Insect Control Services: Pillbugs
Often called potato bugs, pillbugs and sowbugs are crustaceans pests that are more closely related to shrimp and crayfish than to insects. They are dark slate grey in colour and measure approximately 2 cm in length.
Background: Pillbugs & Sowbugs
Pillbugs and sowbugs are very similar in appearance. The biggest difference between the two species is that pillbugs can roll into a ball when alarmed and sowbugs cannot. Also, the sowbug has two tail-like appendages that the pillbug does not have.
Preferred Environments
In nature, they prefer damp, dark places, but Pillbugs and Sowbugs at times invade damp basement areas. Both species need to stay moist in order to survive, so they actively scavenge for decaying leaf litter and vegetable matter only in the cool of the night. To prevent dehydration during the day, they seek dark, moist areas to hide and rest.
Treatments & Solutions
Though generally not a destructive pest, pillbugs and sowbugs in large numbers can do significant damage to plants, gardens and crops. Like other garden pests, they’re feeding can lead to a decrease in the annual harvest of any crop. Once established around or on the property, pillbugs and sowbugs will occasionally move inside to avoid excessive cold or heat.