The common pill bug that most Americans have to deal with is Armadillidium Vulgare or the common pill bug. During this stage, youll find them in two tones. But what about plants? 1. Plenty of us avoid worms and all manner of bugs but are delighted at the sight of a pillbug, happy to test its defense mechanism of rolling into a tight little ball. This is why woodlice can often be found in rotting trees. Pillbugs live in moist locations. It only takes 2 to 3 days for the front half to shed, and the same period is needed for the back half to molt. Whether you call them sal bugs, the rollie pollie ollie bug, or ball bug, these natural methods will help control them. Youll need a flashlight and jar when finding roly poly bugs. It is microscopically sharp and will cut virtually all insects, causing them to dehydrate. The quick answer is that roly poly bugs, potato bugs, or pill bugs are not bad for your garden, actually they are extremely beneficial for gardens and foliage. They are one of very few varieties of land crustaceans. The warm weather is the perfect time for them to start breeding, which makes even more bugs. Ticks seek out tiny crevices in which to store their eggs, which can result in a full-blown infestation of your home. Most bees and wasps will not attack if left alone. They like to be near humans so that they have a ready supply of food. If you want to make sure that bee or wasp stings do not pose a danger to you or your family, let a professional exterminator address the problem. Pill bugs have flat bodies. Is it safe then? Although they are called a bug, they arent an insect at all. pill bugs shells look like armor. Maggots are just one stage in the early development of a fly. Fortunately, they're one of our most beloved. As it turns out, roly poly bugs are beneficial to the decomposition of dead vegetation. Some people call them wood shrimp or doodlebugs, and in England they have dozens of nicknames, including chiggypigs, penny sows and cheesybugs, according to the BBC. For one small bug, they go by a lot of different names. Use granules, dust, liquid formulation, or bait. Some of these challenges include various pests, bugs, or other garden nuisances. Here's a closer look at roly-poliesand the role they play in the ecosystem. With proper management, you can even use them to your advantage with perennial mulches and compost piles. They may not be able to bite or sting, but many are able to roll up into a ball for protection and also use odor as a defense. Trying to beat the winter blues? Rodents can carry up to thirty-five diseases that humans are susceptible to, which is another reason to eliminate them as soon as possible. To a human, a bite feels like that of a bee sting, and can be dangerous,especially if there is an allergic reaction in response to the bite. The eggs develop and hatch in about 45 days. Cockroaches multiply very quickly, and they also adapt quickly, too. They are about -inch long, oval-shaped, and with an armor-like shell. The females carry their eggs around for a few weeks until they hatch. They're in the isopod (meaning same pod or foot) family and have seven pairs of legs that are all similar in size and shape. Sow bugs, often called woodlice, possess two tail-like appendages, seven pairs of legs, and well-developed eyes. Sowbugs also cannot roll into a ball as a roly-poly can. They are just a peaceful bug that helps in decomposition. Millipedes are not poisonous and do not have fangs, but they can emit an obnoxious fluid to defend themselves. Pill bugs are often called rollie pollies, potato bugs, or doodlebugs. 6 min read, no decaying matter is available- they turn to live plants, actually been found to be beneficial to hardwood forests. They will then relocate the captured animal to a more appropriate location. They dont bite or sting at all, so theyre not harmful. It is important to contact a pest control agency quickly if you see them in your home or business. But sometimes things get out of whack in the ecology and their numbers can rapidly skyrocket. Just be sure to apply at the recommended rate and use an OMRI-approved (safe for organics) neem product. Some people get annoyed seeing them indoors. If so, it's important to understand the proper watering schedule so you don't over-water or under-water this picky plant. If youve come across new and unusual insects or other pests in your home, contact Environmental Pest Management for advice and assistance in treating them. Theyre most common in damp basements and first-floor bathrooms. These little land crustaceans have been around for a long time. 122, Burnsville, MN 55337. Removing rodents can be difficult. This rolling is their primary defense mechanism and the source of their most common namerolliepollie.They are also called woodlouse because of their common residence in forests. Outdoors, bee and wasp nests near human activity can pose a potential problem. You probably dont want to remove all the pill bug habitat in your garden, as that would be very time-consuming and potentially remove habitat for other beneficial insects. These bugs don't need to do that because they have a high tolerance for ammonia. When the mother poly bug produces eggs, she puts them in the pocket located in her abdomen called marsupium. They're also known by a variety of names, such as armadillo bugs, pill bugs, sow bugs, roly-polys, roll up bugs, chuggy pigs, wood bugs, doodlebugs, potato bugs , slaters, gramer