Characteristics: Despite their name, sowbugs, sometimes called a woodlouse, are not really bugs. They are land-living crustaceans. Another crustacean, the pillbug , resembles the sowbug. Sowbugs cannot roll up when they are disturbed like pillbugs do. Sowbugs have two appendages that look like tails. Pillbugs do not have the appendages. Sowbugs eat organic debris and decaying plants, so it is common to find them under mulch in flowerbeds.
To conserve moisture, they are usually active at night. Sowbugs are not able to retain water in their bodies, so they spend most of their time in damp places. Outdoors they hide under:. Call Residential Commercial. Porcellio laevis. What Orkin Does Your local Orkin technician is trained to help manage sowbugs and similar pests. Call us or. Their oval, segmented bodies are convex above but flat or concave underneath.
They possess seven pairs of legs and two pairs of antennae only one pair of antennae is readily visible. Sowbugs also have two tail-like appendages which project out from the rear end of the body. Pillbugs have no posterior appendages and can roll up into a tight ball when disturbed, for which they are sometimes called "roly-polies".
Sowbugs and pillbugs are scavengers and feed mainly on decaying organic matter. They occasionally feed on young plants but the damage inflicted is seldom significant. Sowbugs and pillbugs thrive only in areas of high moisture, and tend to remain hidden under objects during the day. Around buildings they are common under mulch, compost, boards, stones, flower pots, and other items resting on damp ground. Another frequent hiding place is behind the grass edge adjoining sidewalks and foundations.
Sowbugs and pillbugs may leave their natural habitats at night, and crawl about over sidewalks, patios, and foundations. They often invade crawl spaces, damp basements and first floors of houses at ground level. Sowbugs pose no physical threats to people or pets, but are considered nuisances.
They often gather in large numbers, which can be alarming. A professional pest control service will be able to administer the correct pesticides and eradicate your sowbug infestation. Resolving your pest problem is our 1 priority. If re-treatment is required, we'll provide immediate services at no extra cost.
If your expectations are not met, we guarantee a full refund of your service payment. We work hard to listen, understand and assess your unique situation.
Request a free, no-obligation estimate today for a customized pest program that fits your needs. Residential Commercial. Identification Colour Dark grey, slate Size About 1. Sowbugs have two appendages that look like tails.
Test pillbug responses to moisture. Here's how: Take a batch of medium to large pillbugs specimens and place them in a petri dish or jar on dry filter paper. Keep the container in dim light, and observe the reaction of the bugs for minutes. How do the pillbugs react? Record your observations. Now put the same pillbugs in a container with just a small piece of damp paper. What do you observe? Why do you think pillbugs reacted the way they did? Think about where you find pillbugs - in damp or dry areas?
Did you know that pillbugs have gills and they do not retain water well? Within a minute or two you should have seen them clump together when they were placed on the dry paper, indicating a need to reduce water loss from their bodies. Test pillbug responses to temperature. Here's how: Place four to six pillbugs in a small jar with a cover, and float the jar on water in a pan.
Add ice cubes and a thermometer, and stir gently so as not to tip the jar.
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