Scientific name: Armadillidium vulgare Family: Armadillidiidae Order: Isopoda Risk level: Low Category: Crawling pests
? What is a common pill woodlouse
The common pill woodlouse (Armadillidium vulgare) can roll itself completely into a defensive ball, which gives it the common name “pill bug.” It is not an insect but a terrestrial crustacean associated with damp environments. Its presence is a reliable indicator of a structural moisture problem.
Common pill woodlouse life cycle
The life cycle varies: woodlice reproduce through eggs in a brood pouch, while mollusks lay eggs in damp soil.
Where common pill woodlice occur
They occur worldwide in damp environments and are found in humid and agricultural areas of the Gulf, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Damage and risks associated with common pill woodlice
They do not cause human diseases. They may damage the roots of young plants, are a nuisance and indicate a moisture problem.
Signs of common pill woodlice
Signs include the animals themselves in damp, dark places, plant damage and slimy secretions (from slugs).
Where common pill woodlice are found
They occur under stones and firewood, near water sources, under plant pots, and in damp, dark areas close to building structures.
Common pill woodlouse control methods
Reducing humidity is the most important step. Remove firewood and accumulated organic matter. Use metaldehyde baits for slugs and diatomaceous earth for prevention.
Common pill woodlouse control products
Use metaldehyde for snails and slugs, environmentally safe iron phosphate, and diatomaceous earth for isolation.
Food-facility control requirements
FSSC/BRCGS: woodlice and mollusks indicate unacceptable moisture conditions and must be included in pest-control plans.
A fact about common pill woodlice
The common pill woodlouse is one of the few crustaceans fully adapted to terrestrial life. It has pseudotracheae that function as primitive lungs and are more developed than those of its marine relatives, making it a study model for the evolution of respiration from water to land.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Are common pill woodlice dangerous?
A: Their risk level is low. Their presence in a facility indicates a moisture problem. Addressing the moisture source is more important than treating the woodlice directly.
Q: What does a moisture indicator mean?
A: The presence of these organisms indicates high humidity or a drainage problem in the facility. Addressing the moisture will reduce their presence automatically.