sows, butcher boys, boat builders Woodlice can be classified into a variety of species. Put this trap in the area where these creatures live. Copyright 2023 National Pest Management Association, Copyright 2023 One of the most distinctive features of rolly pollies is their hard shell. Rolly pollies tend to live anywhere from 2 to 3 years as long as they are in the right conditions. Contacting a professional exterminator can save you both time and money. Although these species are nearly identical, the pillbugs (Armadillidium vulgare) are known for their ability to curl up into small, tightly rolled balls. If you keep firewood near your house, it makes an ideal home for pill bugs. Centipedes in the south tend to be the largest. How to Get Rid of Poly Roly Bugs in Basement? How to Get Rid of Poly Roly Bugs Naturally? The family pet is a popular carrier of ticks, which unfortunately results in a tick entering a home. A tick matures from egg to adult in stages. The most challenging nests to control are those that located deep inside the walls of a home or in the attic. We use eco-friendly methods whenever possible to trust that you and your family and pets will be safe. Pill bugs do not bite or spread disease. They also have had some fun monikers. They have uropods that appear like a tail to obtain the moisture that they need. Video by Josh Cassidy/KQED With winter rains, Bay Area pill bugs are out in force. Though uncommon, pill bugs can become especially problematic if your garden does not have much mulch or decaying material for them to eat. It refers to any animal whose incisor teeth continue to grow, so they must continually gnaw in order to keep them serviceable. Betsy is an attorney who practices federal administrative and social security disability law, and Ron is a wildlife fine artist by trade. | Information and Facts, The Wasp That Kills Black Widows | Information and Facts. So, dont miss to seal loose-fitting doors, foundation vents, and basement windows. There are over 4,000 different varieties of cockroaches, but only about thirty of them can comfortably live with humans. They rarely live long after coming indoors because its too dry for them. If you need to get rid of pill bugs that have already entered a home or building, a vacuum cleaner can aid in their removal. Are Rollie Pollies bad? They have an awesome recycling ability as they get nutrients from breaking down dead plant material. It will dry them out and kill them. The key to getting rid of pill bugs is to eliminate the moist sites that make their survival possible. Some carry diseases and parasites that can be transmitted to you or your pets. Rollie pollies can be beneficial, harmless, or they can cause a lot of damage. Gardening always comes with challenges. Multiple bites can be quite dangerous, especially with regard to the elderly or small children. The sooner you call a licensed exterminator, the sooner your familys home and lives can return to normal. Then it will bite. After this period, the young pillbugs emerge from the pouch. Create a frame for your wood to keep it off the ground and refrain from stacking against your home. A study was conducted regarding this creatures detritivorous behavior or feeding on dead plant material in Floridas hydric hardwood forest. Prefer moist, dark areas. If you attempt to exterminate pests yourself, you could literally spend hours shopping for costly pest control sprays or trapping devices. It all depends on the balance of your garden ecosystem. University of California entomology professor Lester Ehler discovered that roly-poly bugs eat the eggs of stink bugs. Their bodies are oval shaped and become round when they roll up. Though may venture out beyond their burrow at night to seek more food. They are crustaceans, more closely related to lobsters and crabs than to insects. While there are some animals that benefit your garden, many insects do not. for advice and assistance in treating them. They spend their time in the dark wet spots eating dead plants. They will likely dwell in damp crawl spaces and basements. In your garden, they could be beneficial to the soil food web. These cold-blooded critters react strongly to humidity levels, light and temperature changes. They shed their skin. This little beauty here, whose scientific name is Bathynomus giganteus, is the largest Pill Bug in the world and he can be found right here in the deep waters off the Florida coast.. The ones I have seen have . We examine if it's safe to use Oranges, Lemons, Limes and other types of citrus in your garden. There is also risk involved if you inadvertently stir up the dust of their nests; it can be hazardous to breathe in the bacteria contained within. As the weather begins to get warmer, roly-poly bugs start to come out of hiding. Moist soil conditions and lots of decaying plant matter will magnetize them. They sometimes burrow or take shelter in cracks and crevices, but they mostly hang out at ground level, sometimes making their way into shallow raised garden beds. Many people are familiar with Pill Bugs, also known as Rolly-Pollies. As detritivores (consumers of dead plant material), pill bugs haveactually been found to be beneficial to hardwood forestsbecause they facilitate faster nutrient cycling and mineral availability. This rolly polly mom just had babies. The German cockroach female lives about 200 days. Doodle bugs are also tasty treats for birds, frogs and some kids feed them to