Are you faced with the problem of pill bug infestation in your garden? Obtain deep insights into pill bugs and how to get rid of them from your lawn.
If you’re a gardener, then you know that pests and bugs are inevitable like aphids, springtail, Thrips, and mealybugs. Although they’re common, you shouldn’t embrace them with open arms!
Recently, I had an infestation of pill bugs on my lawn and the situation was driving me crazy.
So, I carried out some research and discovered a few techniques that finally got rid of them.
If you’re struggling with pill bugs in your garden, then check out this post for tips on how to get rid of them. Let’s start with what are pill bugs?
What Are Pill Bugs and How do They Look?
Pill bugs also referred to as rolly pollies, are tiny pests that commonly infest homes and gardens. They aren’t dangerous for humans or animals but can cause damage to your property.
Pill bugs feed on decaying organic matter, which can include leaves, wood, and other debris. If left unchecked, pill bug infestation may result in considerable damage to the property.
Which Areas of a Home Are Vulnerable to Pill Bug Infestations?
In many cases, pill bug infestation is found in the kitchen or bathroom. These are typically humid areas containing high levels of moisture.
Pill bugs also like to hide in cracks and crevices, so they can be found behind appliances or under sinks.
However, the area that’s most vulnerable to pill bugs in your garden. It’s not uncommon for these small, dark-colored insects to invade lawns or yards.
These pests are particularly attracted to damp, shady areas that contain decaying vegetation that they feed on. Unfortunately, pill bugs can also damage young plants and seedlings by eating their roots and leaves.
The Scope of Damage Caused by Pill Bugs
If you have a garden, it’s important to be aware of the potential damage that pill bugs can cause.
Though they may seem harmless, pill bugs can cause considerable damage to your garden. These small, dark-colored creatures are actually a type of crab that feeds on plant matter.
In addition, pill bugs can transmit diseases to your plants, which can further damage or kill them.
While older plants are at risk, pill bugs prove more harmful to young plants. They can kill young seedlings by eating tender leaves and stems.
How to Address Pill Bug Infestations?
To get rid of pill bugs from your garden, follow these expert tips:
1. Set Traps for Pill Bugs
If you have a problem with pill bugs in your garden, setting traps is a great way to control them. By using traps, you can reduce the number of pill bugs in your garden and keep your plants healthy.
Pillbugs are attracted to moisture, so one of the best places to set traps for them is in damp areas of your garden.
To set a trap, simply place a container in a damp area of your garden and fill it with water. The moisture will attract the pill bugs that will crawl into the container to drown.
You can also use bait to attract pill bugs into your trap. Place a piece of fruit or vegetable peel in the bottom of the container. The food will lure the pill bugs, which will crawl into the container to get to it.
Another way to trap pill bugs is to use a Vaseline-paint mixture. To make this mixture, simply mix together equal parts of Vaseline and paint.
Then, spread the mixture around the rim of a container. The pillbugs will be attracted to the Vaseline and will crawl into the container to get to it. Once they are inside, the paint will prevent them from escaping.
2. Overwhelm Pill Bugs By Overplanting
One of the most effective ways to get rid of pill bugs in your lawn is to overwhelm them with too many plants.
By over-planting your garden, you will create a space that is not conducive to pill bug activity. These pests prefer cool, damp conditions and will avoid areas that are too crowded.
To start, remove all mulch from your garden beds. Mulch tempts pill bugs because it retains moisture.
Next, thin out your plants so they are spaced further apart. The soil will dry out and become less inviting to pill bugs.
Finally, plant more plants! The more plants you have, the less room there will be for pill bugs to hide.
3. Improve Air Circulation Around Plants
One way to help keep pill bugs out of your garden is by improving air circulation around plants. By increasing airflow, you can make it harder for these pests to hide and breed.
This can be done in a number of ways, such as
- Pruning plants so that they have good air circulation.
- Using fans to create a breeze.
- Planting in raised beds or on mounds to improve drainage and air circulation.
- Avoid piling mulch or other organic matter up against plants.
4. Don’t Provide Pill Bugs With the Things They Need
Think about everything that pill bugs need or are attracted to in your garden. Now, try to avoid giving them those things.
Pill bugs are most active at night and during wet weather. In the daytime, they hide in cool, moist places. If you can reduce the amount of moisture and humidity in your garden, pill bugs will be less likely to stick around.
Pill bugs are attracted to organic matter that is decaying, such as mulch or dead leaves. If you have a lot of this in your garden, try to clean it up as much as possible.
You can also try to avoid using mulch in areas where pill bugs are a problem.
Finally, remember that pill bugs are just looking for food. If you can keep your garden clean and free of potential food sources, pill bugs will be less likely to stay for too long.
5. Apply Insect-Killing Granules Around the Landscaped Area
In the case of serious pill bug infestation, there’s no better idea than to kill the pill bugs. Applying insect-killing granules around the perimeter of the area can do the job.
Applying insect-killing granules is relatively simple. First, you’ll need to purchase the granules from the garden center in your locality.
Then, using a hand-held spreader or similar device, apply the granules around the perimeter of your landscaped area.
Be sure to follow the instructions on the package carefully, as you’ll want to avoid over- or under-applying the granules.
Once you’ve applied the granules, water them according to the package directions. This will help to release the insecticide into the soil, where it can start working to kill any insects that come into contact with it.
With regular applications, insect-killing granules can help to keep your landscaped area free of unwanted insects.
6. Have Strong Roots and Strong Soil
One of the best ways to help address pill bug infestation is to make sure your plants have strong roots.
Strong roots help anchor plants in the ground and make them less likely to be uprooted by pill bugs. You can encourage strong roots by using quality fertilizer and ensuring your plants are well-watered.
In addition to strong roots, another way to help address pill bug infestation is to make sure your soil is healthy. Healthy soil is less likely to be attractive to pill bugs and other pests.
Adding organic matter, such as compost, calcium, nitrogen or mulch should enhance the condition of your soil.
The drainage of the soil should also improve, and so will soil aeration. It will then become less hospitable to pill bugs.
7. Use Diatomaceous Earth (DE) To Control Pill Bug Populations
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) has proven to be one of the most effective methods to get rid of pill bugs from gardens.
- This natural substance is made from the fossilized remains of tiny algae, and it works by abrasively damaging the exoskeletons of pests like pill bugs.
- To use DE to control pill bugs, sprinkle it on the boundaries of your lawn. You can also apply it directly to plants that are being damaged by pill bugs.
- Just be sure to avoid inhaling the DE. Otherwise, your lungs may be affected.
- If you have a serious pill bug problem, you may need to reapply DE every few days. But for most gardeners, a once-a-week application is sufficient.
- With regular use, diatomaceous earth can help keep pill bug populations in check, and your garden healthy and happy.
8. Wrap the Stems With Duct Tape, Toilet Paper, or Newspaper Collars
If you’re sick and tired of losing your seedlings to pill bug infestations, try wrapping their stems with duct tape, toilet paper, or newspaper collars.
This will create a barrier that the bugs won’t be able to penetrate, keeping your plants safe and healthy.
Conclusion
So there you have it, our comprehensive guide to pill bug infestation.
We hope that by arming yourself with the knowledge of what are pill bugs, where they are commonly found, and how to address pill bug infestation, you will be better prepared in case they decide to invade your home.
My name is Olivia, and I live in the United States and love having plants in my garden. Lots of plants are there on my balcony, indoor and outdoor garden also. Here I am trying to share useful gardening tips, how to grow and care for various plants, etc.
