Sowbugs and pillbugs are crustaceans. They are wingless, oval shaped, about 1/2" long and slate gray in color. They have body segments that resemble armored plates. Sowbugs have 2 tail-like appendages, 7 pairs of legs and well-developed eyes. They are not capable of rolling into a tight ball. Pillbugs, or "rolly-pollies", lack the tail-like appendages and can roll into a tight ball.
Both sowbugs and pillbugs feed primarily on decaying organic matter although they may occasionally damage roots of plants. Their normal habitat is outdoors, but they do occasionally wander indoors where they do no damage.
The habits and biology of both pests is similar. Both animals are slow moving, crawling arthropods. They require high moisture and are most active at night. When resting during the day they may be found under trash, rocks, boards, decaying vegetation, or just beneath the soil surface. A heavy infestation indoors usually indicates a large population outdoors. Mulches, grass clippings and leaf litter often provide the decaying organic matter they need to survive.
The female carries the eggs in a brood pouch on the underside of her body. There may be up to 200 eggs per brood. Eggs hatch in 3 - 7 weeks and the young remain in the pouch for another 6 - 7 weeks. Once they leave the pouch, the young never return. Females may produce 1 - 2 brood per year. Individual sowbugs or pillbugs may live up to 3 years.
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