Why Are You Worried About A Sowbug Infestation?

If you have a garden, you\’re more than likely to encounter a variety of insects. Some are troublesome pests, while others are beneficial. But there are also cases when a bug mixes the two. This is particularly true with Sowbugs.

Sowbugs are typically found near sources of moisture and can be beneficial in gardens and landscape areas because they feed primarily on decaying debris, which aids in the decomposition process. They become a nuisance when they venture indoors in search of damp environments to hide out and food.

If left untreated, Sowbugs can become a significant problem in the home. As a result, basements, baths, and kitchens are key areas to inspect—any location where your plumbing leaks may also be a source of concern.

If you have a garden, pots, or planters, sowbugs will likely find their way into them. Controlling sow bugs in the yard is a difficult task. However, gardening with appropriate practices can prevent sowbugs and other pests from damaging crops.

What Are Sow Bugs?

Sowbug, sometimes called rollie-poly, is a crustacean that has evolved to survive without water. They have a closer similarity to shrimp, crabs, and lobsters.

Sowbugs are beneficial bugs in the garden. They eat anything, including decaying plant materials and recycling soil nutrients. 

However, things become more complicated when enormous populations of sowbugs devour garden vegetables and plants, or worse if they make their way into your house.

Fortunately, while sowbugs can be an annoyance, they have not been recognized to do physical harm. However, because they might cause damage to your vegetation through feeding, it is critical to managing their look.

What Is the Best Way to Identify Sow Bugs?

Their bodies are gray and segmented. They can grow to be a length of 3/8 inch. Sowbugs have a tail on their backs; pillbugs don\’t have a seat and can curl up into a ball whenever disturbed. So, they are usually referred to as \”roly-polies.\”

Some significant features to identify Sowbugs:

• There are seven pairs of legs.
• There are two sets of antennae, but only one of them can be seen
• The color varies from dark gray to white, and it may be solid or patterned
• Rounded bodies with convex surfaces on the top and concave surfaces on the bottom
• When you start to disturb the ground during gardening, you\’re likely to see hundreds or even thousands of them.

Sowbugs are attracted to damp areas such as slabs, entrances, and window frames. Moisture from leaks or condensation brings mold, mildew, and algae – the pests\’ primary food source.

What Should You Look For?

You\’re looking for high-moisture locations and Sowbugs. If you\’re outside, inspect wet soil, bene, roof, within woodpiles, and other spots where moisture is formed. In basements, look for leaks in the walls, roof, and other places where moisture is formed.

The regions where excessive moisture and sowbugs are most prevalent will be the target of your treatment. Check for any leakage or moisture-related issues before beginning treatment.

Do Sowbugs Cause A Significant Risk To Human Health?

Like the pillbug, high populations of sowbugs can harm young plants. However, Sowbugs cause no significant risk to human health. They don\’t bite or carry diseases like other species. Additionally, they do not cause structural damage to buildings.

Even if they aren\’t hazardous, Sowbugs are an annoyance and should not be permitted indoors.

What Is The Source Of My Sowbug Infestation?

Sowbugs are a nuisance in properties with moist areas where they might thrive. Overwatered gardens, clogged gutters, leaking pipes, low-lying regions, and moist soil provide the humid environments that sowbugs require to survive.

What Is The Best Place To Look For Sowbugs?

Sowbugs are nocturnal creatures who spend their days concealing themselves in dark, moist environments such as gardens and behind heaps of leaves, bricks, and garbage or recycling bins.

At night, they\’ll get into the house through cracks in the foundation or basement doors when they\’re out scavenging for food.

When the weather is scorching and dry, sowbugs also migrate indoors. With their high moisture requirements, Sowbugs will migrate to locations with adequate moisture.

If you discover a considerable number of sowbugs in your house, there may be more sowbugs outside in proximity to your home.

How to Eliminate Sow Bugs?

