Occasional invaders
Pillbugs & sowbugs: identification & pillbug control
Also known as: roly polies, potato bugs, woodlice
Pillbugs are crustaceans that need constant moisture, so control is about drying the perimeter, pulling back mulch and sealing thresholds rather than heavy spraying.
How to identify pillbugs & sowbugs
- What it looks like
- Gray armored segmented bodies; pillbugs roll into a ball, sowbugs cannot.
- Size
- 1/4 to 1/2 inch
- Where you'll find it
- Mulch, leaf litter, under stones, garages, basements and crawl spaces.
Signs of pillbugs & sowbugs in your home
- Dead bugs along garage walls
- Activity after watering or rain
- Seedling damage in gardens
Pillbugs & sowbugs questions homeowners ask
Are roly polies harmful?
No — they feed on decaying matter and simply wander in from damp mulch.
Pillbug control by city
Local technicians handle pillbugs & sowbugs in every market below — pick your city for neighborhood coverage, seasonal notes and a free quote.
Pillbug control in Austin, TXPillbug control in Boise, IDPillbug control in Charlotte, NCPillbug control in Charlotte, NCPillbug control in Colorado Springs, COPillbug control in Columbus, OHPillbug control in Columbus, OHPillbug control in Greensboro, NCPillbug control in Indianapolis, INPillbug control in Jacksonville, FLPillbug control in Kansas City, MOPillbug control in Louisville, KYPillbug control in Memphis, TNPillbug control in Miami, FLPillbug control in Nashville, TNPillbug control in Oklahoma City, OKPillbug control in Omaha, NEPillbug control in Phoenix, AZPillbug control in Raleigh, NCPillbug control in Richmond, VAPillbug control in San Antonio, TXPillbug control in Tulsa, OK