Have you noticed odd little bugs crawling around your bathroom or basement floors lately? If they roll up into tiny gray balls, you likely have pill bugs taking up residence in your home.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Pill bugs entering homes is very common, especially in damp areas. They are generally harmless, but a large infestation could indicate excess moisture that should be addressed.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about pill bugs in homes, including:
What Are Pill Bugs?
Pill bugs, also known as roly-polies, are small terrestrial crustaceans with a rigid, segmented exoskeleton. Despite their name, pill bugs are not true bugs but are more closely related to shrimp and crayfish.
Here’s a closer look at the basic facts, habits, and behaviors of these intriguing little creatures.
Basic Facts and Identification
Pill bugs have oval-shaped armored bodies made up of seven segments. Their color ranges from gray to brown or even reddish. When threatened, they can roll up into a tight ball, which gives them their “roly-poly” nickname. Adults reach about 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inch in length.
Unlike insects, pill bugs have gills and require moisture to breathe. They are found in moist environments under rocks, logs, leaf litter, and other debris. Pill bugs are nocturnal and feed mainly on decaying organic matter.
Difference From Sow Bugs
Sow bugs look very similar to pill bugs and are closely related. However, sow bugs cannot roll into a perfect ball. Their back end remains exposed when they curl up. Sow bugs also prefer drier habitats than pill bugs.
Habits and Behaviors
Pill bugs play an important role in decomposition and nutrient cycling. Their feeding helps break down organic matter, releasing carbon and nutrients back into the soil.
In urban areas, pill bugs frequently become nuisance pests in gardens mulch beds. They occasionally nibble on young seedlings but do very little damage overall.
Pill bugs breed during the spring and females may produce 20-200 eggs in a lifetime. The eggs hatch after 3-7 weeks. Nymphs look like tiny versions of the adults. They molt frequently as they grow.
While pill bugs can live over a year, they often fall prey to birds, toads, and other predators. Spiders, centipedes, and some ground beetles may also prey on pill bugs.
Why Are Pill Bugs in My House?
Attracted to Damp Areas
Pill bugs, also known as rolly pollies, are terrestrial crustaceans that thrive in damp, moist environments. They breathe through gills that must stay moist, so they gravitate towards areas with high humidity.
During hot, dry periods, pill bugs frequently wander into homes in search of water sources like leaky pipes, damp basements, bathrooms and kitchens. They may also be attracted to moist potted plants kept indoors.
Seeking Shelter and Food Sources
Pill bugs spend most of their time hiding under rocks, mulch, compost piles, boards and other debris outdoors. If these shelter sources are disturbed or depleted, pill bugs may march inside through cracks and crevices in search of new hiding spots and food.
They are opportunistic scavengers that feed on decaying plant matter and fungi. Inside, pill bugs are often found under carpets, in closet corners, behind appliances and underneath sinks where food particles may accumulate.
Accidentally Wandering Indoors
Sometimes pill bugs simply wander into homes by accident. They are prolific breeders and large populations can build up outdoors, especially in flower beds, vegetable gardens and compost heaps. When outdoor populations boom, some pill bugs inevitably march indoors by mistake through open doors, pet doors, and foundation cracks.
Pill bugs may hitch rides indoors on potted plants, firewood, grocery bags or your pet’s fur. Once inside, they get stranded and seek out damp refuges.
Are Pill Bugs Harmful to Humans or Pets?
Not Dangerous But Can Trigger Allergies
Pill bugs, also known as roly-polies, are not dangerous to humans or pets (Terminix). However, some people may experience allergic reactions after handling pill bugs. Allergic symptoms can include skin rashes, sneezing, or irritated eyes.
The allergies are likely caused by traces of pill bug waste, shed exoskeletons, or chemicals they emit as a defense mechanism.
Pet Safety Issues
Pill bugs are generally harmless to pets like dogs and cats. However, pets may get sick if they eat too many pill bugs. Consuming the hard pill bug shells can cause vomiting or diarrhea. Some dogs enjoy chewing or eating pill bugs for no reason. This risky behavior should be discouraged.
Very rarely, toxins from pill bugs could build up in a pet that frequently eats them. Over time, this toxin buildup may potentially damage their liver or kidneys. Contact your veterinarian if your pet shows these symptoms after eating pill bugs:
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy or depression
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Cats typically do not eat pill bugs due to their unappealing taste and crunchiness. But kittens may bite or play with them out of curiosity.
