Pill bugs, also known as roly-polies, are common in gardens and damp environments. A frequent question arises regarding their diet and potential for home damage: do these small, segmented crustaceans consume wood? Despite their common presence around wooden structures, pill bugs do not eat sound wood or cause structural harm to homes. They are primarily beneficial organisms in the ecosystem.
Pill Bug Diet
Pill bugs are detritivores, primarily feeding on dead and decaying organic matter. Their diet largely consists of soft decaying plants like grasses and leaves, as well as fungi and other decomposing plant material. They play a significant role in nutrient recycling by breaking down this organic material, which enriches the soil. While decaying matter is their main food source, they may consume tender seedlings, new roots, or fruits and vegetables touching damp soil if other food sources are scarce.
Why Pill Bugs Are Found Near Wood
Pill bugs are often found near wood due to their habitat preferences, not because they consume it. These crustaceans need moist, dark environments to survive, as they do not retain water efficiently and breathe through gills. Rotting wood, leaf litter, and mulch offer ideal conditions, providing consistent moisture and shelter.
They often hide under logs, stones, and other damp debris, which can include decaying wood. Decaying wood itself, specifically the decomposing material within it, serves as a food source.
Their preference for damp, dark places with abundant organic debris explains their presence around wooden structures like fences, firewood piles, or old logs in a yard. Their nocturnal nature means they seek out these sheltered locations during the day.
Pill Bugs Versus Wood-Damaging Pests
It is important to distinguish pill bugs from pests that genuinely damage wood. Termites consume wood for its cellulose, creating tunnels and weakening structures. Carpenter ants excavate wood to build nests, often preferring moisture-softened timber. Powderpost beetles bore into wood, leaving powdery sawdust.
In contrast, pill bugs do not bore into or consume sound wood. Their presence indicates moisture and decaying organic material, which may signal existing moisture issues, but they do not cause wood damage. Unlike wood-destroying insects, pill bugs do not create frass (wood dust) or visible tunnels in healthy timber.
Managing Pill Bugs Indoors
While generally harmless, pill bugs can become a nuisance if they enter homes. They typically do not survive long indoors due to lack of moisture, often dying within a few days unless very damp conditions exist. Their indoor presence often signals a thriving outdoor population near the foundation.
To manage pill bugs indoors, focus on reducing moisture and sealing entry points. Fix leaky pipes, improve ventilation in damp areas like basements and crawl spaces, and use dehumidifiers.
Outdoors, remove organic debris such as leaf piles, grass clippings, and excessive mulch from around the foundation. Seal cracks and gaps in the foundation, around windows, and under doors with caulk or weatherstripping. Raising firewood and potted plants off the ground and away from the house also discourages their presence.