Pill bugs (Armadillidium vulgare), also known as woodlice or roly-polies, are segmented crustaceans often mistaken for insects. When threatened, they roll into a ball as a defense mechanism, which is where the name “pill bug” comes from.
While pill bugs are generally harmless to humans and pets, they are a nuisance indoors. Frequent appearances of these pests in your home may indicate a leak, high humidity, or poor drainage. Also, indoor pill bug infestations can attract other bugs, like centipedes, and damage indoor plants. Here is what you need to know about pill bugs and how to get rid of them.
What Are Pill Bugs?
Pill bugs are oval-shaped crustaceans with a segmented exoskeleton about 1/4 to 5/8 inches long. They have 14 legs and two antennae. They are gray to dark brown but often have a shiny metallic appearance. When threatened, these bugs roll into a tight ball. This defensive behavior, known as conglobation, protects them from predators and preserves moisture. Pill bugs are often confused with sow bugs, but sow bugs cannot roll into a ball.
Pill bugs thrive in damp environments with high humidity, such as under mulch, compost, flowerpots, rotting boards, and other wet ground. They find their way indoors, seeking moisture and shelter through common entry points like door and foundation gaps, openings, cracks, and crevices. They might also access your home through ventilation systems, windows, and crawl spaces. These bugs typically dry out and die indoors unless they shelter in high-humidity areas.
Signs of a Pill Bug Infestation
Pill bugs cluster in dark, moist corners, under furniture, near water sources, and under flowerpots or rotting wooden boards. Even in clean, modern homes, they are often found in basem*nts, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
Dealing with a pill bug infestation can be frustrating, but with the right approach, you can eliminate them from your home. The main strategies for removing pill bugs from your home include minimizing moisture, removing debris, and sealing pest entry points. Other strategies involve using DIY natural and chemical remedies and contracting professional help.
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Natural DIY Remedies to Get Rid of Pill Bugs
The first line of defense against these bugs involves DIY solutions that are safe for humans and pets. They include:
- Beer and corn meal traps: Place shallow, disposable containers (such as yogurt cups) filled with beer near areas where you see pill bugs. The beer attracts the bugs, which fall in and drown. For make cornmeal traps, fill small, sealable plastic containers with cornmeal and cut a small hole in the lid. Place the traps near entry points. The bugs are drawn to the cornmeal, consume it, and die. Check the traps daily to remove dead bugs and replenish the beer or cornmeal. Adjust the trap placement based on pill bug activity to maximize effectiveness.
- Garlic solution: Combine water with minced garlic to create a solution and put it in a spray bottle. Spray doorways, baseboards, and other areas where pill bugs could enter. The pungent scent will repel pill bugs, keeping your home free of these pests.
- Citrus peels: Place lemon, lime, or orange peels near areas where pill bugs are active. The citrus scent helps repel these pests.
- Essential oils: Like many insects, pill bugs dislike essential oils. To repel them, create a bug-repellent spray using a few drops of essential oil diluted in water. Try lavender, rosemary, citronella, cinnamon, oregano, peppermint, or tea tree oils. Spray this mixture around pill bug hot spots, such as baseboards, windows, and door frames.
Chemical DIY Remedies to Get Rid of Pill Bugs
If the natural DIY remedies don’t get the job done, consider chemical-based remedies:
- Diatomaceous earth: Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth around entry points and areas where pill bugs could thrive. It consists of the fossilized remains of aquatic organisms whose tiny silica particles have razor-sharp edges that cut through the exoskeleton of pill bugs. They dehydrate and die.
- Boric acid: Mix boric acid with sugar and water to create a paste. Place this paste in areas where pill bugs are active. When ingested, boric acid acts as a stomach poison in pests.
- Insecticidal sprays: Choose an insecticidal spray, such as neem oil. Follow the label's instructions and apply it to areas where they are present.
Call a Pro
If DIY methods fail to control the pill bug population in your home, consider a professional pest control service. Pest control experts can access specialized treatments and equipment to eliminate pill bugs and prevent future infestations.
Ways to Prevent Pill Bugs in Your Home
To prevent pill bugs from accessing your house, seal all the cracks with caulk or weatherstripping. Improve ventilation, repair leaks, and use a dehumidifier in humid or wet areas to control water infiltration and moisture. Clean your home by vacuuming, sweeping, and decluttering potential hiding spots.
Outside your home, clean and repair gutters to prevent water from pooling around the roof or foundation. Remove any decaying material, such as wet leaves or dirty garbage cans, from around your home. Following these steps will help prevent pill bugs from invading your home. If the issue persists, consult an exterminator to resolve the pill bug problem for good.
