Pillbugs

PILLBUGS

Pillbugs, and sowbugs, are common crustacea, belonging to a group of animals called isopods and are found throughout Florida. They are wingless, oval or slightly elongated arthropods, about half an inch in length, and slate-gray in color with body segments resembling armored plates. Both pillbugs and sowbugs feed primarily on decaying organic matter although occasionally they may damage the roots of green plants.

Pillbugs or rolly-pollies lack the tail-like appendages and can roll into a tight ball. 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, under 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.

Breeding can occur throughout the year in Florida. The female carries the eggs in a brood pouch on the underside of her body. Often there are 7 to 200 eggs per brood. The eggs hatch in 3 to 7 weeks and the young remain in the pouch another 6 to 7 weeks. Once the young leave the pouch, they never return. Some species produce only one brood per year, but others may produce 2 or more. Individuals may live up to 3 years.

APPEARANCE of PILLBUG ________________________________________________________________

The Pill Bug has three body parts: head, thorax, and the abdomen. Pill Bugs have one prominent pair of antennae (one inconspicuous pair). They have simple eyes, seven pairs of legs, and seven separate segments on thorax. They have paired appendages at end of abdomen called uropods. Color varies from dark gray to white with or without pattern. On the underside, females have leaf-like growths at base of some legs. These brood pouches hold developing eggs and embryos. The first two appendages on the male abdomen are modified as elongated copulatory organs.

PILL BUG CONTROL __________________________________________________________________

A good residual sprayed along entry pts., cracks and crevices, baseboards is important. Even more important would be a good residual sprayed on the outside, in particular on the exterior walls that they are entering the home. Cyonara 9.7,or Cyper WP work well, sprayed 3 feet out, along the foundation and 3 ft. up the exterior wall as well as sprayed around the entry pts, like doors and windows. Cyonara 9.7 will not leave a visible residue seen on dark surfaces as Cyper WP will do. Repeat treatments of these suggested liquid residual insecticides every 3 monthsTALSTAR ONE or BIFEN GRANULES would be an additional treatment around the house to serve as a barrier. The advantage of granule treatments in addition to liquid residual barriers is that they hold up under rainfall. Repeat treatments of granules every 3 months.