How to identify and get rid of pill bugs

What are those tiny, armored creatures that are slowly puttering under your flower pots, in your garden, or around your home?

Those are pill bugs, the only crustacean to successfully conquer land!

Well, perhaps they haven’t conquered terrestrial life, but they have found a way to thrive outside the ocean or any other body of water. Pill bugs, with their many legs, armored shells, and insect-like antennae, aren’t insects at all. They are closer related to shrimp than they are to insects.

However, their ambition to live on land has led them into our homes, which may not be damaging or a health concern but definitely an annoyance that needs to be dealt with.

Pill bugs, roly polies, or woodlice are small, grey arthropods that can roll into a ball when they feel threatened. Look for many legs under what looks like armor plates, along with two antennae.

Search damp areas or under pots, logs, or rocks to find them. You might have an infestation if you see lots of them or notice plant damage and moist indoor areas. These bugs like wet environments, so seeing them often could mean your space is too damp.

How big are pill bugs?

Pill bugs grow to about ½ inch to ¾ inch long.

What other arthropods look like a pill bug?

Pill bugs are often confused with sow bugs, which look nearly identical. However, sow bugs are flatter and can’t roll into a ball like the pill bug.

Pill bugs live all over the United States. They thrive in moist environments and are common in many backyards. Sometimes, they find their way into your home but can’t survive long in a dry environment.

In your house, look for pill bugs in damp places like basements, under sinks, or in laundry rooms. Outdoors, they're often under rocks, logs, or in mulch, staying in contact with the moist soil.

Pill bugs aren’t much of a threat or problem when it comes to home pests. They often look for moist areas to live in, so that is your number one issue.

To keep pill bugs out of your house:

• Keep your home dry: Reduce moisture indoors with dehumidifiers and fix any leaking pipes or faucets inside and outside.
• Clean Up: Pill bugs love to eat dead and decaying vegetation. Remove leaf litter and debris from your yard to prevent pill bugs from accidentally making their way inside.
• Seal Entrances: Block small entry points to your home. This can include weather-stripping doors and ground-level windows. Also, make sure to caulk any gaps around your home.
• Garden with Care: Avoid overwatering your garden and keep mulch away from your home's foundation.

If you already have pill bugs in your home, use a vacuum or broom to clean them up. You can either put them back outside or throw them away in a trash bag and take that bag away from the home.

If you live in a particularly damp area and frequently get pill bugs in your home, one of the best ways to prevent them from coming into your home is by spraying and maintaining a bug-barrier. You can find an easy DIY solution with Pestie. Get a pro-grade pest control solution tailored to your location, delivered automatically to your home.