Nobody wants to worry about finding pests in their home, even if they have a “cute” name like a “roly poly bug.” The roly poly scientific name is actually “pillbug” and it’s a common pest found here in New England along with another pest called the sowbug.
Sowbugs and pillbugs very closely resemble one another and are frequently mistaken. Both are more closely akin to shrimp and crayfish than to insects. In fact, they are not bugs at all, despite their misleading names!
They are isopods, which are crustaceans. These particular crustaceans that have adapted to living on land and would love to find a cozy spot in your home.
In this article, we’ll talk about pillbugs vs. sowbugs, and everything you ought to know.
As always, we want to do what we can to help set you up for success when it comes to maintaining a pest-free home.
Jump to:
What Are Rolly Pollies?
What Is a Sowbug?
What Risks Do These Pests Pose for New England Homeowners?
How to Prevent Sowbugs and Pillbugs in the House
Choosing Pest Control in Southern NH, Southern Maine, and Northeastern MA
How Seacoast Turf Care Keeps Pillbugs and Sowbugs at Bay
What Are Rolly Pollies?
The roly poly scientific name is actually Armadillidium vulgare, but most people refer to them simply as a “pillbug.” These names all have to do with their common action of rolling up into a ball to stay hidden. This is also a defense mechanism that allows them to protect their soft underside and to retain moisture.
When comparing pillbugs vs. sowbugs, this ability to roll in a ball is a big differentiator as sowbugs cannot do this.
Pill bugs are oval shaped and brown or gray in color. They have seven pairs of legs (each attached to a body segment) and armored plates.
These pests thrive in damp and dark places and they serve an important function outdoors where they assist with natural decomposition by feeding on decaying plant material. They are usually found under rocks, logs, or mulch.
But sometimes they make their way inside (usually by accident) where they become unwanted houseguests.
What Is a Sowbug?
Sow bugs are flat and oval shaped and, like pillbugs, they have seven pairs of legs. Sometimes they are called “woodlouse.”
Similar to pillbugs, sowbugs also feed on organic, decaying plant material. Therefore they are commonly found in mulch beds and under rocks and logs. Sowbugs have two appendages that look like tails, something that differentiates them from pillbugs.
Sowbugs have a need for moisture and will seek out damp and dark spaces. They do sometimes make it into basements or other interiors at ground level.
What Risks Do These Pests Pose for New England Homeowners?
Both sowbugs and pillbugs pose virtually no risk to humans.
They do not bite, sting, or carry disease. But they can be a nuisance pest both in the garden (feeding on healthy plants at times) and in the home (showing up in unwanted spaces).
Sometimes, a large infestation of these pests indoors can indicate a moisture problem, such as water collecting in the basement. They actually cannot survive long indoors without moisture, so finding a lot of living sowbugs and pillbugs in the house can be indicative of a greater problem.
How to Prevent Sowbugs and Pillbugs in the House
You can make an effort to prevent sowbugs and pillbugs using many of the same steps that will prevent other pests as well.
And because these two pests share so many common characteristics, the same prevention strategies can work on both.
Here are a few practical tips.
Declutter
Sow bugs and pill bugs love to hide. They are rarely out in the open, other than when they’re scurrying from one hiding spot to the next. One way to address these pests is to declutter and eliminate their hiding spots. You’ll make your basement less “comfortable” for these unwanted houseguests.
Eliminate Moisture
Both sow bugs and pill bugs require moisture for survival, so eliminating a moisture or humidity problem can play a role in keeping these pests out of your home. This is something that you want to do anyways as you don’t want to wind up with water damage. Dehumidifiers work by collecting water from the air. Since these pests love moisture and humidity, you’ll make it a less hospitable environment for them to live in. In addition, if you have any leaky pipes or faucets, these can also be bug attractors in general. Fix up any areas where water gets out.
Seal Up Cracks
Good pill bug and sow bug control also means sealing cracks since that’s how many of them will find their way inside. Most of the time, these pests are finding small cracks in the foundation of your home. As we’ve mentioned, they probably aren’t trying to find a way inside, but accidentally wind up there. Seal up cracks to prevent this from happening.
Of course, since these pests can squeeze through teeny-tiny cracks, sometimes it’s challenging to eliminate ALL of their entry points. But you can still make an effort to reduce their chances of getting inside.
Clean Up Leaves and Debris Around Your Foundation
Since these pests like to remain hidden, they could very likely be hiding under leaves and other debris in the yard. Keep this away from your foundation to keep pill bugs and sow bugs away from your home.
Choosing Pest Control in Southern NH, Southern Maine, and Northeastern MA
While the strategies above can help prevent pill bugs and sow bugs from coming inside, they aren’t going to be enough. That’s why we also recommend investing in pest control services.
That’s because even with your best efforts, pests are likely making their way inside. And it’s not just sowbugs and pillbugs that pose problems. There are many New England pests lurking around.
Ideally, if you want to prevent pests from making it inside, then regular pest control is an effective solution. It works by creating a barrier around your home that shields pests from coming inside in the first place.
Of course, if you think you already have pests in your home (as most people do), you might be wondering what to do.
For existing bugs, things like traps and vacuuming them up (out of their hiding spaces), can make a difference.
But going forward, with preventative pest control in place, you’ll start to notice a reduction in many different problematic pests.
How Seacoast Turf Care Keeps Pillbugs and Sowbugs at Bay
At Seacoast Turf Care, serving New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine, our pest control services cover most of the common household pests which includes sow bugs and pill bugs.
It also covers mice, which are unfortunately also quite common here in New England. While sowbugs and pillbugs are most commonly found around the foundation and in the basement, a pest control program will keep bugs out of other areas of your home as well because it will prevent them from coming inside in the first place.
With effective, quarterly treatments, you can keep many pests out of your home. We know that sometimes a simple bug problem can become a full-blown infestation if given the chance. While sow bugs and pill bugs are primarily nuisance pests, there are other pests that are much more problematic and can even carry disease.
And certain pests, like German Cockroaches, can breed quickly and your problem can multiply.
If you truly want peace of mind that you’re keeping pests away, investing in professional pest control is a wise choice. By taking the right steps, you’ll be able to get back to enjoying life as usual.
Want to learn more about how pest control services can protect your family and give you peace of mind? At Seacoast Turf Care, we service NH towns near Stratham, North Hampton, Exeter and many more. Get pest control pricing for your Southern NH, Southern Maine, or Northeastern Massachusetts property.
Image Sources: pillbug, sowbug, rolled up pillbug, cluttered basement, raked leaves
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