Have you ever seen small, grayish, creatures rolled up in the corners of your home or garden? If so, you were probably looking at pill bugs. Perhaps you played with them as kids or spent a while watching them wander across a yard. Don’t feel weird if you’ve done either…lots of us have done the same things!
These funny little critters are common throughout the mainland US, and are also found in other countries. The term “pill bug” dates back to the early 1840s. It describes the creature’s most famous characteristic: its ability to roll itself into a tight sphere that resembles an old-fashioned medicine pill.
Maybe the term “pill bug” is unfamiliar to you. That’s OK. These creatures are called other nicknames in different regions. Depending on your home, you may know them as “roly polies”, “doodlebugs”, “sowbugs”, or “potato bugs.” Internationally they’re known by still other names.
Pill bugs are members of the Armadillidiidae family, a category of creatures able to roll their bodies into a ball shape. They aren’t insects but instead are classified as terrestrial crustaceans. As such they only live on land…but they are related to water dwellers including shrimp, lobsters, and crab.
Unlike many “bugs” they are relatively safe. That’s one thing that makes them fun! Pill bugs don’t bite, spread disease, or damage structures. They’re one of the few “pest” species that don’t come with a massive downside!
Pill bugs thrive in moist-but-not-wet conditions. Their diet consists primarily of decaying leaves, grass, etc. As natural scavengers, they’re great for outdoor environments. Not only do they clean up organic litter, but they build up the soil by adding valuable carbon as a by-product of their digestive processes.
Enhancing soil is only one beneficial service pill bugs provide. They can also serve as an indicator of drainage issues around your foundation. A large number of pill bugs in your house or business, or a massing of them outside, is a sign the space around your foundation is too wet. When the ground is too moist, they enter the nearest structure for protection. Take quick action if you notice a sudden surge in your place!
How to Prevent and Control Indoor Pill Bugs
Reduce Moisture: Fix any leaks, ensure good ventilation in damp areas, and use a dehumidifier in basements.
Seal Entry Points: Check for cracks in walls, foundations, or around windows and doors, and seal them up.
Reduce Outdoor Habitat: Mulch, leaves, and other decaying material provide a perfect hiding place for all types of pests, including pill bugs. Keep them away from your foundation.
Natural Remedies: Pill bugs are sensitive to citrus. You may be able to repel them by placing orange or lemon peels near problem areas.
Cute as they are, pill bug populations can become overwhelming. If this happens, you will benefit from our professional pest control services. We can remove infestations safely and efficiently. Contact us at (405) 679-8729 to discuss next steps. We’ll discuss your situation and develop an effect plan to restore your home or business to normal.
