Scavengers that also go by the name rollie pollies, pill bugs roll up into a ball when disturbed. You may find them under rocks, logs, fallen leaves, or other dark, humid places.
Pillbugs (Armadillidium vulgare) are crustaceans and do have their uses by mostly feeding on dead or decaying organic material [1]. However, an infestation can cause problems in the garden, as these critters may also eat seedlings and plant roots.
Moreover, seeing them inside the house means there is a large population outdoors. Below are tips on how to get rid of pill bugs naturally.
1. Beer Trap
Any type of beer will attract pillbugs. Fill a plastic cup or bowl with beer and sink it into the ground.
The rim of the cup should be in line with the surface of the ground, so the bugs can crawl in and drown. Remove and replace the beer once you are satisfied with the number of bugs inside.
2. Remove Mulch and Dead Plant Matter
The rolly pollies bug thrives on rotting vegetables, mulch, and other decomposed plant matter. So, removing these materials from the garden and around the house will deter these creatures.
3. Diatomaceous Earth
Another home remedy to get rid of rollie pollies naturally is diatomaceous earth (DE). Sprinkle it in the vegetable garden and areas of the house where pill bugs congregate.
The sharp edges of the substance will also cut into the critters, dehydrate them, and kill them.
You can also spread it around seedling trays and potted plants. However, use food-grade diatomaceous earth to get rid of pill bugs inside the house.
4. Dry Up Moist Areas
As with all living things, a roly poly needs moisture to survive and thrive.
As a result, drying up damp areas in the house or where there is run-off from water on outside walls is important. This will likely be more effective at keeping the house free of these pests than any chemical spray.
5. Garlic Spray
A solution of crushed garlic and water sprayed on and around roll up bugs deters them.
Make a homemade pill bug spray by combining one tablespoon of crushed garlic with a quart of water.
Spray the solution on the pests and in areas where you see them. Garlic spray works well to get rid of pill bugs organically.
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 to make depressions in each piece. Next, place the cut side down in the soil or infested areas and leave for a day or two before removing.
On checking in the morning, there should be plenty of rollie pollies underneath the potato bait. Finally, remove the potatoes and bugs and dispose of them.
7. Sluggo Plus
This commercial product contains Spinosad, a naturally occurring soil bacterium that controls pill bugs, slugs, sowbugs, earwigs, snails, and other pests.
Sluggo also contains iron phosphates that disrupt the feeding patterns of some garden pests, leading to starvation and death. It is considered an organic method of pest control.
Sluggo is in a pelleted formula and comes in a shaker-top container for easy use. If using on the soil, dampen the ground first and then sprinkle the pellets around the targeted area.
Manufacturers advise not using it more than three times in a month and not within three days of harvesting any infected edible plants. Also, apply in the evening for safety and effectiveness.
You can also use it along with a slug saloon container for indoor and greenhouse problem areas.
8. Essentria IC-3
This product is a combination of essential oils, including rosemary, peppermint, and geraniol. It has a quick-action knockdown effect on flying insects like horse flies and mosquitoes and a long-term residual effect on crawling pests.
Essentria is powerful, but it is natural and safe to use in the home, in schools, and in public places.
Prepared as directed on the product’s information leaflet, mist the solution around buildings, vehicles, and problem areas.
Essentria will eliminate pill bugs. Moreover, it is effective against many insect pests.
9. Bonide Bug & Slug Killer
Bonide is an excellent product to take care of a roly poly infestation. It also comes in pellet form for those who prefer not to spray. This product kills rollie pollie bugs and is effective against certain types of crawling insects.
The active ingredients are spinosad and iron phosphate. Although it is not toxic to humans or pets, it can be an irritant. Thus, use it according to the instructions and keep it away from children.
Sprinkle it as a barrier around the areas you want to protect. Reapply after heavy rain or watering.
10. Cornmeal
Another popular natural remedy to get rid of rolly pollies in your garden is cornmeal.
Fill a plastic food bag or container with cornmeal and make holes big enough for the critters to enter.
The ingested cornmeal will kill pill bugs. You can then dispose of the bags and place new ones around infestation areas.
11. Coffee Grounds
This is a useful and inexpensive method for coffee drinkers to use in their gardens.
Spread a ring around plants to protect seedlings and young growth; burned grounds are even better. This is more of a way of deterring the bugs than killing them. Additionally, coffee grounds contain caffeine, which repels ants and other pests.
Use saucers or bowls of coffee grounds near an indoor pill bug infestation to repel them.
12. Neem Oil
Neem oil will help clear up many pest problems. It is mildly poisonous to pill bugs and will also keep fungal plant diseases at bay.
Use it in outdoor gardens, greenhouses, and houseplants. Furthermore, you can obtain it as an organic pest control product.
13. Natural Predators
There are plenty of creatures that prey on pill bugs. Common pill bug predators include frogs, birds, spiders, centipedes, lizards, and ants.
FAQ
Will Soapy Water Kill Pill Bugs?
No, it will not. A plain soap and water solution is effective in killing small, soft-bodied insects and related pests. As a result, it will not harm pill bugs because of their shell-like protective covering.
Does Vinegar Kill Them?
Vinegar can be used to get rid of some pests like ants, fruit flies, and aphids. But, its acidity is not potent enough to penetrate the pill bug’s hard, shell-like exoskeleton.
Takeaway
Roly poly pill bugs feed on dead plants and other organic matter and can serve a useful purpose in the garden. However, often confused with sowbugs (that cannot roll up), they can become a nuisance.
Whether you call them sal bugs, the rollie pollie ollie bug, or ball bugs, these natural methods will help control them.
See also: how to get rid of roaches naturally.
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