Sasha CampbellYou may ask: Are pill bugs (also known as rolly pollies) beneficial to have in the garden?
A roly-poly has its uses, mainly by feeding on dead or decaying organic material [1]. However, when populations become too large or food is scarce, they may also feed on tender seedlings, young leaves, ripening fruits touching the soil, and soft plant roots.
Moreover, if you frequently notice them indoors, there may be excess moisture in the home or nearby large outdoor populations. At this point, you need to take the necessary steps to control them.
How to Get Rid of Pill Bugs Naturally
These are some home remedies and natural solutions that you can try.
1. Beer Trap
Any beer will attract pill bugs. Therefore, fill a plastic cup or bowl with beer and sink it into the ground.
The cup’s rim should align with the ground’s surface so the bugs can crawl in and drown. Once satisfied with the number of bugs inside, remove and replace the beer.
2. Remove Mulch and Dead Plant Matter
Pill bugs thrive on rotting vegetables, mulch, and other decomposed plant matter. Removing these materials from the garden and around the house will deter these creatures.
3. Diatomaceous Earth
Another home remedy for naturally getting rid of roly-poly bugs is diatomaceous earth (DE). Sprinkle it in the vegetable garden and in areas of the house where pill bugs congregate.
The fine particles damage their outer covering, causing them to dehydrate and die.
You can also spread it around seedling trays and potted plants. Food-grade diatomaceous earth can also help control pill bugs that infest homes.
4. Dry Up Moist Areas
Like all living things, a roly-poly needs moisture to survive and thrive. Drying damp areas in the house, particularly those where water runs off the outside walls, is essential.
This method is likely to be more effective at keeping the home free of these pests than any chemical sprays.
5. Garlic Spray
A solution of crushed garlic and water, when sprayed on and around these pests, deters them.
Make a homemade pill bug spray by combining one tablespoon of crushed garlic with a quart of water.
Apply the solution directly to pill bugs and around areas where they are active. Garlic spray mainly works as a natural repellent and may help discourage them from treated areas.
6. Potato Trap
Full of moisture and food, roly-poly bugs are easily attracted to this DIY method.
Cut some potatoes in half and spoon away some of the flesh to make depressions in each piece. Next, leave the potatoes in the soil or infested areas overnight before removing them the next morning.
Upon checking in the morning, there should be plenty of roly-polies underneath the potato bait. Finally, remove the potatoes and bugs and dispose of them.
7. Repellent Plants
Strong-smelling plants such as rosemary, mint, basil, marigolds, and chrysanthemums may help discourage pill bugs and other garden pests from certain areas.
Use these plants as companion plants whenever possible.
8. Sluggo Plus
Sluggo Plus contains both iron phosphate and spinosad, which help control pill bugs, slugs, sowbugs, earwigs, and snails.
It is an easy-to-use pelleted formula in a shaker-top container. If using it on the soil, dampen the ground first, then sprinkle the pellets around the targeted area.
However, manufacturers recommend using it no more than three times a month.
Also, avoid using it within 3 days of harvesting any edible plants treated with it. For safety and effectiveness, apply it in the evening.
You can also use it with a slug saloon trap in indoor and greenhouse problem areas.
9. Essentria IC-3
This product combines essential oils, including rosemary, peppermint, and geraniol. It quickly knocks down flying insects, such as horseflies and mosquitoes, and has a lasting effect on crawling pests.
Essentria is plant-oil based and is commonly used in homes, schools, and public places when applied according to the label directions.
Mix the solution as shown in the product leaflet. Then, spray it around buildings, vehicles, and trouble spots.
Essentria may help control pill bugs and other crawling pests when applied properly. It is also effective against many insect pests.
10. Bonide Bug & Slug Killer
Bonide can help control pill bugs and other crawling insects. Moreover, it comes in pellet form for those who prefer not to spray.
The active ingredients are spinosad and iron phosphate. Use this product according to the instructions, and keep it out of the reach of children.
Sprinkle it as a barrier around the areas you want to protect. Reapply after heavy rain or watering.
11. Citrus Peel Trap
Pill bugs are attracted to moist, decaying organic matter. So, citrus peels are an easy natural trap.
Place fresh orange, grapefruit, or lemon peels face down in the garden near infested areas in the evening. By morning, pill bugs will often gather underneath the peels to feed and hide.
Collect the peels along with the bugs and dispose of them away from the garden. Replace with fresh peels as needed until the population decreases.
12. Coffee Grounds
This product is a valuable, inexpensive remedy for coffee drinkers with gardens.
You can spread some used coffee grounds around plants to protect seedlings and young growth. Some gardeners believe the caffeine and strong scent of coffee grounds may help discourage certain pests.
Some people also place bowls of coffee grounds near indoor problem areas to help discourage pill bugs.
13. Neem Oil
Neem oil may help deter pill bugs in some situations, although it is generally more effective against soft-bodied insect pests.
It may also help suppress certain fungal plant diseases.
You can use it in outdoor gardens, greenhouses, and houseplants, and it is available as an organic pest control product.
14. Natural Predators
Plenty of creatures prey on pill bugs. Common predators of pill bugs include frogs, birds, spiders, centipedes, lizards, and ants.
15. Vinegar
Vinegar can effectively kill pests such as fruit flies and aphids. Its acidity may kill pill bugs on contact.
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water, then spray it directly onto pill bugs. Avoid spraying vinegar directly on desirable plants, as it may damage foliage.
FAQ
Will soapy water kill pill bugs?
Soapy water is usually less effective against pill bugs because of their hard outer covering, though strong soap solutions may kill some on contact.
Can you use cornmeal to make a trap for pill bugs?
There is very little scientific evidence that cornmeal kills pill bugs. This is more folklore than proven pest control.
Takeaway
Whether you call them sal bugs, rollie pollie ollie bugs, or ball bugs, pill bugs help break down dead plants and organic matter in the garden.
However, they can become a nuisance, often being confused with sowbugs (which cannot roll up).
Reducing excess moisture and removing hiding spots are often the most effective long-term control methods.
See also: How do you get rid of roaches naturally?
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