Last updated: January 2016 Site Created by: Andre Chagljevich
Pill bugs and sow bugs are dark grey in color and 1/4" to 5/8" long. Pill bugs can be distinguished from sow bugs because pill bugs are able to roll up into a ball when alarmed.
Female pill bugs and sow bugs carry their eggs in a brood pouch where the young hatch in about 45 days. There are 24-28 eggs in each brood; and one to three broods are produced each year.
Pill bugs and sow bugs are found in moist areas where they feed on organic matter. They are commonly found outdoors under stones and plant materials. Sow bugs and pill bugs will at times invade damp basement areas as well as the first floors of houses. When this occurs they are most likely always present in large numbers in the soil and under plants immediately outside the house. Generally sow bugs and pill bugs do not live long inside as they dry out quickly.
For effective control, it is beneficial to reduce moist
environments by removing any piles of organic matter, wood,
and any other materials that create harborage areas. In order
to achieve control, Target Pest Control will perform a crack
and crevice application inside to damp areas where pill bugs
and sow bugs may be hiding and outside, will treat around the
perimeter and to dark moist areas such as under porches, in window
wells, around rock gardens etc.