Strategies for Eliminating Pill Bugs (Woodlice)
In the heart of your garden, there's a small, armoured creature making a significant contribution to the ecosystem. Far from being pests, woodlice are terrestrial crustaceans that play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy garden.
Woodlice, which are around 15mm long and sport an outer shell or exoskeleton, are not classified as insects but are related to crabs and lobsters. They are often found in damp areas such as under containers, in compost heaps, or beneath piles of plant debris.
Contrary to popular belief, woodlice do not cause any harm to your garden. Instead, they feed on decaying plant material such as rotten wood, grass cuttings, fallen leaves, and compost. They even help recycle nutrients back into the soil, contributing to a thriving garden ecosystem.
However, in some cases, woodlice may nibble on soft growth such as seedlings or fruit like strawberries, but this is not a common occurrence. They are more likely to feed on rotting fruit, such as windfall apples.
If you find a large group of woodlice underneath containers, it's not a sign of a pest infestation. Instead, they gather in groups to prevent drying out.
Woodlice serve as a food source for various wildlife species, including toads, shrews, and ground beetles. They are not a concern for humans or plants.
If you wish to reduce woodlice populations in your garden, managing their habitats can help. Removing large rocks, containers, decaying matter, and log and leaf piles can discourage woodlice. However, this approach may also impact other beneficial wildlife in your garden.
In the UK, there are around 30 species of woodlice. So, the next time you're tending to your garden, take a moment to appreciate these small, beneficial creatures that call your garden home.
[1] RHS (2021) Woodlice. Available at: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=478 [2] Buglife (2021) Woodlice. Available at: https://www.buglife.org.uk/our-work/species-recovery/woodlice [5] Frost, P. (2007) The Natural History of Woodlice. Princeton University Press.
Woodlice, being terrestrial crustaceans, play a role in maintaining the health of home-and-garden ecosystems, particularly through their contribution in recycling nutrients from decaying plant material like compost and fallen leaves. In fact, these small creatures in your garden can also contribute to a thriving 'lifestyle' for various wildlife species, such as toads, shrews, and ground beetles, serving as a food source for them.
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