Pill bugs, also known as roly-polies, are small, segmented creatures commonly found in gardens and under debris. These terrestrial crustaceans are not insects but are more closely related to shrimp and lobsters. Their frequent presence near wood often sparks concern among homeowners about potential damage to wooden structures. Understanding the pill bug’s diet clarifies their interaction with wood.
Understanding the Pill Bug and Its Habitat
Pill bugs are classified as isopods, a group of crustaceans that have successfully adapted to life entirely on land. They are easily recognized by their gray, segmented exoskeletons. When disturbed, they employ a defense mechanism called conglobation, curling into a tight ball.
Pill bugs require constant moisture because they breathe through gills, unlike insects. They seek out damp, dark environments to prevent desiccation. Their preferred habitats include areas under rocks, logs, leaf litter, and mulch, where humidity levels are consistently high. This need for a wet environment explains why they are frequently found near wooden materials that hold moisture, such as rotting planks or damp soil near a foundation.
The Truth About Pill Bug Diet and Wood Consumption
Pill bugs are detritivores, meaning their diet consists almost entirely of dead and decaying organic matter. They play a beneficial ecological role by consuming materials like fallen leaves, animal feces, fungi, and rotting vegetation. This process recycles nutrients back into the soil, aiding in overall soil health and nutrient cycling.
Pill bugs do not possess the mouthparts or ability to chew through sound, dry, or healthy wood. They will not cause damage to structural lumber, furniture, or intact fencing. When observed near wood, they are typically consuming wood fibers that are already soft, damp, and actively decaying. This decaying wood is often compromised by fungal growth or moisture damage, making it a suitable food source and moist habitat.
Pill bugs only consume wood that is already in the advanced stages of decomposition, acting as secondary decomposers rather than primary pests. Their presence on wood indicates a pre-existing moisture or decay problem, not the cause of the damage itself. While their diet includes wood fibers to a lesser extent, their primary preference remains softer, decaying plant material. If food is scarce, they may occasionally feed on young, tender seedlings or fruits touching the damp ground.
Managing Pill Bugs in Gardens and Structures
Effective management of pill bugs revolves around modifying the habitat to reduce the moisture and food sources that attract them. Improving drainage around the foundation of a home is a primary step since they are drawn to dampness. Cleaning out gutters and ensuring water is directed away from the house reduces the excessive moisture these crustaceans require for survival.
Removing debris and decaying matter near structures also helps to limit their population. This includes clearing away piles of leaves, grass clippings, or excessive layers of mulch. These materials provide both shelter and food, so removing them creates a drier, less hospitable environment.
For pill bugs found indoors, sealing entry points such as cracks, gaps, and crevices is an effective preventative measure. This includes sealing gaps in the foundation or around door and window frames. Indoor pill bugs usually die quickly from dehydration because the environment is too dry for their gills, making chemical treatments rarely necessary.
In the garden, shifting watering schedules to the morning allows the soil to dry out before the pill bugs become active at night. Using coarse mulch instead of fine, dense materials promotes better drainage and reduces the dampness pill bugs favor. Simple traps, such as a hollowed-out potato or a container of beer sunk into the soil, can also be used to monitor and reduce localized populations.