Sowbugs
June 25th, 2009 Posted in Ornamental & Lawn Pests
Often referred to as Pill Bugs, Sow Bugs are those little guys you’d find hiding under rocks as you and a friend or sibling stood by the edge of a lake to see who could make the biggest “rock splash.” No, they are not mini-armadillos, and they aren’t as scary as some may think. Compared with other bugs, they actually cause a lot less damage.
The following article will clue you in on:
- Sow Bug Identification
- Sow Bug Daily Life & Inhabitation
- Sow Bug Methods of Control
Anatomy
Like most in the Order and Phylum Isopoda Arthropoda, they have 3 body sections: a head, thorax, and abdomen. They are terrestrial crustaceans, which makes them more closely related to shrimp and crayfish than to insects. They have two sets of antennae, one very noticeable, the other unseen, and 7 pairs of legs to match the 7 separate segments of their thoraxes. At the end of their abdomens they have paired appendages called uropods, and they are usually marked by dark gray or white coloring.
Females and males differ slightly in physique. The underside of the female has a coating of leaf-like growths at the base of certain legs. These are brood patches, and keep developing embryos safe. Males are endowed with two appendages on their abdomens that are longer than the rest and utilized for the purpose of inseminating the female.
The kiddies go through 4 or 5 cycles of molting. And it happens in two stages: first the front half molts, then the bottom follows suit 2 or 3 days later. Physically, aside from size, color, and sexual organ development, they look like mom and dad.
Where are they?
Sow Bugs are omnivorous. They’re also scavengers – often feeding on dead or decaying plants and animals. What is interesting is that they actually breathe with GILLS! So they have to live their lives in an environment of high humidity – making the undersides of rocks, leaf litter, and other crevices perfect spots. But once those are disturbed in any way, some species are known to roll into a ball for protection, and can be pretty quick to scurry away.
Control
Although they are important in the decomposition process, they’re found in homes and gardens nearly everywhere (especially southern states), which makes their taste for plants and decay a problem. If enough of them get together for a feast (they have been known to feed on seedlings, new roots, lower leaves, and fruits or vegetables laying directly on the soil), they do pose a threat, however minor. They don’t bite or sting, and don’t damage your house.
Certain measures are necessary:
- Clean up. Eliminate garden debris, leaf piles, fallen fruit, and weeds from around your home. This reduces their habitat.
- Stay dry. Use coarse mulches that let water pass through easily so the surface next to plants will dry quickly (much to the sow bug’s dismay)
- Fix it. If they’re inside, repair and seal cracks in the foundation, around basement windows, and along doors.
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Alyse Popp
15 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers!
By Holly on Jul 9, 2009
Thanks for all the helpful tips. These disgusting little creatures have invaded by yard and home, but now I feel better prepared to deal with it!
By Kristi on Jul 9, 2009
I have these little creatures in my house, I see at least 3-5 every day! I know they’re harmless and I don’t mind picking them up and putting them outside, but it’s becoming a bit of a pain. I live in a ground level suite and want to find a way to deter them from coming in!
By Regan on Jul 9, 2009
These have been the bane of my existence. They are persistent critters! Glad to see there is a safe control method.
By cc on Jul 9, 2009
I would love to test this product.We have alot of mosquitos in our area and hard to enjoy the outdoors with these pests!
By Patricia Benner on Jul 9, 2009
I have a lot of sowbugs in my garden, I keep the refuse picked up but find them under living plants, watering cans anything that sits for more than a few hours. I have started to see them in the house and although I know they are not harmful (no biting etc) just annoying, I would like a green way of ridding at least the house of them. Any advise would be helpful.
By Jacquelyn Beadle on Jul 9, 2009
Even though pill bugs (sow bugs) are important to the enviroment I still dislike these bugs. My back yard has a nice family living and thriving there.
By Peggy Raymond on Jul 9, 2009
Snowbugs i dislike them they are ugly.
By elane Lee-McPherson on Jul 9, 2009
I think this is something home owners have been waiting for to get rid of snow bugs. Thanks!
By tamela unruh on Jul 9, 2009
I would love to give your products a try.
We have animals, flower beds and a small garden so I have a great opportunity to put them to the test. It would be great to have a ecosmart product that would get rid of the pest.
Thanks for the opportunity.
By Robin Stranahan on Jul 9, 2009
Ants Ants everywhere and nothing has worked I sure would like to try Ecosmart
By Christine Muffuletto on Jul 9, 2009
I have never truly had a green thumb. The biggest part of my problem are the pests that show up and start munching on my flowers, plants, and anything else I attempt to grow. I had an outbreak of gnats at my front doorway a couple of months ago. There were hundreds of them. I never saw anything like this in my life. I used my dog’s tick and flea spray on them. They were totally out of control and entering the house each time the door was opened. I hate to kill things, even if they are pests, but if I have to do it I’d rather use an organic product especially because my grandchildren and neighborhood kids come to visit and we have pets (a dog and cat). Not to mention the environment. I don’t want to harm my pets either. I would love a chance to try the organic pest control. Who knows maybe it would make me brave enough to grow fruits or veggies.
By Marilyn Taylor on Jul 9, 2009
free sample please
By Debbie W. on Jul 10, 2009
These are persistent insects. Trying an organic product would be a good solution. I hate to over spray with harmful products, but if I don’t do something, they can easily get out of control.
By Bill Yee on Jul 17, 2009
I do need some organic method of controlling huge amounts of sow bugs and slugs infesting my raised garden beds. Affected crops are strawberries, cantaloupes, and, possibly, green beans.
By Rebecca Elrod on Sep 14, 2009
I have a sow bug invasion in my laundry/ kitties “ladies room”. The bugs have invaded the laundry room and made home in the litter boxes. I have to empty them daily but by morning they are completely infested again. I have poured bleach and drano down the washer drain thinking that maybe the entry point but no luck. It is so disgusting! If I was a cat- I wouldn’t use those litter boxes! Any advice or treatments are highly needed!