Sow Bugs Control

Sow bugs are insect species, belonging to the group woodlice (singular woodlouse). They look very much like pill bugs, that are another type of woodlice. These two bugs are categorized under land crustaceans, as they have the adaptability to survive their entire life on land habitat. However, similar to aquatic crustaceans, they breath with the help of gills. Hence, a damp environment with sufficient moisture is crucial for survival of sow bugs and the similar looking pill bugs.

Sow bugs are slate gray in color, with an oval shaped, segmented body. At maturity, a sow bug measures to about 15 mm length and 7-8 mm width. Two pairs of antennae are present, but only one pair can be recognized. They can be distinguished from pill bugs by the presence of two rear appendages that appear like tail. Besides in the garden, sow bugs often invade basements and damp areas of the house.

How to Get Rid of Sow Bugs in the House

Similar to pill bugs, sow bugs are not very destructive pests, either in the house or garden. They do not bite or sting, neither do they spread diseases on humans. However, bug infestation of any type is not an indication of a sound home. Following are some of the effective tips for sow bugs control in the house:

Fill Cracks and Fissures: Check for any cracks at the ground level or above it, particularly near the foundation. You can use a caulking gun for the purpose of filling cracks and crevices (if any). In case of homes with poor drainage system, it should be corrected immediately. This way, you can prevent the entry gate for these pests.

Solve Moisture Problems: Infestation of sow bugs in the house signifies a high moisture in and around the house. Thus, the best way to get rid of them is to solve the moisture problem first. In basement area, you can lay polyethylene covers and provide adequate ventilation to prevent infestation of sow bugs.

Lower Humidity Level: If in any case, these bugs enter the house in groups, you can kill them by reducing the humidity level. Being an insect that breathes with gills, a sow bug cannot tolerate a dry environment or a low humidity condition. You can rent a good quality house humidifier to reduce the room humidity to a recommended level.

Clean Excess Vegetation: Check for plant debris, decaying wood logs and vegetation in the surrounding perimeter area of the house. Removing these breeding grounds for sow bugs will help in getting rid of these woodlice species. Those items that cannot be cleaned should be kept above the ground level.

Spray Chemical Pesticides: You can also find chemical formulations for controlling sow bugs in the house. Consider spraying pesticides in foundation walls, near drainage holes and basements of the house. While using such products, ensure that you go through the label or user directions for applying correct concentrations of the pesticides.

For those homes that have attached garage and greenhouse, extra care in terms of providing ventilation and lowering humidity is required for controlling sow bugs. In order to prevent sow bug infection in flowers and plants, over mulching and excess irrigation should be avoided. Instead of using chemical pesticides at the first instant, you can try other eco-friendly alternatives for the control of sow bugs.