How To Get Rid Of Rolly Pollies In Garden: Your Guide

Do rolly pollies harm my garden? While rolly pollies (also known as armadillo bugs, pill bugs, and sowbugs) can sometimes nibble on tender seedlings or soft fruits, they are generally considered beneficial garden helpers. They primarily feed on decaying organic matter, helping to break it down and enrich your soil.

If you’re dealing with an overwhelming rolly polly infestation, or if they are causing noticeable damage to your plants, this guide will walk you through effective rolly polly control methods. We’ll cover everything from identifying the issue to implementing natural pest control solutions and practicing good garden cleanup. The goal is to achieve balance, allowing these little creatures to do their beneficial work without becoming a nuisance.

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What Are Rolly Pollies, Anyway?

Rolly pollies are fascinating little creatures. They are not insects but rather crustaceans, more closely related to shrimp and lobsters than to ants or beetles. They belong to the order Isopoda, and the most common types found in gardens are the pill bugs and sowbugs.

• Pill Bugs: These are the ones that can roll up into a tight ball when disturbed. This defensive behavior is why they earned the “rolly polly” nickname.
• Sowbugs: Sowbugs also have segmented bodies, but they typically do not roll into a ball. They often have tail-like appendages that are visible.

Both pill bugs and sowbugs are detritivores, meaning they eat dead and decaying plant and animal matter. This makes them valuable decomposers in your garden ecosystem. They help turn dead leaves, rotting wood, and other organic debris into nutrient-rich compost that your plants can use.

When Do Rolly Pollies Become a Problem?

While rolly pollies are generally helpful, certain conditions can lead to a rolly polly infestation that warrants garden pest removal. This usually happens when their preferred habitat becomes too abundant or when other food sources are scarce.

You might consider them a problem if you notice:

• Damage to Seedlings: Young, tender seedlings with soft leaves are the most vulnerable to rolly polly feeding.
• Damage to Soft Fruits: Ripe or overripe fruits lying on the ground can attract rolly pollies.
• Overwhelming Numbers: Seeing hundreds of them clustered together can be alarming, even if they aren’t causing significant damage.

The key is to assess the situation. A few rolly pollies are a good thing. A massive swarm chewing through your young plants is not.

Why Are Rolly Pollies in My Garden? Deciphering Their Habitat Needs

To effectively manage rolly polly control, it’s crucial to understand what attracts them. Rolly pollies thrive in moist, dark environments. They need a certain level of humidity to breathe because they respire through gill-like structures on their undersides.

Their favorite spots include:

• Damp Soil: Areas with consistently wet soil are ideal.
• Leaf Litter: Piles of fallen leaves provide shelter and food.
• Mulch: Thick layers of organic mulch, especially if kept consistently damp.
• Rotting Wood: Decaying logs, stumps, and damp cardboard.
• Under Rocks and Debris: Anything that offers a dark, humid hiding place.
• Cracks and Crevices: In foundations, retaining walls, or planters.

If your garden provides these conditions in excess, you’re likely to see more rolly pollies.

How To Get Rid Of Rolly Pollies: A Multi-Pronged Approach

Getting rid of rolly pollies, or rather, managing their population, involves a combination of environmental modification and, if necessary, targeted removal. Natural pest control methods are often the most effective and environmentally friendly.

1. Habitat Modification: Making Your Garden Less Appealing

The most sustainable way to control sowbugs and pill bugs is to make your garden a less hospitable place for them. This means reducing moisture and eliminating hiding spots.

• Reduce Moisture:

  • Water Wisely: Water your garden in the morning so that the soil surface can dry out by evening. Avoid overwatering.
  • Improve Drainage: Ensure your garden beds have good drainage. Amend heavy clay soils with compost.
  • Remove Standing Water: Empty any containers that collect water.

• Eliminate Hiding Places:

  • Clear Debris: Regularly remove piles of leaves, grass clippings, and other organic debris from around plants, especially near the base.
  • Manage Mulch: Keep mulch a few inches away from the stems of plants. Avoid overly thick layers of mulch.
  • Remove Rotting Materials: Dispose of rotting wood, old boards, and damp cardboard.
  • Check Planters and Pots: Don’t let potted plants sit directly on damp soil. Elevate them slightly.
  • Seal Cracks: Seal any cracks in foundations or walls where they might be seeking shelter.

