Why A Roly-Poly Infestation Could Mean A Bigger Problem For Your Home

Pill bugs are gray pests related to crustaceans, and they are known for their ability to roll up into a ball when they encounter threats. Also commonly known as "roly-polies," these small, harmless pests typically stay outdoors and feast on dead plant materials. Pill bugs do not typically venture indoors, and they cannot live for longer than a few days without sustenance. A source of food, as well as moist, humid conditions, are some of the key factors that may draw these creatures into your home.

Outdoors, pill bugs eat dead plant materials, including old leaves, grass clippings, and decaying plants. They are also known to eat rotting wood. It is unlikely there will be a pile of dead leaves or grass inside your home, but pill bugs may still seek shelter in indoor plants. If you see numerous roly-polies inside, one possible attractor could be rotting wood. It is important to look around your home for possible signs of wood rot, such as chipped paint or a warped texture. If the wood is rotting due to a water source, you may also notice a musty smell. Fixing and replacing rotted wood may also prevent roly-polies from feasting on damp areas inside your home.

While roly-polies will not cause damage to your home, their presence means there could be something amiss. Rotting wood usually means there is a water problem, whether it is a leaking pipe, or perhaps a crack that is allowing rainwater to seep in. What's more, roly-polies love humid environments and may favor areas such as basements or crawl spaces. It is important to ventilate humid spaces in your home as much as possible and to keep humidity levels in check with a dehumidifier if needed. Water leak repairs and maintaining an ideal humidity level in your basement and other areas of your home can go a long way toward preventing these pests from taking up residence.

If you're trying to control pill bugs more generally, fixing problems in your home can be the first step to deterring them. Aside from rotting wood, make sure there are no cracks in your home's foundation, or around windows and doors that could allow easy access for roly-polies. You can also help manage their numbers outdoors by ensuring there are no leaf piles or other sources of decaying plant materials lying near your home. If you're having problems warding off roly-poly bugs for good despite these deterrents, consider talking with a pest control expert to discuss next steps.