Organic Pest Control | Pill Bugs

Controlling pests in your vegetable garden can be challenging during the growing season. They are something that we are trying to avoid while transitioning into the next growing season.

Normally pill bugs, also known as rollie pollies, are harmless. Pill bugs are natural composting creatures. They have been known to take the metallic substance out of the soil. Pill bugs are great composters since they eat decaying matter. However, we have seen them eat some of our young seedlings and leaves.

So we are going to try two solutions to see which one will deter the pest the best. Which one do you think it will be?

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[DiscOutpost]

I am presently eradicating an infestation in my vegetable garden box. I found that, by far, the best method of attracting them is semi-hollowed out potato halves placed upside down. I got rid of hundreds this morning off two potato halves. Adding more today. A big strip of lettuce under a cardboard plate worked well also. You have to lift up the plate, then the lettuce and you will see tons underneath. I just scoop them up and put them in a large cup of alcohol and olive oil mix. Where their li'l billbug spirits go I know not.

[kristylarson]

I am a flower gardener with limited area & live in NYS zone 5b.
PILL BUG INVASION PLUS the fellow hungry travelers!
Last year in early spring I extended & made new flower garden beds along a bluestone path & so I made a wonderful soil mix & purchased beautiful healthy small flowering perennials. IT WAS GORGEOUS!
I had seen pill bugs around here before, but my other perennials made it.
Well, I got a TOTAL invasion of pill bugs & everyday I battled them in any way possible including hand picking from every plant, but by then I still lost many of my new beautiful plants & seedlings I grew.
They dig holes into the deep dirt & reproduce, once they hit the roots they come up to destroy even the healthiest plant.
I removed all of the new mulch I just put down & then got to work doing the daily task!
I keep my gardens clean & I literally tried EVERYTHING from the produce, to spices, to oils, to soap & food grade D.E., but this year (very mild winter no snow & now March 11th) So my war is beginning now before they invade!!!!
I just buckled down & bought Sluggo Plus because it's got all the bugs that I have listed straight up. These Pill Bugs, Earwigs, Centipedes & Snails all seem to travel together! I constantly find them together!
The way I understand it after reading & researching, is that the Pill Bugs & traveling friends eat the Sluggo plus & leave the beautiful plants alone. Some say it works great & it's organic so I'm desperate enough to give it a try! It also breaks down into the soil. I pray this is the answer, but it certainly isn't cheap!! Just wanted to share & welcoming any helpful info.
Happy gardening!

Monet's Garden & Design

[AlissaPaige]

So glad I came across this. It's the 1st one when you search "will diatomaceous earth kill pillbugs and slugs?"
At my new house my yard is infected!

[taragibbons]

Great job! I love that you tested SEVERAL methods! Thank your very informational and helpful video.

[HiddenOaksHomestead]

Good info! We're working on getting the beds ready too.

[SavingGreensHomestead]

I knew it was pill bugs eating my seedlings... I guess I will water in the morning and sprinkle the DE in the evening....thank you for sharing 🥰

[DuncanHomestead]

Great video. Very informative. I've never had a problem with pill bugs, but this is great to know if I ever do. Thanks!

[kele]

That was a really good demonstration! I bought Sluggo Plus earlier this season, not really expecting it to work. But it worked great. Haven't had to use it in quite a while, but I just found cutworms in a tiny bed of onions and basil that I pulled up. Need to use the Sluggo Plus again.

[EssayonsFG]

Thanks for sharing, Sidney and Tori. Lots of great info. We haven't had problems with pill bugs in our garden, yet.
Take care and stay safe,
Rob

[SimBryant]

I had been told that roly polies were beneficial? They don't seem to be a problem in my garden. Slugs are another matter altogether!

[OrganicRawRootsFarm]

Awesome video... I dont get many peel bugs here... But good to know thanks for sharing

[Flyingbull]

Great video. I use the beer traps in my garden.

[bobwilliams]

The DE must be dry in order for it to work. A heavy dew fall or rain will eliminate it's effectiveness. you just have to reapply. I use it for ants and pill bugs here in mid-MO.

[dibalowen]

DE also runs or kills the worms so I don't like using it in my garden soil. I sprinkle it on leaves when necessary and a little in the coop. I am going to try that Sluggo Plus though.
Nice video.

[agirlnamedjewels]

OMG last year they destroyed my seedlings in my greenhouse. Everyone told me they are so beneficial. Sluggo worked the best!!! FYI I am in western Washington with lots of moisture.

[lisaschreiber]

what would you suggest for whitefly... I have just started noticing them two to three weeks ago. im in central Florida so it's still the hot, humid season here.

[v.j.l.]

DE also improves the soil. It contains various minerals.

[jenduke]

Does sluggo plus kill rolly poly eggs that are laid from adult's? How long is their cycle? 1 application or more?

[JasonTucker-zx]

I’m trying to figure out what to do…I’m behind in the season, just built my raised bed and was worried I hadn’t turned my leaves enough….well, the bottom foot or two is awesome and ready, but it must have brought every pill bug for miles.
I know what to do when the seedlings are under attack, but this compost was my main fill for the raised bed…

What shoes I do?

[creolelady]

I'm a beginner gardener and I just located your You tube garden tips. Where did you find the blue caps that was on the water bottles. My first try was a total disaster ( but I'm not going to stop) and I think it was the watering.