Sowbugs

Sowbugs/Pillbugs

Sowbugs and Pillbugs are mid to dark gray, hard bodied, jointed terrestrial crustaceans, that grow up to ¾ in (2cm) long. Young sowbugs are lighter in color, depending on age are much smaller.

They hide during the daylight under seed boxes, pots, stones, and other debris, emerging at night to feed. Batches of 20 or more eggs are laid and held in broad pouches by the adult female. The young disperse and feed for a year or so before they mature.

Sowbugs and pillbugs may leave their natural habitats at night, and crawl about over sidewalks, patios, and foundations. They often invade crawl spaces, damp basements and first floors of houses at ground level. Common points of entry into buildings include door thresholds (especially at the base of sliding glass doors), expansion joints, and through the voids of concrete block walls.

Frequent sightings of these pests indoors usually means that there are large numbers breeding on the outside, close to the foundation. Since sowbugs and pillbugs require moisture, they do not survive indoors for more than a few days unless there are very moist or damp conditions.

Diatomaceous Earth 4 Lb $11.59

Susceptible Plants– Seedlings and young plants.

Symptoms- The main source of food for the sowbug or pillbug is dead or decaying plant matter, not living plants. However they can feed off seedlings at soil level, destroying or killing the plant.

Prevention and Control- Sowbugs and pillbugs are such ubiquitous creatures that trying to eliminate them would be nearly impossible and is rarely necessary, except perhaps in greenhouses and garden frames in the spring where seed-raising is going on. Destroy large colonies by pouring boiling water on them. Control survivors by setting baits of bran, blood, boiled potato, grated cheese, or sugar under a plank of wood, a box, or another dark location.

For outside gardens and Greenhouses- drain wet areas; sprinkle St. Gabriel Insect Dust (Diatomaceous Earth) around foundations where sowbugs congregate; trap under boards or stones then destroy. Diatomaceous Earth is made from the finely ground fossils of prehistoric fresh water diatoms. When soft-bodied insects come in contact, D.E. causes massive loss of body fluids and death. When the dust is eaten by insects, the D.E. inhibits breathing, digestion and reproduction. Because it kills by mechanical action rather than poison, insects have not developed immunity. Apply the dust lightly in infested areas. This product is not harmful to humans or animals and can be used indoors as well.

Make paper traps painted with a sticky coating, such as Tangle-Trap Insect Trap Coating; then folded tent-like, with sticky side down.

Collect and destroy the sowbugs or pillbugs. Keep greenhouses clear of decaying plant debris. Do not mulch susceptible young plants.

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