Sowbugs and pillbugs are both species of the roly polly family. These bugs are common worldwide in both landscapes and gardens and feed primarily on decaying plants. While they are beneficial in reducing garden waste, sowbugs and pillbugs will feed on seedling immature roots and leaves that are close to the soil if there is an infestation.
The scavengers scurry when they sense danger and can be found hiding under leaves, garden debris, rocks, and areas that are dark and damp.
It is not uncommon to find a sowbug or pill bug inside of your home and are harmless since they do not bite or sting animals or humans.
Sowbugs and pillbugs are 3/4inches long with oval-shaped bodies that resemble a crayfish or lobster. They are slow movers that are gray or born in color and have 7 sets of legs and a segmented hard shell-like body that is similar to the armadillo. Sowbugs also have two tails on their rear end that pillbugs do not. Pillbugs just like their roly-poly cousins have posterior appendages that allow them to curl up into a ball when there is danger.
Sowbugs and pillbugs both mate all year round, but are more active during early spring. Females carry their eggs for 3 to 7 weeks in a fluid-filled sac that's called a marsupium which is found on the underside of her body.
Once the eggs hatch, the young nymphs, which look similar to their adult parents, remain in the sac for up to 8 weeks until they are old enough to be on their own.
To keep these bugs under control, a natural defense is generally best. You can do so by keeping leaves and debris off of your lawn and out of your garden.
Invest in black plastic coarse mulches for your landscape and garden that allow water to absorb quickly and keep areas from remaining damp. The dark color will also prevent other pests from invading due to the heat from the color.
Try improving the air circulation around your vegetable plants and fruits by investing in trellises and keeping fruits such as strawberries from touching the soil.
