Pill Bugs - Knowledgebase Question

Midvale, Ut
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Question by the_shadowk
June 16, 2009
I have a huge pill bug problem to the point of them eating all of my plants. What is recommended in getting rid of them, but keeping my veggies safe to eat?


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Answer from NGA
June 16, 2009
Pillbugs, or sowbugs, are one of those beneficial soil dwelling critters that consumes decaying organic debris. They help break down dead plant matter, so killing them isn't recommended. Sometimes their populations, especially in cool, damp soils, gets overwhelming and they begin to attack living plant material. You can trap them by placing damp folded newspapers on the soil in the evening. The bugs will crawl between the folds to hide. In the morning pick up the newspapers and put them in the compost pile, where the bugs will help break down plant debris. After a few days of transporting the bugs out of your garden, you won't have such a problem with them, and they'll be in the compost where they can do the most good.

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