Pillbugs Control

Pillbugs are many pests which are drawn to areas where moisture accumulates. Moisture allows many things to thrive; it is the basic ingredient for life. Besides the thousands of microscopic organisms, many insects and other creatures will readily live where it is damp. Among these creatures are the pillbug and sowbug.

Pillbugs and sowbugs are actually different pests. You know these animals; they are small, about 1/2" to 3/4" in length, gray in color and oval. They live under rocks, logs, mulch, wood chips and all around the home where it is damp, dark and moist. Generally you may see hundreds or thousands of them emerge when you attempt to do some gardening and begin to disturb the soil. Though generally not a destructive pest, both sowbugs and pillbugs will readily move under slabs, into doorways and window frames which are accumulating moisture. Moisture may form due to leaks or condensation and with this moisture comes mold, mildew and algae - the basic food stuff of these pests.

Established colonies of sowbugs and pillbugs will move inside when moisture levels are too high or to seek relief from both cold or heat. It is when they migrate into living areas that people first notice just how bad of a problem they have.

Both pillbugs and sowbugs will inhabit the same area. They are hard to tell apart; the pillbug is able to roll into a round ball and the sowbug can only "hump" up not able to achieve the round defensive position the pillbug can. Both will bear young at least twice a year and carry them until the young are able to keep up with the rest of the colony.

Though the young may leave mother from time to time, it is not uncommon for them to come back and allow her to bare there burden for as long as she can. As food supplies dwindle, colonies will relocate and forage to adjacent areas that meet dietary needs. Most feeding will be done during the night and due to their behavior traits, many people refer to them as "water bugs".

Controlling these isopods should be done in a two phase format.

First, try to identify moisture problems. If you have a leaky window, roof or bad caulking, get it fixed. This constant supply of water will allow mold and algae to grow as well as take away the best impact chemical treatments will have. In effect the moisture will allow the pest to be ever present - the ones you kill will quickly be replaced by ones seeking shelter and food. If the local conditions are OK but you have a lot of mulch, rock, pine straw, wood chips or other objects around the perimeter of the home, expect to have some activity by both pillbugs and sowbugs.

However, there are several treatments that can be done to help minimize those that find their way into your home.

First, you must focus on the outside. This is where they start and if you diminish these numbers you will ultimately eliminate the ones finding their way inside. Apply TALSTAR GRANULES to all the mulch beds and turf around the home. Talstar is slow to act but will last 2-3 months per application. Use about 1 lb on each side of the home applying it over a 10 foot band. This "zone" will be pest free since Talstar will control just about any pest. Do this treatment quarterly or as needed. Use a SCATTERBOX to do the application. This will allow for consistent and complete coverage.

Next, spray the foundation with TALSTAR. This Flowable Concentrate stays on the surface of these areas for longer periods of time than emulsifiable concentrates. And don't waste your time with ready to use products which use diazinon or dursban as the active ingredient - they won't work as well as the Talstar. Use one of our PUMP SPRAYERS to apply the Talstar and be sure to treat a band on the foundation of the home coming up at least 3 feet high. This insures there will be plenty of treated surface area over which they will not be able to crawl. Spray 1 foot out from the home on top of the turf or mulch as well, ending where the Talstar Granules will be active. Since mulch, siding and plants are where these pests like to live, treatment needs to address these locations around the structure. Do this at least once a month. When local activity has ceased, you may be able to go a little longer between treatments. If you have a lot of activity in the home, garage or basement, inside treatments will be necessary. Use the Talstar inside to treat baseboards. Be sure to keep children and pets away until the application dries.

If you feel they are nesting in wall voids or difficult to treat cracks and crevices, get some BAYGON AEROSOL. This product comes with a tube which allows treatments for hard to reach cracks and crevices. The aerosol will penetrate deep where they are nesting. Baygon will kill them quickly and prevent new ones from entering. When combined with outside treatments you will be able to eliminate any activity in the home. Sowbugs and pillbugs can become a problem in and around the home. Though they don't cause major damage, they can be a pest. Use Talstar Granules and Talstar Flowable outside to kill off local infestations. Eliminate moisture for long term control. Treat cracks and crevices inside with Baygon Aerosol to quickly control any which are nesting in the home.