Damage to House Plants
Though not malicious pests, pill bugs can damage gardens and house plants if their population grows too high. They feed on decaying plant matter in the soil. But pill bugs may also chew on living plant roots, stems, leaves, vegetables, and fruits close to the ground.
According to the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program, common plant damage from pill bugs includes:
- Holes in seedlings, leaves, stems, tubers, and fruits placed on soil
- Scarring on potatoes and other tender vegetables
- Decaying plant parts in contact with damp soil
Pill bugs are most active at night and prefer moist environments. To protect plants, do not overwater them and clear away decaying plant debris in garden beds. Traps can also capture pill bugs overnight when they emerge to feed.
How to Get Rid of Pill Bugs in House
Fix Moisture Issues
Since pill bugs thrive in damp areas, reducing moisture sources inside and outside your home is crucial for controlling an infestation. Check for leaks in pipes and roofs that allow moisture to seep into cracks and crevices where pill bugs congregate.
Improve drainage around the foundation using downspouts and grading to prevent puddles from forming. Consider hiring a professional drainage contractor if issues persist.
Seal Cracks and Crevices
Sealing up cracks and crevices denies pill bugs access to cool, damp locations to breed. Caulk and weatherstrip around doors, windows, pipes and bottom plates of exterior walls. Repair cracks in foundations, sidewalks and driveways using cement patching materials.
Eliminating access points forces existing pill bugs already in your home to leave in search of more suitable habitats.
Traps and Barriers
Traps provide focused removal of pill bugs while barriers block entry into your home. Place damp cardboard or wooden boards around foundations overnight then dispose trapped bugs in soapy water the next day. Remove debris like leaves, mulch and stones near the home which pill bugs hide under.
Install copper mesh or stainless steel wool around outdoor pipes and vents that pests use get inside.
Natural Repellents
Natural ingredients like diatomaceous earth and coffee grounds repel pill bugs without toxic chemicals. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth powder along baseboards, under appliances and on window wells. The sharp edges cut the pill bug’s waxy skin causing dehydration.
Mix used coffee grounds with flour and spread around gardens and foundations. Caffeine and oils in coffee irritate pill bugs, driving them away. Essential oils like eucalyptus, peppermint and tea tree also deter pill bugs when applied along infested areas.
Preventing Future Pill Bug Infestations
Improve Drainage and Ventilation
Pill bugs thrive in moist environments, so improving drainage and ventilation around your home can help deter infestations. Make sure rain gutters are clear of debris so water can flow away from the house. Install downspout extensions to direct water several feet away from the foundation.
Also, ensure the ground around the perimeter of your home gently slopes away to prevent pooling.
Ventilate damp areas like basements and crawlspaces by installing vents. A dehumidifier can also be used to reduce moisture. Keep mulch, leaves and other yard debris far from the home so pill bugs have fewer places to hide and breed.
And prune back plants, bushes and overhanging trees so more air circulates.
Keep Vegetation Away From Home
While pill bugs feast on decaying plant matter, limiting vegetation directly around your house reduces shelter and food sources. Maintain a 12-inch vegetation-free barrier next to the foundation. Replace thick layers of mulch with gravel, pebbles or decorative stones.
Be diligent about cleaning fallen leaves, sticks and other organic debris from the property.
Also, keep firewood stacks away from the exterior walls. Consider relocating compost bins farther from the building. And watch for overgrown areas that stay perpetually damp – pill bugs may congregate there.
Address issues like leaky faucets or appliances and improper drainage that allows moisture to accumulate.
Install Vapor Barriers
Installing a vapor barrier beneath foundations, slabs and crawlspaces can block moisture from seeping up into the building. Polyethylene plastic sheeting is an affordable and common vapor barrier material. Enclose crawlspaces with sheet plastic on the floor and walls to reduce humidity.
Closed-cell spray foam insulation can also act as a vapor barrier when installed on basement or crawlspace surfaces. In contrast to traditional fiberglass batt insulation, closed-cell spray foam doesn’t absorb or allow passage of moisture.
For inside basement walls, consider rigid foam boards adhered directly to the concrete – the foam blocks water vapor transmission into interior spaces. Note that proper ventilation is still needed inside the crawlspace or basement to manage humidity alongside vapor barriers.
Conclusion
While the sudden appearance of pill bugs can be alarming, they are generally harmless intruders in search of food and shelter. By controlling moisture and sealing entry points, you can get rid of and prevent further infestations.
Understanding what attracts them and how to make your home less inviting will keep these creepy-crawlies from invading your space and allow you to coexist peacefully.