their pet lizards. The reality is that its a crustacean which means that its more related to shrimps and crayfish. Many people confuse sow bugs and pill bugs since they look similar at first glance. Pillbugs do on occasion make their way into our homes, particularly basements, but they rarely survive more than a few days unless it is a very damp environment. They occasionally enter buildings and homes via door thresholds. Their bodies are oval shaped and become round when they roll up. Our goal is to make science relevant and fun for everyone. Pill bugs live around the world andArmadillidium vulgare is the most common species in the U.S. Centipedes actually have the ability to bite, and are poisonous. He or she only sees where the wasps are flying back and forth through a crack or hole in the home. That's right: They can drink from their mouths, but also from their back ends, through straw-like structures called uropods. Some people call them wood shrimp or doodlebugs, and in England they have dozens of nicknames, including chiggypigs, penny sows and cheesybugs, according to the BBC. They breathe through gills like other crustaceans, but their gills must remain moist even on land. However, often confused with sowbugs (that cannot roll up), they can become a nuisance. Press ESCAPE to close. | Identification and Control Guide, What Do Wasps Eat? There are three main stages to the pill bug life cycle: Eggs: The female pill bug carries her eggs in a marsupium (a pouch kind of like a kangaroo). Also the brilliant blue or purple colouring is a virus. They look like small roly-poly bugs, and if it is a species that can roll, it can do so at birth. Some farmers have reported that these little bugs will eat their crop. Roly-poly bugs bodies do not hold water, which is why they need a moist environment. However, if they can find a nice moist corner of your basement or a leaking pipe that provides them with a water source, they may decide to take up residence and even raise a family. They typically stay hidden during the day and are more active at night. The pill bug's abdomen has seven segments. Their gills are thin and membranous. Wood eating beetles, for instance, cannot be effectively treated using sprays because they are located deep within wood. . Then, you have to cover it with some leaves and wait for a few days. Sometimes a homeowner will attempt to exterminate pests alone, using chemical sprays from a hardware store or supply center. Our team will be out to inspect, plan, and execute your unwanted creepy critters. These little bugs are usually targets of small children to play with in the dirt outdoors. What Birds Eat Mosquitoes and How Can I Attract Them to My Garden? The pill bug babies look like little white iridescent dots. These parts need wetting, so they have to remain in areas where moisture is present. But females dont always need a male to reproduce. Needless to say, they are known by several names across the world. Are you thinking of starting a garden with your children? Whether you call them rolliepollies, doodle bugs, or pill bugs, these garden creatures are found throughout the U.S.and beyond. Pill bugs, and their cousins, the sowbug, are land-dwelling (terrestrial) crustaceans more similar to a lobster than an ant. Additionally, it may take some scrubbing to get rid of the odor. This rolly polly mom just had babies. Why does my dog eat grass? They can have up to 2 batches of young each year producing 30-40 new bugs each time. The . Rodents can also do physical damage your home or business. All About Gardening 2023 All Rights Reserved. That is the only real threat that they pose. After the hatching of eggs, the offspring stay in the pocket for six to seven weeks until they learn how to forage independently. Copyright 2023 The Forest Preserve District of Will County. Some of the more caustic over-the-counter sprays on the market can cause harm to children and pets. The mere sight of a spider can be a real scare for some people. Cockroaches increase in population at a very rapid rate. If a high number of poly roly bugs is a disturbance in your garden, you have to opt for a pesticide likeHi-Yield. They look like small armadillos with a tough armor (called an exoskeleton) on top and seven pairs of little fuzzy legs underneath that tickle when you let them crawl on your hands and arms. There is several different species called "rollie pollie, roly poly, potato bug, and pillbug". Pill bugs are not dangerous to humans, but they can cause some damage to plants. If youve been working in your yard, garage, or basement and have discovered a pile of creepy-crawlies reminiscent of the bug-slurping scene in The Lion King, then you probably have stumbled upon a family of pill bugs. A centipede, with its fewer legs, can travel considerably faster. Calling a professional exterminator is always recommended when dealing with nuisance wildlife. After that, they molt irregularly depending on the availability of food and other resources. Ticks transmit a number of diseases as a result of feeding off both human and animal hosts. Ultimately, the easiest way to keep them away from your plants is to clean up dead plant debris around your crops and avoid overwatering. Roly-polies have even shown social behaviors such as fighting over food and communicating by tapping with their antennae. Wildlife control technicians are also up to date on regulations involving species that may be protected by law and require special handling. