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SOWBUGS AND PILLBUGS

General Information Prevention Control Recommendations

Click on image to enlarge Sowbugs

Click on image to enlarge Pillbugs. (Photo: J. Kalisch University of Lincoln Nebraska Dept. of Entomology)

General Information These pests are more closely related to shrimp and crayfish than to insects being of the class Crustacea. The typical sowbug has two tail-lole appendages at the tip of the abdomen. They are incapable of rolling into a tight ball. The common pillbug doesn't have the appendages and are capable of rolling into a tight ball. They are often called "rolly-polies". They live outdoors, feeding on decaying organic matter and occasionally young plants and their roots. They may be found around flower bed mulches, grass clippings, leaf litter, rotting boards, trash, rocks and pet droppings are present. They can be found invading damp basements and crawl spaces. On a hot day, they remain under objects on the damp ground and are active only at night due to lower temperatures and more humid conditions. They may infest potted plants. When the infestation is heavy, it generally indicates a large population immediately outside the building. Adequate moisture is essential for their survival, and they group in masses to reduce water loss. They become inactive during the winter months except in heated buildings such as greenhouses. Prevention: Prevention begins outdoors by removing harbor aging places that hold moisture, such as wood debris, rocks, grass clippings, and leaf litter and other debris from the foundation walls, doors, basement windows and other points of entry. Firewood should be stored off the ground. Lawns should be watered in the morning to promote drying by the afternoon. Flower beds should not be over mulched. Properly ventilate basements and subfloor crawl spaces to eliminate excess moisture. Repair and seal cracks and openings in the foundation wall, around doors, and around basement windows with caulking compound and weather stripping. Drain standing water and moist areas near potential points of entry. Recommended Measures of Control: Large numbers of these structure-invading pests are easily controlled by vacuuming and discarding the collected material. A good residual sprayed along entry pts., cracks and crevices, baseboards is important. Even more important would be a good residual sprayed on the outside , in particular on the exterior walls that they are entering the home. CONQUER or DEMON WP work well, sprayed 3 feet out, along the foundation and 3 ft. up the exterior wall as well as sprayed around the entry pts, like doors and windows. TALSTAR GRANULARS would be an additional treatment around the house as a barrier.