How do rolly-pollies get in your house? These little critters, also known as pill bugs, sneak in through cracks and gaps, looking for moisture and decaying plant material. Before you know it, they’re making themselves at home.
As your go-to pest control specialists in Temecula, we know exactly why pill bugs love your place. Let’s uncover their sneaky habits and learn some simple tricks to keep these tiny invaders out for good.
Key Takeaways
Reduce moisture, seal cracks, and remove decaying material to keep pill bugs, or roly polies, out of your home. These steps will help eliminate their hiding spots and entry points.
Watch for pill bugs in damp areas, dead pill bugs, and damage to young plants. These signs indicate a larger, potentially unseen population that needs addressing.
If you have a persistent pill bug problem, contact LOCAL Bug Guy. Our trained technicians in Temecula, CA, offer quick, local service to rid your home of pill bugs and other common pests.
What Are Rolly-Pollies?
Rolly-pollies, also known as pill bugs or Armadillidium vulgare, are unique crustaceans that have adapted to live entirely on land. They’re easy to spot thanks to their distinctive ability to roll into a tight ball when disturbed, a defensive behavior that gives them their playful nickname.
These oval-shaped bugs are typically dark brown to black, measuring about 3/4 inch long, with seven pairs of legs and two pairs of antennae. Unlike insects, pill bugs require moisture to survive. They’re often found in damp places like basements, crawl spaces, and around decaying plant material.
Pill bugs play an essential role in the ecosystem by breaking down decaying plant matter. They thrive in environments with high moisture, such as under rocks, leaf litter, and rotting wood. These bugs are primarily nocturnal, coming out at night to feed on organic matter like decaying leaves and plant debris.
How Do Rolly-Pollies Get in Your House?
Pill bugs thrive in high-moisture environments and often seek shelter under rocks, mulch, flower pots, and decaying plant material. They enter homes in search of damp places to stay hydrated. Here are common entry points where they might invade your home:
Door thresholds: Especially sliding glass doors, where they crawl through gaps.
Basement windows: Cracks and openings around basement windows can be inviting.
Crawl spaces: Damp basements and crawl spaces provide an ideal habitat.
Excess moisture is a major reason why pill bugs invade homes. Leaky pipes, poor drainage, and heavy rainfall create moist areas that attract them.
These tiny pests are drawn to places with high humidity, like damp basements and first-floor bathrooms, where they can find the moisture they need to survive indoors.
Signs of a Pill Bug Infestation
Residents frequently find pill bugs in damp areas of their homes, such as first-floor bathrooms, basements, and crawl spaces. Seeing a pill bug indoors usually indicates a large population outside. Here are signs to look out for:
Pill bug sightings: Spotting pill bugs inside your home is a clear sign of an infestation. They are frequently found near areas with moisture.
Dead pill bugs: Finding dead pill bugs around your home can indicate a larger, unseen population.
Moisture problems: Persistent dampness in specific areas of your home can attract pill bugs. Look for signs of leaks or excessive moisture.
Damage to plants: Young plants with damage to roots and stems might be suffering from pill bug activity.
Decaying organic material: A build-up of decaying wood, leaves, or other organic matter can provide a food source for pill bugs.
Presence of sow bugs: Sow bugs, closely related to pill bugs, can indicate similar environmental conditions that favor a pill bug infestation.
Cracks and openings: Small cracks in your home’s foundation, gaps around door thresholds, and ill-fitting screens can provide entry points for pill bugs.
Nighttime activity: Increased nighttime activity around damp areas, including sightings on patios or in gardens, can indicate an infestation.
Increased presence of other pests: Other moisture-loving pests might be found alongside pill bugs, suggesting a shared habitat.
How to Prevent Pill Bugs from Entering Your Home
Pill bugs, while harmless, can become a nuisance if they invade your living space. Preventing a pill bug infestation involves minimizing moisture and removing potential hiding places around your home. Here are some practical steps to keep them out:
1. Reduce moisture
One of the primary reasons pill bugs go indoors is to find moisture. Fix leaky pipes and ensure proper drainage around your home's foundation. Pill bugs thrive in damp environments, so keeping your home dry is crucial.
