## Pillbugs: Friend or Foe in the Vegetable Garden?
Pillbugs, also known as roly-polys or woodlice, are small, oval-shaped creatures with a hard, segmented exoskeleton. They range in color from gray to brown and have seven pairs of legs. Pillbugs are scavengers and feed on decaying organic matter, such as dead leaves, compost, and rotting fruit and vegetables.
While pillbugs can be beneficial in compost piles and other areas where organic matter is decomposing, they can also be a nuisance in vegetable gardens. Pillbugs can damage seedlings and young plants by chewing on their leaves and stems. They can also spread diseases and pests to plants.
### Signs of Pillbug Infestation in Vegetable Gardens
There are several signs that may indicate you have a pillbug infestation in your vegetable garden:
Chewed leaves and stems on seedlings and young plants.
Droppings that resemble small, black pellets.
Pillbugs crawling on the soil or under mulch.
Damage to ripening fruit and vegetables, such as tomatoes and strawberries.
### Are Pillbugs Harmful to Vegetable Plants?
Yes, pillbugs can be harmful to vegetable plants. They can cause damage to seedlings and young plants by chewing on their leaves and stems. This can stunt the growth of the plants or even kill them. Pillbugs can also spread diseases and pests to plants. For example, they can carry and transmit the fungus that causes powdery mildew.
### How to Control Pillbugs in Vegetable Gardens
There are several methods you can use to control pillbugs in vegetable gardens:
Remove hiding places. Pillbugs like to hide in damp, dark places, such as under mulch, rocks, and boards. By removing these hiding places, you can make your garden less attractive to them.
Clean up garden debris. Pillbugs feed on decaying organic matter, so cleaning up garden debris can help to reduce their food source.
Use diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth is a natural insecticide that can kill pillbugs. Sprinkle it around the perimeter of your garden and on any areas where you see pillbugs crawling.
Set out traps. You can set out traps to catch pillbugs. One simple trap is to roll up a piece of wet newspaper and place it in your garden. The pillbugs will crawl inside the newspaper to hide, and you can then collect them and remove them from your garden.
Use chemical insecticides. If other methods have not been effective, you may need to use a chemical insecticide to control pillbugs. Be sure to follow the directions on the product label carefully.
### Prevention is Key
The best way to control pillbugs in vegetable gardens is to prevent them from getting there in the first place. Here are some tips for preventing pillbug infestations:
Keep your garden clean and free of debris.
Water your plants deeply and regularly, but avoid overwatering.
Mulch around your plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid over-mulching.
Install a fence around your garden to keep pillbugs out.
Use raised beds to elevate your plants off the ground.
By following these tips, you can help to keep pillbugs out of your vegetable garden and protect your plants from damage.