A sowbug (woodlouse) is a tiny land arthropod (jointed-legged animal). Sowbugs are often confused with insects, centipedes, and millipedes but are actually crustaceans. They have 14 legs and breathe through gills. Their primary diet consists of dead plants, and in that sense, are considered beneficial because they act as “garbage collectors.”
Sowbugs and pillbugs are among the very few crustaceans that live on land. While they are classified as crustaceans, sowbugs don’t look like shrimps or crabs (although they’re closely related). They don’t taste the same either, as sowbugs have an unpleasant taste similar to urine.
Sowbugs Identification
The woodlouse has a shell-like exoskeleton that it gradually sheds as it grows. The moulting takes place in two stages. The back half is lost first, followed two or three days later by the front. This method of moulting is different from most arthropods, which shed cuticles in a single process.
A female sowbug will keep fertilized eggs in a marsupium on the underside of her body. Females are capable of reproducing asexually or they don’t need a mate to reproduce.
The appearance of sowbugs is usually compared to that of armadillos because of two reasons: 1) because they are both dark gray or slate in color, and 2) they both have an armored look. The main difference is their size: adult sowbugs are only about 1.5 centimeters long.
Description
- Color: Dark grey, slate
- Size: About 1.5 cm long
- Also known as: Woodlice, Isopods
Sowbugs have oval, flat bodies, made up of a segmented, rigid, long exoskeleton and 14 jointed limbs. They have 2 appendages that look like tails.
Habitat
Sowbugs live under rocks, leaves, and other organic debris. They require moist, humid conditions to survive. You can also find them in basements, under leaky sinks, and laundry rooms. Without moisture, the life span of sowbugs significantly decreases.
Diet
The diet of sowbugs consists mainly of decaying matter, including leaves, grass, insect and animal remains, and dirt.
Life Cycle
Female sowbugs carry eggs in their underside pouches for about 21 days. Once they have hatched, they go through 15 stages of development before reaching adulthood. Adult sowbugs usually live for approximately a year. If conditions are ideal, some sowbugs can live up to three years.
Signs of a Sowbug Infestation
To determine if there’s a sowbug infestation in your home, check if you can find a large group of sowbugs in your basement, garden, or flower pots. Sowbugs are generally harmless. However, having an infestation can be unpleasant. It may also be a sign that there’s too much moisture or cracks in your foundation or walls.
How to Get Rid of Sowbugs in the Garden or in Your Home
Remove Decaying Material
Sowbugs seek out decaying wood or other plant-based materials, such as paper or cardboard. If you lift a damp plank of plywood or a pile of cardboard lying on a concrete floor, there’s a good chance you’ll see some sowbugs scurrying away.
Removing such materials will usually rid your home of these pests. Sowbugs are also found in structural framing with decay, such as wooden thresholds for doors or in foundation-level sill plates for walls. Removing or replacing any damaged wood can help in getting rid of sowbugs.
How to get rid of sowbugs in the garden? You need to reduce their habitat by eliminating garden debris, leaves, weeds, and fallen fruit on the ground.
Remove Moisture Sources
Sowbugs require moisture to survive. If that moisture is removed, they usually die within two days. Thus, drying up moist areas is one way to get rid of these creatures.
Habitual problems with sowbugs in structural framing are maybe because the landscaping is allowing water runoff to saturate the walls, or too much mulch on the foundation keeps conditions moist. Keeping the ground around walls dry and correcting water runoff problems can do wonders for getting rid of sowbugs.
Cover Damp Areas With Diatomaceous Earth
How to get rid of sowbugs in the basement? In concrete slabs or basement floors, sprinkling diatomaceous earth (DE) on areas that are typically wet will absorb moisture and kill sowbugs. The DE can also serve as a repellent, as pests find it unpleasant to crawl across.
Spray With Garlic Solution
Spraying damp floor areas with garlic water solution will often cause sowbugs to flee. Using a pepper solution can also provide the same benefit.
Apply Insecticides
You can apply insect killer granules around the foundations, landscaped areas, and lawns to repel or eliminate sowbugs. Alternatively, you can use botanical insecticides as a soil drench to manage a sowbug infestation. If you decide to use insecticides, just make sure that no child or pet will accidentally ingest them.
Difference Between Sowbugs and Pillbugs |
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| Size | Sowbugs are slightly bigger than pillbugs. |
| Ability to curl up into a ball | Pillbugs can curl themselves into a ball when they sense danger. Sowbugs cannot. They just scurry away and seek cover. |
| Tail-like structure | Sowbugs have a tail-like structure. Pillbugs do not. |
An infestation of sowbugs is still a concern, though they aren’t dangerous. Visit PestGuide today for more information about pest control in your home.
Pro Tip:“Did you know that sowbugs thrive in damp environments? Therefore, if they make their way inside, you’ll probably see them down in the basement.” |
Want to Learn More, Visit PestGuide Today.
Having a pest problem is not a pleasant experience. Whether you are dealing with a sowbug infestation or want to get rid of other pests in your home, PestGuide can help. Contact us to get a free estimate.
FAQs on Sowbugs |
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Do sowbugs bite people? |
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| No. Sowbugs don’t have mouthparts to bite flesh. In fact, they are among the most harmless of all creatures normally considered as pests. | |
What are the benefits of sowbugs in the garden? |
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| Sowbugs eat decaying leaf litter and vegetable matter, break up decaying plant matter, and help speed the return of the nutrients to the ecosystem. They are important in the decomposition of decaying organic matter in the garden since their primary source of food is decaying leaves and fruits. Lastly, they are often prevalent on fruits that have been previously damaged by other pests. Thus they are some of nature’s best “recyclers.” | |
How to prevent sowbugs from invading? |
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| The best way to prevent sowbugs from invading your home is by sealing cracks, crevices, and gaps in the foundation or walls. Particular attention should be directed toward ground-level areas, as this is where sowbugs usually enter and where moisture is likely to be present. |