Description: Pillbugs are sometimes called “roly-polies,” and get this common name because they roll up into a tight ball when disturbed. These crustaceans are arthropods, but are not insects. They are worldwide in distribution. Pillbugs are inactive and remain hidden under objects during the day to reduce water loss. During the day, they can be found around buildings in such places as under trash, boards, rocks, flower pots, piles of grass clippings, flower-bed mulches, and other decaying vegetation.
Pest Status: Pill Bugs occasionally enter buildings via door thresholds, especially homes with sliding glass doors on the ground level. Indoor invasion typically means that there is a large population immediately outside the structure. They usually do not survive indoors for more than a couple of days, unless there are high moisture conditions and a food supply present. They are considered scavengers and feed on decaying organic matter, usually plant material but occasionally animal. They cause no damage and are considered a nuisance pest indoors. Outdoors, they occasionally injure young plants.
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