Pill Bugs can survive in any space, be it open or closed. But the most common area where they can be found is in gardens or home gardens. Pill Bugs are also known in some parts as “roly-polies,” and to feed, they especially look for material in decomposition.
This insect is also crucial during the decomposition process, and they are capable of reproducing in large numbers. Pill Bugs can feed:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- New roots
- Plants
Pill Bugs do not like to be disturbed, and if this happens, they will look for an isolated place to hide:
- Dark areas
- Wet areas
- Under the leaves
- Mulches
- Garden debris
- Rocks
It is very common for you to see some of these Pill Bugs inside your home, but the good news is that these insects will not damage your interior space’s infrastructure. Water consumption is important for bed bugs; otherwise, they will not survive for long.
What are the Pill Bugs?
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Pill Bugs are one part of the crustacean family and can be up to ¾ inches long. This insect is oval and is as slow to move as lobsters or crayfish. The color of Pill Bugs can vary between chalky and brown, and their cover is as hard as a shell.
Pill Bugs have seven legs, bent antennae, and their appearance is very similar to that of the armadillo. These bed bugs or Pill Bugs are also called “roly-polies” since when disturbed, they roll into a ball.
More Pill Bugs mating occurs during March and April, and the female keeps her incubated eggs in a liquid-filled bag for approximately 3 to 7 weeks. When hatching occurs, the young bed bugs can stay in the bag for up to two months, to ensure that they are already able to take care of themselves.
Females can live up to 3 years and can produce 30 to 40 days, but it all depends on the weather conditions. These insects are not to be feared as they do not bite and will not cause any health problems.
Identifying Pill Bugs
Pill Bugs have some peculiarities that you should know:
- They can live throughout their life on land, just like shrimp.
- They prefer dark or humid areas, as their body cannot resist water.
- Pill Bugs are also known as bed bugs, roly-polies, and armadillo bugs.
- Her shell looks like armor.
- You can find bed bugs or Pill Bugs in garden woods, in flowerpots, or garbage cans.
- Pill Bugs are also known as pill bugs, and they prefer nightlife.
If bed bugs enter your home, they will surely become a nuisance pest. However, this insect does not bite, and so far, they have not been shown to transmit disease. When bed bugs enter your house, they can enter through gaps that can be found in the front door or foundation.
This insect has many names according to the location in which it is found. In North America, this insect is known as Pillbug, while in the West, it is called sowbugs. Sowbugs, apparently they are another species of insects similar to the mealybug, it does not roll.
Pill Bugs are also known in other parts of the world as woodlice, and more than insects, they are also considered isopods. This means that these Pill Bugs are closer to ocean creatures like lobsters and crabs.
Pill Bug Vs. Sow Bug
There are some differences between ground and pill bugs. Crustaceans or terrestrial Pill Bugs are very similar to bed bugs, but their bodies are oval, and an articulated and superimposed plate can be seen on their backs. The size of its antennae can reach half the length of its body, and the most seen are usually gray.
The body of the pill bug is rounder and has more depth in its body. When disturbed, this insect tends to roll into a ball. Like the armadillo, it puts its legs inside its body.
This is a type of insect that needs to be in a place where moisture is abundant to survive. It is very common to find them in the northwest due to the type of humid climate that abounds there. The pill bug tends to feed on young plants, and it is for this reason that they can often be considered pests, and many people want to get rid of them.
Although the pill bug is considered a pest, it cannot be denied that they are also a great help for the environment. This insect breaks down the plant matter in decomposition and helps accelerate the recycling of the nutrients it may contain.
When there are large numbers of bed bugs, they can be annoying, especially if they enter your home’s interior space.
How to Get Rid of Pill Bugs in Garden?
If your home has high levels of damp, the pill bugs will likely want to enter. If your house has a lot of humidity, the wood of the infrastructure can also be damaged, or other insects can enter that like the chicness like these temperature conditions.
It is important that you avoid humidity in your home, and to achieve this, there are several options:
- Use range hood fans
- Use bathroom fans
- Ventilation is important in spaces such as the attic.
- Remove excess vegetation outside your home.
- Don’t leave debris outside your home.
The remains of leaves contain a lot of humidity, so they should not be left accumulated for a long time. If you have a rain gutter in your home, it is important that you keep it in good condition and regularly clean it.
You do not need to use chemicals to get rid of bed bugs, as you can use a caulking gun or other tool that is effective in closing holes or cracks that are at ground level.
Homes that have been built on concrete floors may be more prone to bed bugs. Therefore, if you have a concrete floor, it must have a barrier against humidity. If you want to prevent bed bugs from living on your property, it is also essential to:
- Do not use built-in pots.
- Use weather-stripping on the entrance doors to your home.
- Constantly check all the spaces in your home to detect any trace of humidity quickly.
Some traps can be made out of vegetables or other objects to detect bed bugs quickly. Diatomaceous earth is also a good choice to say goodbye to pill bugs.