1. The first step in controlling sowbugs is removing all garden debris. This includes raking up and removing anything in the garden that provides a secure place for sowbugs to hide, such as dead plants, stones, wooden planks, and other debris. Remove them near the basement to prevent sow bugs from getting your property through cracks and crevices.
2. Chemicals are not required for the eradication of sowbugs. Other techniques of killing sow bugs are unnecessary if moisture is controlled.
3. Hand removal is an option for removing sow bugs from the garden. If you have any, it is possible to migrate the sowbugs to a worm bed or compost bin for vermicomposting. Letting the sow bugs alone is better than killing them because they break down organic matter.
4. Apply diatomaceous earth around seedlings to control sow bugs. This prevents sow bugs away from plants in the garden.
5. Placing a cantaloupe open-side-down can be an effective method when it comes to controlling sowbugs. This can be used to control sow bugs in the compost pile. Alternatively, rotten fruit on the grass should be removed to prevent insects from attracting to the garden and orchard.
6. Using a garlic/water solution to spray moist floor areas frequently causes sowbugs to flee. Alternatively, a pepper solution may have the same benefit.
7. After you\’ve wetted potential issues, try organic bug control. Ascertain that the insecticide is organic and has iron phosphate and spinosad.
8. In your garden beds, place sealed containers holding cornmeal. Make a hole near the base for the sow bugs. Cornmeal is said to attract sow bugs and then kill them once consumed.

What Causes Them To Infest Homes?

Sowbugs are nocturnal scavengers. If they\’ve contaminated your home, it\’s because they\’re looking for anything inside. In most cases, it\’s either food or water.

Sowbugs live in a dark, wet environment with a lot of decaying matter. If they\’ve made their way inside your home, they live in garages, sheds, wood heaps, attics, and basements.

If you suspect your indoor is infested with sowbugs, start inspecting in the dampest area. You\’re likely to have come across them hidden nearby.

Sowbugs live in moist locations like basements, crawlspaces, and laundry rooms. They are non-hazardous and die relatively soon, so sweep them away. If this is not a realistic option, disposable sticky traps can control sowbug populations.

The most effective strategy for dealing with sowbugs in the home is to prevent them from entering in the first instance. Dry the air with a dehumidifier or a fan to achieve drier conditions. Caulk the perimeters of windows and doors. Sowbugs can enter through small cracks and openings, so make sure these are sealed.

How do I prevent sowbugs from infesting my home or business?

The most effective technique to avoid sowbug infestations is eliminating their food source. Do not allow them to obtain food, drink, or shelter in the area of your property. Let\’s start with what sowbugs require most: dampness. If you can prevent sowbugs from finding a source of water, they will have to locate it elsewhere. If you like to get rid of sowbugs, there are a few particular methods you may take:

• Installing a dehumidifier to the entire house. Even though this is a harsh approach, there are significant benefits to taking this step. To keep your home dry, whole-home dehumidifiers are a great option. You can improve your living conditions while simultaneously reducing the attraction of your home to pests.
• Use mulch. It allows water to move freely if you have a landscape or potted plants. Keeping water retention to a minimum is essential when using mulch that prevents pests. Mulches that allow water to pass through readily will help to minimize moisture levels to a minimum level. A pest-free environment for your houseplants will still be ensured.
• Repair any leaking plumbing fittings Immediately. Instantly repair any leaks in the toilet, pipe, or fixture. Pests like sowbugs swarm to these damp areas.
• Keep your waste bins clean regularly. A garbage container is an ideal habitat for a sowbug. It\’s dark, humid, and full of decomposing materials. Keep your garbage cans clean once a week to avoid buildup.

What Are The Preventative Measures For Sowbug Infestation?

1. Look for dark, moist hiding places around the house. Examples are decorative things on your porch, heaps of logs, and the areas under basement appliances. Repair these issues or dry out the areas.

2. Use a dehumidifier to dry up the basement.

3. Finally, make sure all exterior doors are properly closed.

4. Replace weather stripping that is damaged or deteriorated.

5. To get rid of sowbugs, use a mix of Bifen LP Granules and Reclaim IT in your garden and perimeter to keep them away.

How Can I Avoid Future Sowbug Infestations?

