How to Get Rid of Pill Bugs (Roly-Polies) Naturally
If you garden long enough, you'll eventually meet pill bugs.
Most of the time they're harmless little decomposers hiding under mulch and garden debris. But when their population explodes, they can start chewing on seedlings, new roots, strawberries, and low-growing vegetables. Not so cute now, huh?
The good news is that pill bugs are surprisingly easy to control once you understand why they're showing up in the first place.
In this guide, I'll show you exactly how to get rid of pill bugs naturally and how to keep them from taking over your garden beds again.
What Are Pill Bugs?
Pill bugs - often called roly-polies - aren't actually insects. They're terrestrial crustaceans related to shrimp, lobsters, and crayfish that have adapted to live on land. I can't imagine going to a shrimp boil and seeing the pot filled with roly polies! No thanks!
They're usually gray or black, oval shaped, and less than a quarter of an inch long (but some are up to a half-inch!). When they are startled or disturbed, pill bugs curl into a tight ball as a defense mechanism, which is how they earned the nickname "roly-poly."
Other common names include:
- roly-poly (what we call them in Kansas!)
- woodlouse
- potato bug
- roll-up bug
- sow bugs
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:
Are Pill Bugs Bad for the Garden?
Not usually. In fact, when my freshly transplanted pansies and salad greens were nibbled down to nothing overnight, I saw a few roly polies but initially didn't realize they were the culprit (pictured below).
Pill bugs are decomposers, meaning they help break down dead leaves and organic matter and recycle it back into the soil. Not a bad thing, right? Well... it's great for soil health, but when conditions are perfect, especially damp mulch with lots of organic debris, their population can explode. And that's when us gardeners begin noticing damage. When that happens, they may start to feed on:
- young seedlings
- tender plant stems
- fruits touching the soil (like strawberries)
- new roots and sprouts
Why Pill Bugs Show Up in Your Garden
Pill bugs thrive in moist, sheltered environments, so certain garden conditions make them multiply quickly.
The most common causes are:
- Too much moisture - pill bugs rely on humidity to survive and will die quickly in dry conditions. This is why they are so damaging to early spring seedlings but seem to disappear by July.
- Thick mulch layers - You can see in my poor little pansy picture above that the plants were heavily mulched with old straw. Mulch provides perfect shelter and moisture. I had made them a perfect environment and provided them with fresh food!
- Decaying plant material - Since they feed primarily on decomposing organic matter, piles of leaves or plant debris attract them (like the old straw I was using).
- Shady garden beds - Cool, damp areas create ideal pill bug habitat.
If pill bugs are damaging your plants, these simple methods can bring their population back under control.
How to Get Rid of Pill Bugs Naturally
- Reduce moisture - water early in the. morning so the soil dries during the day. Pill bugs are most active at night when the ground stays damp. This is the reason the pansies I had transplanted in the evening were eaten by morning.
- Pull mulch away from seedlings - this one's trickier, especially if you live in a hot climate like mine. While the thick mulch keeps our seedlings from drying out, it's also providing perfect pill bug habitat (say that 3X fast!).
- Use beer traps - This one's a pest-fighting two-fer! Slugs love beer, and so do roly polies! Sink a small container of beer into the soil with the rim level with the ground. Pop the tab and the bugs will follow the scent of yeast, crawl in, and drown.
- Potato or citrus traps - My kids loved this method! We cut a few potatoes in half and hollowed out the center slightly and placed them upside down near the plants overnight. In the morning we found pill bugs gathered underneath (see picture below). We carefully lifted the potatoes (or orange peels!) and carried them to the coop for the chickens to snack on! Here's a reel tutorial I shared that demonstrates this method.
- Sprinkle diatomaceous earth - food-grade diatomaceous earth can help dry out pill bugs by damaging their outer coating. Make sure not to inhale the powder as you sprinkle it generously around the plants. Reapply after watering or rain showers.
- Protect seedlings - Young plants are the most vulnerable. A simple collar made from a cut paper cup, paper towel roll, or toilet paper roll can protect them until they grow stronger.
How to Prevent Pill Bugs in the Future
The best long-term solution is simply making your garden less attractive to pill bugs. Rainy weather conditions in the spring of 2023 caused the pill bug population to surge in my garden. Once the environment becomes drier and cleaner, the pill bug populations usually balance themselves.
Here are steps to take to deter future pill bug infestations:
- Improve soil drainage
- Water early in the day
- Avoid overly thick mulch layers
- Remove decaying plant material
- Keep fruits like strawberries off the soil surface
FAQ About Pill Bugs
No. Pill bugs don't bite or sting and are harmless to humans.
No. They are crustaceans related to shrimp and crabs.
Rolling into a ball protects them from predators and helps prevent moisture loss.
Only if they are damaging seedlings. In most gardens they're beneficial decomposers.
Yes, pill bugs can eat seedlings, especially when their population is high. Most of the time pill bugs prefer to feed on decaying plant material, which is why they're normally considered beneficial garden decomposers. But when food is scarce, or when large numbers of pill bugs are present, they may begin feeding on tender young plants, sprouts, and soft stems.
Final Thoughts
Pill bugs are one of those garden creatures that can be friend or foe depending on the situation.
In small numbers they help break down organic matter and improve soil health. But if their population gets out of hand, they can quickly target tender seedlings and low-growing vegetables.
The trick isn't eliminating them entirely, it's bringing balance back to your garden ecosystem.
Reduce moisture, remove hiding spots, and protect young plants, and pill bugs usually settle back into their role as helpful decomposers instead of garden pests.
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.
Happy gardening!
​- Meg
I cant wait tontry this! We have struggled with Roly Poly bugs every year!