Have you ever stepped outside your house, noticed an unusually large number of scurrying little creatures, and thought, "Why are there so many rollie pollies outside my house?"
A lot of homeowners have probably wondered the same as you. Rolly pollies are quite common around the world, including right here in Temecula.
A few of these creatures are fine, but when too many of them gather together and hang around, it definitely becomes a pill bug problem that you should be wary of.
So, why are there so many rollie pollies outside your house? Well, we're going to talk about that today and more, including how you can implement effective pest control solutions in Temecula and keep your home free from these unwelcome guests.
Key Takeaways
Pill bugs thrive in moist environments and feed on decaying plant matter.
Natural control methods include using diatomaceous earth and creating food traps.
Professional pest control may be necessary for persistent or large infestations.
What Are Rollie Pollies?
Rollie pollies are known by many names. One of the most common is pill bugs. They're also called roly polies (spelled with one 'l' only), woodlice, or doodle bugs and are fascinating creatures with a rich scientific background. Despite often being mistaken for insects, pill bugs are actually crustaceans, similar to shrimp and lobsters. Their scientific name is Armadillidium vulgare, and they are the only crustaceans that have fully adapted to living on land for their entire lives.
Pill bugs have a distinctive appearance that makes them easy to identify. They are small, oval-shaped creatures with a hard, armor-like shell made up of seven hard plates. These plates provide them with protection and allow them to roll up into a tight ball when they feel threatened, hence the nickname "roly-polies." This defensive posture helps them avoid predators and survive in their environment.
Pill bugs are typically slate gray to dark brown and measure about ¾ inch in length. They have seven pairs of legs and two pairs of antennae, which they use to navigate their surroundings and find food.
Pill bugs vs. snow bugs
While pill bugs and sowbugs are often mentioned together, there are key differences between them. Both belong to the same family of terrestrial crustaceans, but sowbugs cannot roll into a ball like pill bugs.
Additionally, sowbugs have two small tail-like appendages at the end of their bodies, which pill bugs lack. These small distinctions help differentiate between the two, although their habits and habitats are quite similar.
Why are they outside my home?
Pill bugs are commonly found outside houses due to their need for moist environments and abundant organic matter. They thrive in damp areas with excessive moisture, such as under mulch, wood piles, and landscape timbers. The decaying plant matter and other organic debris provide food for pill bugs, making gardens and flower beds ideal habitats.
Heavy rainfall and early summer conditions can increase their presence as they seek these favorable conditions. Additionally, cracks in the home's foundation and gaps around doors and windows can harbor pill bugs, allowing them to accumulate around the exterior of your house.
The Pill Bug Life Cycle
Roly polies have a fascinating life cycle. It begins with eggs carried by the female in a brood pouch called a marsupium. This pouch is located on the underside of her body and provides a moist environment crucial for the eggs' development. The female can produce up to three broods each year, with each brood containing between 100 to 200 eggs.
After an incubation period of about three to four weeks, the eggs hatch, and the young pill bugs emerge from the brood pouch. These young pill bugs, known as mancae, are miniature versions of the adults but lack fully developed body segments and legs.
As they grow, they undergo several molts, shedding their exoskeletons to allow for growth. This process is essential for their development and occurs multiple times throughout their lives.
Pill bugs have a relatively long lifespan for small terrestrial crustaceans, living up to two to five years under optimal conditions. Their ability to thrive in moist environments with abundant decaying plant matter helps ensure their longevity.
Interesting facts about their development and molting process
One of the most intriguing aspects of pill bug development is their molting process. Unlike many insects, pill bugs molt in two phases. They shed the exoskeleton from the front half of their body first, followed by the back half a few days later. This bifurcated molting process allows them to continue moving and feeding, even during this vulnerable stage of growth.
During the molting period, pill bugs are particularly vulnerable to predators and environmental hazards. Therefore, they seek shelter in moist areas under rocks, mulch, or decaying wood, where they can safely complete their molting process.
This behavior explains why residents frequently find pill bugs in damp basements, under landscape timbers, and near the home's foundation, especially during periods of excessive moisture or heavy rainfall.
Benefits and Drawbacks
While insects are probably not your favorite thing to see on your property, roly polys can't be fully categorized as pests. That's because they can be both helpful and problematic, depending on the context.
How pill bugs are helpful
Pill bugs play a significant role in natural composting and soil health. As scavengers, they feed on decaying plant matter, breaking it down into smaller pieces. This process helps to decompose organic material, returning valuable nutrients to the soil. This natural composting enriches the soil, promoting healthier plant growth.
In addition to composting, pill bugs help aerate the soil. As they burrow and move through the ground, they create small tunnels, which allow air and water to reach plant roots more efficiently. This soil aeration improves the overall health of the garden, making it more conducive for plant growth.
How pill bugs are not
While pill bugs are beneficial in many ways, they can also cause problems, especially in gardens. One of the main drawbacks is their potential to damage young plants and seedlings. Although they primarily feed on decaying plant material, pill bugs can sometimes turn to tender plant roots and young seedlings, causing damage that can stunt plant growth or even kill young plants.
This behavior can be particularly problematic in gardens where seedlings are vulnerable and require protection to ensure healthy growth. Preventing pill bugs from accessing these young plants is crucial to minimize potential damage.
Harmless to humans and pets
Despite being an annoyance to gardeners, pill bugs are relatively harmless to humans and pets. They do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases, making them one of the least concerning pests in terms of health risks. Their primary interest lies in moist environments with plenty of decaying organic matter, not in interacting with people or pets.