Prevent sowbug infestations by following these prevention tips:

1. Place a barrier in between mulch and the foundation of your home. For example, crushed rock can be used to prevent damp soil surface and mulch from getting into interacting directly with your house\’s exterior.

2. Keep gutters free of debris so that they can do their work of moving rainwater away from your home\’s foundation.

3. Trim dense shrubbery surrounding your property so the sun can dry the soil.

4. Store compost containers, waste bins, and recycling bins away from the exterior of your property.

5. Seal any holes or cracks in your home\’s foundation.

6. Seal any gaps that have formed beneath outside doors.

7. If your property has a foundation, install dehumidifiers to keep it dry and repel sowbugs.

How to Control Sow Bugs?

Two phases of control are required for these isopods. To begin, attempt to ascertain the source of any moisture issues.

It\’s essential that you have any damaged caulking or leaking windows or roofs repaired as soon as possible. Any continuous supply of water encourages the growth of mold and algae and diminishes the overall effect of chemical treatments.

The dampness likely allows the bug to be permanently present. Any sowbugs killed will be rapidly replaced by more sow bugs in search of shelter and food.

If the weather is fine, but there are many mulches, stones, pine straw, wood chips, or other materials around the building, the activity will likely continue. However, even when the moisture level is lowered, the issue will almost certainly require some treatment to be resolved permanently.

1. Provide vines with trellises or raise fruits like strawberries and melons out from the ground to improve air circulation.
2. Use coarse mulches that let water move freely, so the soil around plants doesn\’t stay wet.
3. Sprinkle Insect Killer Granules over basements, lawns, and planted areas to eradicate or repel various pests.
4. Reliable and organic bait should be spread over the ground surface or near the problem regions.
5. Fast-acting botanical pesticides can be applied to the soil if infestations become unbearable.

What Is The Best Way To Trap Sow Bugs?

There are several trapping methods that you can use in your garden. However, these require regular examination and replacement to be the most efficient in decreasing sow bug populations.

1. The Potato Trap –

It\’s a good idea to place half of a potato on the ground near your plants or newly seeded area. Keep the potato traps out for a few days, and thus sowbugs can find them.

2. The Melon Trap –

A melon, sliced in half and scooped out the flesh while keeping the rind intact, can be used as a solution. The sliced side of these rinds should face down on the soil. This produces a moist and appealing habitat for the sowbugs, which will be driven by the water content and sweetness of the melon flesh.

3. The Newspaper Trap –

Roll a few sheets of newspaper into a tube and seal one end using tape, string, or scrunching. Set the newspaper tube in a shady area in the garden bed, or moisten it with a spray of water and the paper trap in a shaded area in the garden bed. You can pick up the bugs and throw them in the garbage the following day.

Where Should Sow Bug Nests Be Treated?

First, you must focus on the exterior of the house. This is often where they will nest. Next, maxxthor Granules can be used on mulch beds, gardens, and lawns. Maxxthor is a slow-acting compound, but each application can last three months.

Apply Bithor to the foundation and surrounding ground surfaces. Unlike emulsifiable concentrates, this concentrate will remain on the surface of porous substrates such as cement and wood for a longer period.

What Are The Most Effective Chemical Solutions for Sow Bugs?

• Chemicals should only be used if sowbugs constitute a significant issue. In that scenario, you can spray a multi-purpose insecticide around your house\’s base and perimeter. Ascertain if the product is approved for use in the treatment of sowbugs before purchasing it.
• Spray insecticide on exterior doors, vents, crawl space entrances, and siding. Before using insecticides, pull mulch away from your home\’s perimeter.
• Slug and snail pellets can also be sprinkled around boards, flower pots, and other areas where sowbugs cluster. Don\’t use harmful slugs and snail baits with kids or pets in gardens.