The pill bug is one pest that most people in North American will encounter in their lifetime. These small, hard-backed bugs are often colloquially known as “rollie pollies” because of their tendency to roll up when touched.
Despite being harmless, these pests can be an annoyance, especially if they’re living on your property in large quantities. If you live in the Treasure Valley area, here are some tips and tricks to help with your Emmett pill bug control.
Identification
First of all, it’s important to know exactly what a pill bug is. Pill bugs are actually crustaceans and are, in fact, the only crustaceans that can survive solely on land. They’re quite small, only about 1/4 – 5/8 of an inch long. They can range in color from reddish-brown to gray to black. Their most identifying feature is the seven hard plates that cover their backs. Similar to a shrimp’s exoskeleton, these are used for protection.
Additionally, pill bugs can be identified by their ability to curl into a ball. Only one other pest does this: the pill millipede. Thankfully, the two have little else in common besides this tendency. So if your pest matches the description above and rolls into a ball when touched, you’re likely dealing with a pill bug.
Habitat
Next, you should identify where the pill bugs are located on your property. They cannot regulate their own water loss. Because pill bugs are crustaceans, they require a high level of moisture in their environment to survive. They’re typically found in moist places in your yard such as inside grass clippings, under rocks, in flower pots, and other places with decaying vegetation. These locations are ideal because they provide both moisture and a food source for the pill bug.
If you have a greenhouse, pill bugs are also often found living inside. A greenhouse’s year-round moist climate provides the perfect environment for pill bugs to thrive.
Thankfully, pill bugs rarely enter homes. And if they do, they often die quickly because the air doesn’t contain a high enough level of moisture for them to survive. If you’re seeing pill bugs in your home it may be evidence that there’s wet or rotting wood inside. It’s important to investigate this. The wood attracting the pill bugs could not only attract other pests but, in some cases, could cause severe structural damage to your home.
Whether in your home or in your yard, pill bugs are a nuisance and can be reason to seek out Emmett pill bug control. Pill bugs reproduce easily, and often a small problem can turn quite large in a small amount time! So if you’re facing a pill bug infestation, the best thing to do is contact a pest control professional to resolve the issue for you.
Get Lost Pest Control specializes in removing unwanted pests from your home, and can be a huge asset in Emmett pill bug control efforts. Contact us today to get a quote and see how our fast, professional service can help.