Pill bugs' harmless nature means that while they can be a sign of excessive moisture or decaying plant material around your home, they do not pose any direct threat. Their presence often indicates a need to address underlying issues like damp basements, leaky pipes, or poor drainage around your home's foundation.
I Also Have Pill Bugs Inside My Home. What Now?
If you've noticed pill bugs, or roly-polies, around and inside your home, you might be wondering why these little critters are venturing indoors.
Remember that pill bugs are attracted to environments that provide the moisture and food sources they need to survive. Indoors, they typically seek out damp, dark areas such as basements, first-floor bathrooms, and areas with excess moisture. Homes with issues like leaky pipes, ill-fitting screens, or poor ventilation can become ideal harbors for pill bugs.
Pill bugs often enter homes during periods of heavy rainfall or early summer when outdoor conditions become unfavorable. They seek refuge indoors to escape the excessive moisture or extreme weather conditions outside. Once inside, they gravitate towards areas that mimic their natural habitat—places with high humidity and organic matter to feed on.
How they enter
Pill bugs typically enter homes through small cracks and gaps in the foundation, doors, and windows. Any small opening that allows them access can become an entry point. Here are some of the common ways pill bugs find their way inside:
Cracks and gaps: Small openings in the foundation, walls, or around pipes can serve as entry points for pill bugs. Sealing these cracks and gaps can help prevent them from entering.
Doors and windows: Doors and windows that do not seal properly or have gaps around the edges are common entry points. Make sure all doors and windows close tightly, and use weather stripping to reduce the chances of pill bugs getting inside.
Ill-fitting screens: Damaged or ill-fitting screens on windows and doors can allow pill bugs to enter your home. Repair or replace these screens to keep them out.
Natural Remedies and Control Methods
If you're looking to control pill bugs naturally, there are several effective methods that can help keep these pests at bay without resorting to harsh chemicals. Here are some natural remedies and control methods to prevent pill bugs from becoming a problem around your home.
Use diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth is a natural, non-toxic substance that can be very effective in controlling pill bugs. This fine powder is made from the fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of algae. When sprinkled around areas where pill bugs are found, diatomaceous earth dehydrates the bugs, ultimately killing them.
To use it effectively:
Sprinkle a thin layer of diatomaceous earth around the perimeter of your home, especially near doors, windows, and other entry points.
Apply it around the base of plants, mulch, and other areas where pill bugs harbor.
Reapply after rain or heavy watering, as moisture can reduce its effectiveness.
Create barriers with cantaloupe or hollowed-out potato
Another natural method to control pill bugs involves using food traps like cantaloupe or hollowed-out potatoes. These traps attract pill bugs due to their moisture content and then make it easy to remove them:
Cut a cantaloupe in half and place it cut-side down in your garden or near areas where pill bugs are present. Check the traps daily and dispose of any pill bugs you find.
Alternatively, hollow out a potato and place it with the cut side down. The pill bugs will be attracted to the moist interior and can be easily collected and removed.
Manual removal methods
Manual removal is a straightforward and immediate way to reduce pill bug populations:
Use a vacuum cleaner to suck up pill bugs you find indoors. This method is
particularly effective for removing large numbers of bugs quickly.
For outdoor areas, use a broom to sweep pill bugs into a dustpan and then relocate them away from your home or dispose of them.
Regularly check and clean areas where pill bugs are likely to gather, such as under pots, in damp corners, and around piles of wood or debris.
Say Goodbye to Pill Bugs with Expert Help!
While natural remedies and DIY methods can be effective for controlling pill bugs, there are times when calling a professional pest control service becomes necessary. Knowing when to seek expert help can save you time and effort and prevent further damage to your home and garden.
Persistent infestations: If you've tried various methods to control pill bugs, but they keep returning, it might be time to call in the professionals. Persistent infestations can indicate a deeper issue that requires expert assessment and treatment.
Large numbers: When you notice an unusually large number of pill bugs both inside and outside your home, despite your efforts to keep them at bay, professional intervention may be necessary to address the root cause of the problem.
Damage to plants: Significant damage to your garden plants and seedlings by pill bugs can be a sign that their population is too large for DIY methods to handle. Professionals can provide targeted treatments to protect your plants and reduce pill bug numbers.
If these indicators are present, a local pest control service like LOCAL Bug Guy can help. We provide expert pill bug control for your home and garden. With each of our techs operating only two to three zip codes each, we can schedule you for service without you having to wait for weeks.
Keep pill bugs away. Contact your LOCAL Bug Guy today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have so many Rollie Pollies outside my house?
Pill bugs, or rollie pollies, are attracted to moist environments and decaying plant matter. They thrive in areas with excessive moisture, such as under mulch, wood piles, and landscape timbers. Heavy rainfall and early summer conditions can also increase their presence as they seek out these favorable conditions.
How do I get rid of rolly-pollies in my yard?
To get rid of pill bugs in your yard, reduce moisture by improving drainage, removing excess mulch, and keeping wood piles off the ground. You can also use natural remedies such as diatomaceous earth and food traps like cantaloupe or hollowed-out potatoes. Regularly check and clean damp areas where pill bugs harbor.
Are roly poly bugs harmful?
Rollie pollies are harmless to humans and pets. They do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases. However, they can cause damage to young plants and seedlings by feeding on tender plant roots, which can be problematic in gardens.
What does it mean when you see a rollie-pollie?
Seeing a rollie pollie often indicates excessive moisture or decaying plant material in the area. Their presence can suggest underlying issues such as poor drainage, damp basements, or leaky pipes that need to be addressed to prevent infestations.
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