2. Physical Removal: Hands-On Tactics

Sometimes, you just need to get them out of there.

• The Newspaper Trap: This is a classic natural pest control method.

  1. Dampen a few sheets of newspaper.
  2. Roll them up and place them in areas where you see a lot of rolly pollies.
  3. Leave them overnight.
  4. In the morning, the rolly pollies will have gathered in the damp paper, seeking shelter.
  5. Carefully pick up the newspaper and dispose of the rolly pollies (e.g., relocate them to a compost pile far from your garden, or discard them).

• The Citrus Trap:

  1. Cut a grapefruit or orange in half.
  2. Scoop out some of the flesh, leaving the rind intact.
  3. Place the hollowed-out halves upside down in the garden.
  4. Rolly pollies are attracted to the moist, decaying fruit.
  5. Check the traps daily and dispose of the collected rolly pollies.

• Handpicking: If you only see a few, simply pick them up by hand and relocate them. This is most effective in the early morning or evening when they are more active.

3. Natural Deterrents and Repellents

While not always a primary solution for a large infestation, some natural substances can deter rolly pollies.

• Diatomaceous Earth (Food Grade): This is a fine powder made from fossilized aquatic organisms. It works by abrading the rolly pollies’ exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate.

  • Application: Sprinkle a thin layer around affected plants or garden beds.
  • Caution: It is most effective when dry. Reapply after rain. It can also harm beneficial insects, so use it sparingly and strategically.

• Coffee Grounds: Some gardeners find that sprinkling used coffee grounds around plants can deter rolly pollies. The acidity and texture might be unappealing.

• Boric Acid (Use with Extreme Caution): Boric acid can be toxic to rolly pollies. However, it can also be harmful to pets and children, and it can damage beneficial soil organisms. If you choose to use it, apply it very sparingly in targeted areas where rolly pollies are a significant problem and keep it away from plants and pets. This is a last resort and not typically recommended for natural pest control.

4. Biological Control: Encouraging Natural Predators

A healthy garden ecosystem often has natural predators that help keep rolly polly populations in check.

• Birds: Many birds enjoy eating rolly pollies. Encourage birds to visit your garden by providing bird baths and native plants.
• Frogs and Toads: These amphibians are excellent insectivores and will happily munch on rolly pollies.
• Ground Beetles: These beneficial insects are voracious predators of many garden pests, including rolly pollies.

To encourage these predators, avoid broad-spectrum pesticides that can harm them.

5. Dealing with Rolly Polly Infestations: When to Escalate

If you have a severe rolly polly infestation and the above methods aren’t sufficient, you might consider more direct measures.

• Insecticides (Use as a Last Resort): Chemical insecticides are generally not recommended for natural pest control and can harm beneficial insects and soil life. If you must use them, choose products specifically labeled for pill bugs or sowbugs and apply them carefully according to the instructions, targeting only the affected areas. Always prioritize safer, natural methods first.

Garden Cleanup: The Foundation of Pest Management

Effective garden cleanup is fundamental to managing rolly pollies and preventing future problems. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating a less hospitable environment for unwanted guests.

• Seasonal Cleanup:

  • Fall: As temperatures drop, rolly pollies will seek overwintering spots. Rake up fallen leaves, especially those near the house or garden beds. Remove dead plant material.
  • Spring: Before new growth emerges, clear away any accumulated debris from the previous year.

• Regular Maintenance:

  • Weeding: Keep your garden beds free of weeds, which can provide additional hiding places and moisture retention.
  • Pruning: Trim back plants that are touching the ground or house, reducing potential entry points and damp areas.
  • Compost Pile Management: While compost piles are great for breaking down organic matter, they can also be prime rolly polly real estate. If your compost pile is too close to your garden and teeming with them, consider relocating it or turning it more frequently to expose them.

Protecting Your Plants: Specific Strategies

Here are some specific actions you can take to protect your plants from rolly polly damage.

