Can you keep rolly pollies out of your garden? Yes, you can! Rolly pollies, also known as pill bugs or woodlice, are common garden visitors. While they aren’t typically harmful to healthy plants, they can sometimes munch on tender seedlings or damaged plant parts. This guide will give you proven tips for managing them. We’ll cover everything from creating less inviting environments to using natural methods for effective pill bug control. Good garden pest management is key to protecting your plants.
Image Source: growinginthegarden.com
Why Rolly Pollies Visit Your Garden
Rolly pollies are tiny, armored creatures that love damp, dark places. They are not insects but crustaceans, like tiny underwater crabs adapted to land. They eat decaying organic matter, like dead leaves and rotting wood. This makes them beneficial decomposers in most garden settings. However, when conditions are just right, or when your young plants are vulnerable, they might turn to your garden for a snack.
Common Attractions for Rolly Pollies
- Moisture: They need moisture to survive. Damp soil, overflowing mulch, and leaky hoses are big draws.
- Shelter: Rolly pollies hide under rocks, logs, leaf litter, and dense ground cover. These provide protection from dryness and predators.
- Food Sources: Decaying plant material is their main meal. If there’s a lot of it, they’ll be happy.
- Damage to Plants: While they prefer decay, they will eat soft or damaged plant tissues. This includes young seedlings, wilting leaves, or fruit touching the soil.
Creating a Less Inviting Garden Environment
The best way to keep rolly pollies out of your garden is to make it less appealing to them. This involves simple changes to your garden’s setup and maintenance. These are key steps in natural pest control.
Managing Moisture Levels
Rolly pollies need constant moisture. Reducing excess dampness is a primary strategy.
Tips for Moisture Control:
- Water Wisely: Water your plants in the morning. This allows the soil surface to dry out before evening, when rolly pollies are most active.
- Improve Drainage: Ensure your garden beds drain well. Raised beds can help. Avoid areas where water collects.
- Fix Leaks: Check for leaky faucets or irrigation systems. Any constant source of moisture can attract them.
- Ventilate Compost: If you have a compost bin, turn it regularly. This helps it dry out and prevents it from becoming a rolly polly haven.
Eliminating Hiding Spots
Rolly pollies seek shelter. Removing their preferred hiding places will encourage them to move elsewhere. This is part of effective garden protection.
Common Hiding Spots to Remove:
- Leaf Litter: Rake up fallen leaves, especially around vulnerable plants.
- Mulch Management: Keep mulch a few inches away from plant stems. Don’t let mulch pile up too high, as it can stay damp underneath.
- Debris Removal: Clear away old pots, boards, rocks, and other garden debris. These offer perfect daytime hiding spots.
- Tidy Up: Keep your garden tidy. Less clutter means fewer places for them to hide.
Natural Methods for Rolly Pollie Control
When you need more direct action, several natural methods can help with pill bug control. These are safe for your garden and beneficial insects.
Building Simple Traps
Traps are an effective way to catch and remove rolly pollies without harmful chemicals.
Popular Trap Ideas:
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Citrus Rind Trap:
- Cut a grapefruit or orange in half.
- Place the halves, cut-side down, on the soil near affected plants.
- Rolly pollies will gather under the rinds for moisture and shelter.
- Check the traps in the morning and discard the collected rolly pollies.
-
Damp Cardboard Trap:
- Roll up a piece of damp cardboard.
- Place it in your garden.
- Rolly pollies will seek shelter inside.
- Remove and empty the trap daily.
-
Potato Trap:
- Cut a potato in half.
- Hollow out a small cavity in the center.
- Place the potato half, cut-side down, in the garden.
- Rolly pollies will be attracted to the moist interior.
- Remove the trap with the captured rolly pollies.
Using Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Diatomaceous earth is a natural powder made from fossilized aquatic organisms. It works by scratching the rolly polly’s exoskeleton, causing them to dehydrate.
How to Use DE:
- Application: Sprinkle a thin layer of food-grade DE around the base of your plants.
- Timing: Apply it when the soil is dry. DE is less effective when wet.
- Caution: Wear a mask when applying to avoid inhaling the fine dust.
Employing Essential Oils
Certain essential oils can act as a natural woodlice deterrent.
Repellent Oils:
- Peppermint Oil: Mix a few drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle. Spray around affected areas.
- Cedarwood Oil: Cedarwood oil is also known to repel many crawling insects.
Application Tips:
- Dilution: Always dilute essential oils with water before spraying.
- Targeted Application: Spray directly on the soil around plants, not on the plants themselves, to avoid potential leaf burn.
- Reapplication: Reapply after rain or watering, as the scent can dissipate.
Introducing Natural Predators
In a healthy garden ecosystem, natural predators help keep pest populations in check.
Natural Allies:
- Birds: Many birds enjoy eating rolly pollies. Providing bird feeders and baths can attract them.
- Toads and Frogs: Amphibians are excellent at consuming insects and other small invertebrates.
- Ground Beetles: These beneficial insects are voracious predators of rolly pollies and other garden pests.
Other Garden Pest Management Strategies
While focusing on rolly pollies, it’s good to have a broader strategy for overall garden pest management. Sometimes, pests that help control rolly pollies can also be affected by other insect issues.
