Woodlice are one of the few land crustaceans. They have oval, grey, segmented bodies 10-15mm long, with 14 legs and prominent antennae. Common names include ‘slaters’, ‘sow-bugs’ and ‘pill-bugs’.
There are three species that enter houses from the garden - one of which, the pill woodlouse, rolls up into a tight ball when disturbed.
Woodlice are harmless feeders upon rotten wood or other vegetable matter in cool, damp areas. They typically live underneath stones, clumps of plants, logs, or doormats, from which they may crawl into dark corners of a house. Rockeries with aubrietia are great favourites with them.
How to get rid of Woodlice
No treatment is necessary but if they persist put right any dampness, remove infested vegetation and use an insecticidal powder or long-lasting spray around door-thresholds or other points of entry. Amateur use products are available from your local garden centre or hardware store. Just make sure you select a product labelled for control of woodlice.
For heavy infestations, we would recommend you contact professional pest control company, preferably a member of the BPCA to administer treatment. A trained professional will have the technical knowledge and access to a range of professional use products and equipment which are not available to the public.
Having problems with Woodlice?
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