Seedlings and Young Plants

• Barriers: Create physical barriers around vulnerable seedlings. You can use:

  • Copper Tape: Rolly pollies dislike crawling over copper.
  • Eggshells: Crushed eggshells can create a prickly barrier.
  • Plastic Collars: Cut plastic bottles or cardboard tubes and place them around the base of seedlings.

• Repellent Sprays: A diluted solution of dish soap and water can sometimes deter them, but use sparingly as it can also harm plants if too strong.

Fruits and Vegetables

• Harvest Promptly: Pick ripe fruits and vegetables as soon as they are ready to avoid attracting rolly pollies.
• Elevate Harvests: If you leave harvested produce on the ground, elevate it on a raised surface.

When to Leave Them Be

It’s important to remember that rolly pollies are not always the bad guys. They are an integral part of the soil ecosystem. Before resorting to drastic measures, observe your garden.

• Assess the Damage: Is the damage significant and widespread, or is it minimal and isolated?
• Consider the Numbers: Are there just a few, or are they present in overwhelming numbers?
• Identify the Cause: Is your garden unusually damp? Are there excessive amounts of decaying organic matter?

Often, addressing the underlying cause – excess moisture or debris – is enough to bring the rolly polly population back into balance without harming these beneficial decomposers.

Summary of Rolly Polly Control Methods

Here’s a quick reference table for your rolly polly control strategies:

Method	Description	Best For
Habitat Modification	Reduce moisture, clear debris, manage mulch, remove hiding spots.	Prevention and long-term population management.
Newspaper Trap	Dampened newspaper rolled up to attract and collect rolly pollies.	Active removal of moderate populations.
Citrus Trap	Hollowed grapefruit/orange halves placed as bait.	Active removal, especially for targeting specific areas.
Handpicking	Manually removing rolly pollies from plants or the garden.	Small numbers or early detection.
Diatomaceous Earth	Food-grade DE sprinkled around plants to dehydrate them.	Deterrent and mild control, needs dry conditions.
Encourage Predators	Attract birds, frogs, toads, and ground beetles.	Ecosystem balance, long-term natural control.
Barriers	Copper tape, eggshells, or plastic collars around seedlings.	Protecting vulnerable young plants.
Prompt Harvesting	Harvesting fruits and vegetables when ripe.	Preventing damage to produce.
Chemical Insecticides	Last resort, targeted application, potential harm to beneficials.	Severe infestations where other methods fail.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can rolly pollies hurt my plants?
A1: Yes, while primarily decomposers, rolly pollies (armadillo bugs, pill bugs, sowbugs) can sometimes nibble on tender seedlings or soft, ripening fruits if other food sources are scarce or their population is very high.

Q2: Are rolly pollies good for the garden?
A2: Absolutely! Rolly pollies are excellent decomposers. They break down dead leaves, decaying wood, and other organic matter, turning it into nutrients that enrich your soil. They are beneficial for garden pest removal of dead material.

Q3: How can I get rid of a rolly polly infestation naturally?
A3: To get rid of pill bugs and control sowbugs naturally, focus on habitat modification. Reduce moisture, clear away leaf litter and debris, and use natural traps like damp newspaper or citrus halves. Practicing good garden cleanup is key.

Q4: What is the best way to deter rolly pollies?
A4: The best way to deter rolly pollies is to make your garden less inviting. This means ensuring good drainage, watering in the morning, keeping mulch away from plant stems, and removing hiding places like piles of leaves or rotting wood.

Q5: Is diatomaceous earth effective against rolly pollies?
A5: Yes, food-grade diatomaceous earth can be effective. When applied to dry surfaces, its sharp particles abrade the rolly pollies’ exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate. Reapplication is needed after rain.

Q6: Should I be worried if I see a lot of rolly pollies?
A6: Seeing a lot of rolly pollies generally indicates a moist environment and plenty of decaying organic matter. While they are beneficial, a very large number might suggest they could start damaging plants. Address the excess moisture or debris first.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively manage rolly polly control and maintain a healthy, balanced garden. Remember that a few armadillo bugs, pill bugs, or sowbugs are a sign of a healthy ecosystem, and the goal is balance, not eradication.