Does Your Home Have Rolly-Pollies?

You’ve heard the name. You’ve seen the bug.

But the question remains… “Does my home have rolly-pollies in it?”

What Do Rolly-Pollies Look Like?

You’ll know immediately when you see rolly-pollies because of their blue-grey, multi-plated shells. The reason they have these shells is that they’re actually crustaceans, not insects.

If you find one walking along and it becomes scared of you, it will roll itself into a ball — hence the name “Roly Poly.” (Other names include “pill bugs” and “sow bugs.”) This is their method of self-defense, as it protects them from being bitten or stung by other insects. They also can release an odor to ward off enemies.

Underneath their crustacean shells are the head, thorax, abdomen, seven sets of legs, eyes, a pair of antennae, uropods, and gills with lung-like adaptations.

Where Can You Find Rolly-Pollies?

You will NEVER see rolly-pollies out and about underneath the glow of sunlight.

Why?

Because they will die! Seriously. While they’re not traditional crustaceans who can live underwater, they DO need a moist environment in order to survive. If they are under direct sunlight for too long, they will dry out and wither away.

This cold-blooded creature will stay in dark, moist places such as basements, crawl spaces, underneath soil of potted plants, in gardens, etc.

What to Do When Your Home Has Rolly-Pollies?

Rolly-Pollies are as harmless as can be. They can actually be beneficial to your garden since they will eat decomposed materials from plants and animals, as well as stink bug eggs. Since stink bugs are a major garden and crops pest, having rolly-pollies in your garden is actually a good thing!

If you find any rolly-pollies in your home, that is a sign that you have a moisture problem that needs to be addressed. Once you remove the excess moisture from your home, the rolly-pollies will be no more!

However, if you have a serious infestation, contact Knockout Pest Control to explore more pest management options.