Pillbugs (Rollie Pollies)
Armadillilium vulgare
Pill Bugs Identification
Pest Stats
Color
Dark brown to black
Legs
Seven pair
Shape
Oval; round when rolled up
Size
3/4"
Antennae
Yes
Region
Found throughout U.S.
What Do Pill Bugs Look Like?
Pill bugs are between ¼-5/8 inches long and have seven pairs of legs and 2 pairs of antennae. Rollie pollies are usually slate gray in color. Their bodies are oval shaped and become round when they roll up. They are easily recognized by their back, which is made up of seven hard individual plates.
Signs of an Infestation
Pill bugs typically enter buildings through door thresholds, especially homes with sliding-glass doors on the ground level. Seeing a pill bug in the home usually means that there is a large population outdoors. Pill bugs do not survive more than a few days indoors without moist conditions and a food supply.
Pill bugs Prevention
What Do Pill Bugs Eat?
Pillbugs are scavengers and feed on decaying plant material. Outdoors, they occasionally injure young plants.
Pill Bugs Education
Habits & Behavior
Pillbugs remain inactive under objects during the day in order to minimize water loss. They often stay under trash, boards, rocks, flower pots, piles of grass clippings, flowerbed mulches and other decaying vegetation. They tend to reside in these areas of high moisture because their bodily structures leave them vulnerable to water loss. Rollie pollies are most active at night. They occasionally enter buildings and homes via door thresholds.
Pillbug eggs hatch from a brood pouch on the underside of the female’s body. The eggs develop and hatch in about 45 days. After this period, the young pillbugs emerge from the pouch. On average, there are about 28 pill bugs in each brood. Young pillbugs molt twice within the first 2-3 weeks of their life. After that, they molt irregularly depending on the availability of food and other resources. The lifespan of a pillbug is about 2 years.
Habitat
Pillbugs live in moist locations. They are found under damp objects or under vegetable debris.
Threats – Do Pill Bugs Bite?
Pill bugs do not bite or spread disease. However, the pill bug is considered a nuisance pest indoors. They may cause damage to young plants outdoors.
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