Mythbusters: Pill Bugs Edition

It seems like everyone loved pill bugs as children, touching them so they'd curl up into a cute little ball. How much do you really know about them?

Pill bugs can be found all over Virginia. They love moist environments to the humidity in our area appeals to them.

Myth 1: Pill Bugs Are Insects

Pill bugs are harmless indeed, but they are not insects. In fact, pill bugs are crustaceans, closely related to lobsters and crabs. There are not many types of soil-dwelling crustaceans; in fact, pill bugs are one of only a few terrestrial isopods. Being a crustacean, pill bugs thrive in moist climate because they breathe with gills.

Myth 2: Pill Bugs And Sowbugs Are The Same

While very closely related, pill bugs and sowbugs are not the same species. Often mistaken for one another, they look similar but have key differences. They have the same hard armored body and grow to be the same size. Pill bugs are more of a rounded oval shape, while sowbugs tend to be flatter and more of a pointed oval.

One easily distinguishable difference is that pill bugs will roll up in a ball as a defensive mechanism (thus earning them the nickname rolly-pollies), while sowbugs cannot roll up and will instead run away when under duress.

Myth 3: Pill Bugs Are Always Harmless

Pill bugs will not hurt humans or pets. They also do not pose a danger to your home. Pill bugs can, however, pose a danger to young plants in your garden. They like to live in areas that retain moisture, such as under mulch, leaves, grass clippings, or other decaying material. While the feed primarily on already decaying plant material, they will also feed on seedlings and new roots, leaves that are near the ground or produce that touches the soil.

Myth 4: Pill Bugs Only Live Outdoors

Pill bugs will, in fact, invade homes. Often, they will invade in large numbers. While they are merely an unpleasant nuisance, their presence can often signal a larger issue. Pill bugs are drawn to moisture, so if they are in your home, you'll want to make sure you don't have leaky pipes, foundational issues, or other problems inside your home that is leading to excessive moisture in one area.

If you are having a problem with pill bugs, start by reducing the moisture in and around your house. Fix leaks and seal cracks. Make sure that mulch is at least a foot away from the foundation, or swap out mulch entirely. There are some effective DIY remedies, such as boiling water or beer traps. If you find that these efforts aren't enough to control pill bugs on your property or in your home, a professional pest control company can help.

We recognize that every situation is different and we're here to help you with yours. Call us today!

To learn even more about local Virginia pests, check out our other blog posts and our pest library