Companion Planting
Some plants can naturally deter pests. While specific companion plants for rolly pollies aren’t widely documented, a healthy, diverse garden is often more resilient.
Barriers and Shields
Creating physical barriers can prevent rolly pollies from reaching vulnerable plants.
Barrier Ideas:
- Copper Tape: Apply copper tape around pots or raised bed edges. Rolly pollies dislike crossing copper.
- Eggshells: Crushed eggshells can create a prickly barrier that deters them.
- Sand or Grit: A ring of coarse sand or grit around plants can also be a deterrent.
Manual Removal
Sometimes, the simplest method is the most effective.
How to Manually Remove:
- Evening Patrols: Take a flashlight and go on an evening patrol. Rolly pollies are most active at night.
- Collection: Gently pick them up and relocate them to a compost bin or a less sensitive area of your yard.
Distinguishing Rolly Pollies from Other Garden Pests
It’s important to know what you’re dealing with. While rolly pollies are often blamed, other pests might be the culprits.
Rolly Pollies vs. Slugs and Earwigs
- Rolly Pollies: Curl into a tight ball when disturbed. They have segmented bodies and multiple legs.
- Slugs: Leave a silvery slime trail. They are soft-bodied and have tentacles. Slug prevention often involves similar strategies as for rolly pollies, focusing on moisture and shelter.
- Earwigs: Have distinctive pincers at the rear. While some earwigs eat other pests, they can also damage plants. Earwig repellent strategies often include reducing moisture and eliminating hiding spots, much like for rolly pollies.
If you see slime trails, you likely have slugs. If you see pincers, it’s earwigs. Identifying the pest correctly ensures you use the right garden protection methods.
When Rolly Pollies Become a Problem
Rolly pollies are generally beneficial. They help break down organic matter. However, they can cause damage in certain situations:
- Seedling Stage: Young, tender seedlings are vulnerable to chewing.
- Damaged Plants: If a plant is already stressed, diseased, or damaged, rolly pollies might feed on the weakened tissue.
- Excessive Numbers: A very large population in a small area can overwhelm even healthy plants.
If you see significant damage, it’s time to implement stronger pill bug control.
Long-Term Garden Protection
Sustainable garden protection involves creating a balanced ecosystem.
Promoting Soil Health
Healthy soil supports strong plants that are less susceptible to pest damage.
- Composting: Add compost to your soil to improve its structure and nutrient content.
- Crop Rotation: Rotate your crops each year to prevent the buildup of soil-borne pests and diseases.
- Cover Cropping: Planting cover crops can improve soil health and deter pests.
Attracting Beneficial Insects
Encourage insects that prey on pests.
- Plant Pollinator-Friendly Flowers: Flowers like dill, parsley, and yarrow attract ladybugs and predatory wasps, which can help with other insect issues.
- Provide Water Sources: Bird baths and shallow dishes of water with pebbles can attract beneficial insects and amphibians.
FAQ Section
Q1: Are rolly pollies harmful to my garden?
A1: Generally, no. They primarily eat decaying organic matter. They might nibble on very young seedlings or damaged plant parts, but they aren’t usually a major threat to healthy plants.
Q2: What is the best natural woodlice deterrent?
A2: Many natural methods work. Reducing moisture, eliminating hiding spots, and using traps are very effective. Some essential oils like peppermint can also act as a repellent.
Q3: Can I use slug prevention methods for rolly pollies?
A3: Yes, many methods used for slug prevention are also effective for rolly pollies. Both prefer damp environments and hiding places.
Q4: How can I get rid of rolly pollies permanently?
A4: It’s difficult to eliminate them permanently, as they are a natural part of the garden ecosystem. The goal is to manage their population so they don’t damage your plants. Consistent management of moisture and shelter is key.
Q5: Do earwig repellent strategies help with rolly pollies?
A5: Yes, reducing moisture and eliminating hiding places are common strategies for both earwig repellent and rolly polly control.
Q6: What is an effective insect barrier for rolly pollies?
A6: Physical barriers like copper tape around pots or containers, or rings of sand or crushed eggshells around plants, can act as an insect barrier.
Q7: Is there an organic pest control method that targets rolly pollies specifically?
A7: While no organic method targets only rolly pollies, the methods discussed (moisture management, habitat reduction, traps, diatomaceous earth) are all organic pest control solutions that effectively manage their numbers.
Q8: How do I approach garden protection when dealing with multiple pests?
A8: A holistic approach to garden protection is best. Focus on creating a healthy environment that supports beneficial insects and strong plant growth. This resilience helps manage various garden pest management challenges.
Q9: Can critter control methods be used for rolly pollies?
A9: Yes, critter control often involves making the area less attractive. For rolly pollies, this means reducing moisture and hiding places. Trapping and manual removal are also forms of critter control.
Q10: What are some simple ways to manage pill bug populations?
A10: Simple ways include keeping the garden tidy, watering in the morning, and using basic traps like citrus rinds or damp cardboard.
By implementing these strategies, you can effectively manage rolly polly populations in your garden, ensuring your plants thrive while maintaining a healthy garden ecosystem.