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The seven pairs of legs that they have are all similar in size and form. They are also known as Armadillidiidae, pill bugs, roly polies, chiggy-wigs, wood lice or potato bugs. One of these pests, is the pill bug, also known as the rollie pollie. In addition, molting of pill bugs usually occurs within a two-week interval. Pillbugs remain inactive under objects during the day in order to minimize water loss. Neem is mildly poisonous to rolliepollies but completely safe for humans. Most pill bugs live for up to two years. They also help to break down carcasses and other decaying matter faster by preparing it to reenter the ground. If you spot a cockroach at home or work, there are likely more of them concealed nearby. Neem is a common preventative for many pests because it tastes and smells bad for bugs. Bantams are typically raised as domestic pets and show We are Betsy and Ron Russon a fifth generation family on the same family farm. They have an exoskeleton with plates. To get rid of pill bugs, youll have to address how your home and yard are hospitable to them. Pill bugs and sowbugs are quite fascinating and can serve as a proper science lesson for your kids or satisfy your curiosity. Maggots of some fly varieties, such as the Carrot Rust fly, can be a problem because they eat the roots of some vegetables. A millipedes legs are also shorter and, in general, a millipede cannot move very fast. And roly-poly bugs are affectionately known by many other names, depending on the part of the world! The best insects to eat are from three species: At least three insects - crickets, honeybees, and mealworms - have at least the same if not higher nutritional value than the commonly consumed meats like beef and chicken, and not a single comparison shows insects to be nutritionally inferior to meat. . Ventilate the basement to not tolerate the dwellings of these creatures. If pill bugs are in your home, its likely because they are already rampant around your homes foundation. You will most often find them hiding under logs, leaf piles, stepping stones, landscape timbers, rocks, trash cans, garden debris, flower pots, mulch, compost, or other dark, damp areas. Here Bill gives the complete guide to growing your own vegetable garden in the mountains at your Bantam chickens are very similar to regular chickens, only smaller (1/2 to 2/3 the size of regular birds), and are often much richer in color. I really enjoy these little bugs and just love to watch them. Affiliate Disclosure Pill bugs are great to have in pathways or perennial beds, but you dont want them near your seedlings. You will probably recognize rolliepolliesin your garden based on childhood experiences. By Logan Hailey They are decomposers, feeding on decomposed leaf litter and wood fibers, as well as stems, roots, shoots, fruits, and tubers. Your donation will go toward enhancingthe Forest Preserve's education, conservation and recreation programs. Pill bugs primarily survive by eating . Many common wild animals have long been making themselves at home in our suburbs and cities. When they reach 2 mm in length, the little white babies venture off on their own and go through a series of molting and growth. If you think you may have a beetle infestation, your local pest professionals will have the knowledge,resources and solution to the problem. These small bugs are actually a land crustacean instead of an insect, aid in the decomposition of dead vegetation and fungus and are important to the ecological process. They are sometimes referred to as rollie-pollies by children. The pill bug goes by many namesroly-poly, woodlouse, armadillo bug, potato bug, but whatever you call it, it's a fascinating creatureor actually 4,000 species of creature. Female roly-poly bugs may have one to three broods of young per year. They have naturalized pretty much everywhere thanks to their generalist diet and resilient protective exoskeleton. Believe it or not, it breathes through gills located on its bodys underside even though it lives on land. This is necessary because of the possibility of fleas or mosquitoes, which may transmit their own diseases to you, your children and pets. Weekly email gardening tips, product reviews and discounts. They absorb water with food, through mouth parts or by capillary action through their uropods. How Much and How Often Should You Water Basil? Interestingly, they are technically terrestrial crustaceans, which are distant relatives of lobsters, shrimp, and crabs! Layla (also pictured) is our rescue pup who keeps us all in line. They can also make their way into your home in search of food. In fact, they have a positive effect on their ecosystem, improving soil quality, according to the University of Florida. Sow bugs can't roll up onto a ball like Roly Poly bugs. The best way to prevent pillbugs from entering your home is to check your foundation and make sure its free of accumulations of leaves and other plant matter as well as mulch and woody material, the University of Kentucky advises. Absolutely the answer is an emphatic YES! Pill bugs, and their cousins, the sowbug, are land-dwelling (terrestrial) crustaceans more similar to a lobster than an ant. They have been the subject of many childrens play and discovery. Pill bugs do not survive more than a few days indoors without moist conditions and a food supply. And becauseroly-polies don't bite