Pill Bugs
Pill bugs, or roly-polies, are moisture-loving crustaceans that roll into a ball when disturbed.(Armadillidiidae) Also known as roly-polies or woodlice, these crustaceans curl into tight balls when disturbed.
Background & Behavior
They thrive in damp environments under logs, mulch, and basements. Pill bugs feed on decaying organic matter and rarely cause indoor damage. However, excessive moisture can draw them indoors temporarily.
Pill bugs, or roly-polies, are moisture-loving crustaceans that roll into a ball when disturbed.
DIY Approaches
- Improve drainage around foundations by extending downspouts.
- Move firewood and compost bins off bare soil and onto racks.
- Reduce thick mulch layers to less than two inches deep.
- Ventilate crawl spaces and repair torn vapor barriers.
- Use a broom or vacuum to remove pill bugs that wander indoors.
Professional Services
- Request perimeter treatments focusing on mulch beds and shaded corners.
- Hire waterproofing specialists to correct chronic moisture problems.
- Schedule landscaping services to replace water-retaining mulch with gravel.
- Coordinate routine monitoring for greenhouses and garden centers.
- Engage pest professionals for integrated occasional invader programs.
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