When used as mulch, cedar creates an environment that is less hospitable to roly polies, as they are sensitive to the scent and compounds released by cedar. However, it's important to note that while cedar mulch can help deter roly polies, it may not completely eliminate them, especially if other factors such as moisture and food sources are still present. Read more about cedar mulch here.
Hasta La Vista, Roly Polies
Now it's your turn! Have you tried any of these methods to combat a pillbug infestation in your garden? We'd love to hear about your experiences and which techniques worked best for you. Share your success stories or any additional tips in the comments below. Together, we can grow a thriving home garden free from pesky pill bugs.
Happy gardening!
- Meg
Amelia
I cant wait tontry this! We have struggled with Roly Poly bugs every year!