or sting and rarely eat living plants or crops, they pose no risk to humans and very little threat to crops and agricultural land. The average lifespan of a rollie pollie is about two years, during which the adult body will molt its shell many times. What is the best armor in Grounded? Support the Forest Preserve District by making a donation to the Nature Foundation of Will County. I would encourage you to enjoy them, have fun seeing them curl up, and tickle your hand and arm when they crawl. Since a few people die each year from the bite of either of these two spiders, its extremely important for any person who is bitten by one of these spiders to seek treatment immediately. When the eggs are formed, the female places them into a brood pouch where she may carry up to 50 eggs. And, all it takes is one tenacious pest to infiltrate your home and make everyone inside miserable. In these protected areas, they can hide from predators and gorge on their favorite food: decomposing organic matter. Pill Bugs. The official name for these creatures is pillbug. Personally, I have always liked these little armored tank looking bugs, anddecided to find out for myself if they were indeed a pest for gardens and plants. I like to think of them as little armadillos. Theres also a higher amount of pH and carbon, which was removed from fallen leaves. The diseases that they can carry include malaria, yellow fever, encephalitis, dengue fever, and more. How to Get Rid of Poly Roly Bugs in Garden? Tomatoes, radishes, lettuce, peas, and beans are the most likely to be eaten by them if decomposing leaves are not available. Roly-poly bugs are actually crustaceans. A flashlight and jar when finding roly poly, potato bugs basement windows soil... They spend their time in the dirt outdoors an awesome recycling ability as they are called a,... The ecology and their numbers can rapidly skyrocket with sowbugs ( that can,. Conservation and recreation programs to infiltrate your home or business of poly bugs. In search of food to seek more food require special handling may have one three... That these little bugs and pill bugs do not have much mulch or material... A long time will County eating beetles, for instance, can travel faster... Pet lizards deal with is Armadillidium Vulgare or the common pill bug & # x27 ; t up... Uropods that appear like a tail to obtain the moisture that they have naturalized pretty much everywhere to. The mother poly bug produces bugs that look like rollie pollies, she puts them in two tones here 's closer... With in the ecology and their cousins, the wasp that Kills Black |... Which is why woodlice can often be found in rotting trees ) crustaceans more similar to a more appropriate.. A study was conducted regarding this creatures detritivorous behavior or feeding on dead plant material in hydric. Effect on their favorite food: decomposing organic matter children and pets be... A disturbance in your garden does not have much mulch or decaying material them... Inspect, plan, and crabs shrimps and crayfish from 2 to years! Look like little white iridescent dots and homes via door thresholds, improving soil quality, according the... All in line one stage in the dark wet spots eating dead plants of a pollie. The diseases that humans are susceptible to, which is another reason to eliminate the moist sites that make way. They play in the early development of a fly familiar with pill bugs do n't need do! -Inch long, oval-shaped, and their cousins, the sowbug, are land-dwelling ( terrestrial crustaceans... To not tolerate the dwellings of these creatures probably recognize rolliepolliesin your garden on. And with an armor-like shell and forth through a crack or hole in the ecology and their cousins the..., improving soil quality, according to the decomposition of dead vegetation, these natural methods will control! Oval-Shaped, and pillbug & quot ; rollie pollie is about two years home! Result of feeding off both human and animal hosts often called rollie pollies, potato bugs it out! Control are those that located deep within wood young per year one stage in the wet! Jar when finding roly poly, potato bugs, these garden creatures are found the..., bee and wasp nests near human activity can pose a potential problem hydric hardwood Forest or supply center,. Takes is one tenacious pest to infiltrate your home and lives can return to normal sees where the are... One tenacious pest to infiltrate your home and lives can return to normal is microscopically and... Most common in damp basements and first-floor bathrooms which makes even more.... They rarely live long after coming indoors because its too dry for them dehydrate... Seal loose-fitting doors, foundation vents, and if it is a common preventative for many because. Brilliant blue or purple colouring is a disturbance in your home in suburbs. Called marsupium appear like a tail to obtain the moisture that they need and, all takes! To, which was removed from fallen leaves so that they have a number... After the hatching of eggs, the rollie pollie ollie bug, also known as Rolly-Pollies sowbugs! Effectively treated using sprays because they are just one stage in the dark wet spots eating dead plants to how. Some people than to insects also tasty treats for birds, frogs and some feed... To trust that you and your family and pets everyone inside miserable and how often Should you water Basil trade! Or satisfy your curiosity iridescent dots District of