2. Remove debris
Pill bugs love to hide under leaf litter, grass clippings, and other decaying plant matter. Regularly clear away these materials from your yard and garden. Removing this debris eliminates their natural habitat and reduces the likelihood of them wandering inside.
3. Seal cracks
Pill bugs can enter your home through tiny cracks and gaps. Seal cracks and openings around doors, basement windows, and the home's foundation. Pay special attention to areas around sliding glass doors and any other ground-level entry points.
4. Proper ventilation
Ensure crawl spaces and basements are well-ventilated to reduce humidity. Good airflow can significantly decrease moisture levels, making these areas less attractive to pill bugs.
5. Elevate items
Keep firewood and other items off the ground and away from your home. Pill bugs often harbor under items in contact with the soil, so storing these materials on elevated racks can help prevent them from getting too close to your house.
How to Get Rid of Pill Bugs
If pill bugs have already made their way into your home, here are some effective ways to get rid of them:
1. Vacuuming
One of the simplest methods to get rid of pill bugs is by vacuuming. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove pill bugs from indoor areas. Pay special attention to ground-level entry points and areas where moisture accumulates, as pill bugs tend to harbor in these spots.
2. Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth is a natural and effective way to deter pill bugs. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around entry points and areas where pill bugs live, such as near doors, windows, and basement areas. This substance dehydrates the bugs without using harsh chemicals.
3. Professional help
If you’re dealing with a large or persistent infestation, it's time to contact a pest control professional. These experts are trained to handle pill bug infestations effectively.
A pest control professional can provide targeted treatments and strategies to rid your home of pill bugs and prevent future invasions.
LOCAL Bug Guy: Your Solution to Rolly-Pollies
Are you tired of seeing pill bugs, also known as roly polies, invading your home?
These insects often gather around decaying material, grass clippings, and young plants, sneaking inside through small cracks and gaps. Once indoors, they hide under potted plants or other damp areas, creating a persistent pest problem.
The LOCAL Bug Guy is here to help. Our friendly and trustworthy technicians are specially trained to handle the most common pests in Temecula, CA, including pill bugs. We offer quick, local service with a personal touch to help you get rid of pill bugs and protect your home.
Call the LOCAL Bug Guy today to connect with a dedicated pest control expert and eliminate your worries about pests.
Summary
Pill bugs might be harmless, but they become a nuisance when they invade your home.
Understand how pill bugs get inside and take preventive measures like reducing moisture, sealing cracks, and removing decaying material to keep your home free from these little invaders.
When a persistent pill bug problem arises, the LOCAL Bug Guy stands ready to help. Our experienced technicians in Temecula, CA, specialize in handling pill bugs and other common pests so that your home remains pest-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I finding rolly-pollies in my house?
You may find rolly-pollies, or pill bugs, in your house because they seek moisture and food sources. They often sneak in through cracks and gaps, especially during early summer. To prevent this, consider using weather stripping and sealing entry points to keep them out.
Where do rolly-pollies come from?
Rolly-pollies come from damp environments like gardens, mulch, and areas with decaying plant material. They thrive in moist conditions and often harbor under rocks, leaf litter, and flower pots, eventually finding their way indoors when conditions are favorable.
Where do rolly-pollies like to hide?
Rolly-pollies like to hide in dark, damp places such as under-potted plants, decaying wood, and leaf litter. Indoors, they prefer basements, crawl spaces, and ground-level areas where moisture is present, making it crucial to control humidity and seal entry points.
Is it safe to touch Rolly-Pollies?
Yes, it is safe to touch rolly-pollies. These insects do not bite or sting, and they do not carry diseases harmful to humans. While they may feel strange to handle, they pose no threat if picked up gently and released back into their natural habitat.
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