SOWBUGS
EXTERMINATOR

SOWBUGS EXPERTS

Sowbugs have an oval body and are about 12 to 15 mm long, not exceeding 19 mm. They are usually dull in colour (grayish, brownish or blackish). These animals do not have a real carapace, unlike many crustaceans. Their body is protected by an exoskeleton made of plates. On the head, there are two pairs of antennas. Two of these antennas are long. The other two, called antennules, are very short and visible only on the ventral side of the animal. Most sowbugs have compound eyes, but they are often poorly developed (probably because of their nocturnal life and because they do not hunt for food). At rest, the mouth parts are covered by a pair of thoracic appendages called maxillipeds.

On the thorax or pereion, there are also seven pairs of similar legs, called pereiopods. To breathe, these terrestrial crustaceans are generally provided with pseudo tracheae located on the abdomen or pleon. The number of “lungs” varies between species (zero, two or five pairs). They appear as whitish spots visible to the naked eye on the ventral part of the woodlouse. English speakers separate sowbugs into two groups: sowbugs and pillbugs. The first is distinguished by two appendages similar to small tails at the end of the abdomen. These appendages are absent in pillbugs, which have the characteristic of being able to roll up in a ball.

MORE INFORMATION ON SOWBUGS

LIFE CYCLE OF SOWBUGS

Few observers have had the chance to witness a sowbug mating, as it normally takes place in the dark. One researcher has provided the following description, which probably applies to more than one species.

The male touches the female with his antennae. If she is receptive, he climbs on her back. He places himself in a diagonal position, on one side or the other, and curves his body so that, for example, the stylets located on the left of his genital apparatus reach the right part of the genital opening of the female. The sperm transfer takes about five minutes. The male then changes position to repeat the operation in the left opening of the female by injecting the sperm with his right stylets.

The female has an incubator pouch, or marsupium, located under her thorax. This is where she lays her eggs. After hatching, the young develop in this fluid-filled pouch. The duration of the stay in the marsupium varies according to the species. For example, Porcellio scaber carries its young for an average of 44 days and Armadillidium vulgare for 43 days.

When they come out of the marsupium, the young are whitish in colour. The coloration of the species appears after a few days. They look like adults but have only six pairs of legs instead of seven. The seventh pair appears after the first molt, which usually occurs within 24 hours after they come out into the open. The two following moults take place one week apart. From the fourth stage on, the woodlouse molts about every two weeks until it reaches 20 weeks. Then, the moults are more irregular. The animal usually reaches sexual maturity in its first year (sometimes more than two years in some species).

In nature, sowbugs are at rest during the winter, but they can be active all year round in homes and other heated buildings. Sowbugs in temperate regions produce one or two litters each summer, depending on conditions, and live up to two or three years, sometimes four. The length of the life cycle varies greatly between species.

SOWBUG HABITAT

These small crustaceans are found in almost all terrestrial environments. They live in forests and fields, near marshes or by the sea, usually in shady areas. Some species even live in deserts. In each of these environments, however, they must find the moisture necessary for their survival (species have varying degrees of tolerance to desiccation, but the majority require a lot of moisture).

Sowbugs often take up residence under tree bark, under stones or pieces of wood, in a litter, in garden soil and under various objects placed on wet ground. They sometimes enter homes, where they are found in basements, for example. The majority of sowbugs are terrestrial, but some species are amphibious.

SOWBUGS FEEDING

These animals generally feed on decaying plant matter (mosses, bark, fungi, algae, etc.). They may also eat live plants, especially roots of young shoots and fruits or vegetables lying on or near the wet ground. Decaying animal matter (dead animals, etc.) is also sometimes on the menu. Bacteria living in the digestive system of these crustaceans allow them to digest cellulose. Some species of woodlice, often associated with the marine environment, are carnivorous.

CONTROL METHODS AGAINST SOWBUGS

Sowbugs do not really cause damage to homes, but their presence can be considered unpleasant. It is often when we bring firewood into the house that we invite these little creatures in. Once inside, they may emerge from their shelter in the bark and seek out a moist location. They can also enter homes through cracks or other openings.

The prolonged presence of woodlice in a house means that there are areas of high humidity. To get rid of intruders, it is essential to remedy this situation, for example by ensuring adequate ventilation of the basement and other damp areas, and by using a dehumidifier if necessary.

A heavy infestation of woodlice is usually a sign that there is a large population of these crustaceans near the building. It is therefore important to address the problem of excessive moisture on the outside, for example, by improving soil drainage.

The use of insecticide is rarely necessary because these small crustaceans die fairly quickly when deprived of moisture. Sowbugs, dead or alive, can be removed with a broom or vacuum cleaner. However, if you choose a chemical insecticide, ask a specialist to choose the least toxic product best suited to your situation. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, proceed with caution and remember that most chemical insecticides can be harmful to you and the environment.

To prevent these little beasts from entering your home, carefully examine the logs for firewood by lifting the bark before bringing them inside. Eliminate food sources and wet shelters around the house by cleaning up around your home: remove dead leaves, grass clippings, mulch, boards, boxes, etc. Fill holes and cracks in foundations and around doors and windows. Do not allow water to pool near the foundation or in the garage. The most effective long-term solution is to maintain good drainage near the house.

Sowbugs play a beneficial role in gardens as decomposers. But they occasionally feed on roots and tender stems, such as those of young beans for example. When they are very numerous, these animals can cause damage to greenhouses. They are sometimes found on pumpkins, squash and strawberries in contact with moist soil. It should be noted, however, that sowbugs are often wrongly accused of damage actually caused by other animals, such as snails or slugs.

To prevent sowbugs from multiplying in your garden, water in the morning rather than in the evening. This will give the plants time to dry before nightfall (sowbugs are nocturnal). Do not overwater and drain any areas that remain wet.

If you use mulches, choose materials that are fairly coarse, allow water to pass through well and keep the surface soil from getting wet. You can also opt to use black plastic instead of mulch, as this material creates intense heat on the surface, which repels woodlice. Encourage good soil aeration. Install trellises for your vines and remove old decaying leaves. Since young shoots are more vulnerable to woodlice, it may be wise to start planting indoors. If necessary, a diatomaceous earth-based insecticide powder can be used to create a barrier that prevents the sowbugs from reaching the plants at risk. In this case, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the package.

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