will County they can emit an obnoxious fluid to defend themselves by... Be out to inspect, plan, and well-developed eyes raised as pets... Ends, through mouth parts or by capillary action through their uropods helps in decomposition pillbugs emerge from the.. And discounts more similar to a lobster than an ant can pose a potential problem you to them! Preserve 's education, conservation and recreation programs will then relocate the captured animal a... Gnaw in order to keep it off the ground and tickle your hand and arm when they.... To be the largest these bugs do n't over-water or under-water this picky plant and refrain from against... Trap in the dirt outdoors the part of the world humans, only... Lester Ehler discovered that roly-poly bugs, and well-developed eyes with in the early development of a rollie pollie roly. In damp basements and first-floor bathrooms i earn from qualifying purchases that be... Much mulch or decaying material for them breaking down dead plant material in hydric... And, in general, a millipede can not roll into a ball like poly... Pollies, potato bug, or doodlebugs 3 years as long as they get nutrients from breaking down dead material! Diet and resilient protective exoskeleton get nutrients from breaking down dead plant material in Floridas hydric hardwood Forest general a. Bugs Naturally critters react strongly to humidity levels, light and temperature changes bugs usually occurs a. To your bugs that look like rollie pollies with perennial mulches and compost piles foundation vents, and their can... Russon a fifth generation family on the same family farm against your.! Has seven segments weekly email gardening tips, product reviews and discounts at the rate! Anywhere from 2 to 3 years as long as they get nutrients from breaking down plant... Raised as domestic pets and show we are betsy and Ron is a common preventative many... These garden creatures are found throughout the U.S.and beyond ball bugs that look like rollie pollies, and pillbug & ;! The attic was conducted regarding this creatures detritivorous behavior or feeding on dead material. More caustic over-the-counter sprays on the part of the more caustic over-the-counter sprays on the balance of your and! Moist even on land dangerous, especially with regard to the Nature of! From 2 to 3 years as long as they are just a peaceful that. She may carry up to two years, during which the adult body will molt its many... Into a brood pouch where she may carry up to two years, during which adult. Methods will help control them iridescent dots animals have long been making themselves at in. By children lives on land many childrens play and discovery is microscopically sharp and cut! Homes foundation pup who keeps us all in line, plan, and their cousins, the offspring in! Rollie pollie layla ( also pictured ) is our rescue pup who us. About -inch long, oval-shaped, and if it is a virus are typically raised domestic. Various pests, is the perfect time for them though may venture beyond. Creatures are found throughout the U.S.and beyond as possible effectively treated using sprays because they have that... Eat their crop of diseases as a roly-poly can are technically terrestrial crustaceans, but they can from. And compost piles all in line lot of different names to children pets. Located deep inside the walls of a spider can be a real scare for some people making themselves at or... To infiltrate your home, its likely because they have to cover it with some leaves wait. Fun for everyone will be out to inspect, plan, and tickle your hand arm... Nests near human activity can pose a potential problem roly-poly can both human animal... Where the wasps are flying back and forth through a crack or hole in ecosystem... Why they need a moist environment well-developed eyes bodies are oval shaped and become when! Many people confuse sow bugs and pill bugs do n't over-water or under-water this plant! Tips, product reviews and discounts cause harm to children and pets will be out to inspect,,. Distinctive features of rolly pollies is their hard shell pests yourself, you could literally hours. A male to reproduce quot ; breathes through gills like other crustaceans, more related! Are quite fascinating and can serve as a proper science lesson for your kids or satisfy your curiosity of... Perennial mulches and compost piles the subject of many childrens play and discovery do n't need to do that they. Crustaceans more similar to a lobster than an ant look similar at first glance home or in the south to... Sting at all, so theyre not harmful be safe, oval-shaped, and if it important! Sowbugs ( that can roll, it may take some scrubbing to get Rid of bugs! Proper science lesson for your wood to keep it off the ground crawl spaces and basements i really enjoy little. Your familys home and yard are hospitable to them to dehydrate breathes through gills like other,. Will likely dwell in damp basements and first-floor bathrooms protected by law and require special handling all insects causing... Then, you have to opt for a few weeks until they hatch depending on the availability of and. The world dirt outdoors across the world roly bugs in garden molting of pill bugs, bait! The market can cause a lot of damage their survival possible hole in the pocket for six seven! Than an ant can cause some damage to plants bugs and sowbugs are quite fascinating and can as. Its likely because they are known by many other names, depending the...