Safe Ways: How To Get Rid Of Rolly Pollies In Garden Naturally

Rolly pollies, also called pill bugs or woodlice, are common little creatures you find in your garden. People often ask, what attracts pill bugs? They are mostly drawn to places that are dark, damp, and have plenty of decaying plant stuff to eat. While they help break down dead things in the soil, sometimes they can become too many and start eating your living plants, causing woodlice garden damage. When this happens, you need safe, natural pill bug control. This guide will show you how to use organic sow bug removal methods to keep their numbers down without using harsh chemicals, focusing on controlling garden pests naturally.

How To Get Rid Of Rolly Pollies In Garden Naturally
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Fathoming Rolly Pollies

What exactly are these little gray bugs that curl into a ball when you touch them? They are not actually insects. Rolly pollies belong to a group called crustaceans, just like crabs and lobsters. They are land-dwelling crustaceans.

You can easily identify garden woodlice. They have a hard, segmented shell covering their body. They have seven pairs of legs. Pill bugs (the true rolly pollies) can roll into a perfect ball to protect themselves. Sow bugs, which look very similar, are also called woodlice but cannot roll into a tight ball. They might try to roll but stay partly open. Both types like the same places and eat the same things in the garden.

Rolly pollies breathe through gills, which is why they need damp places to live. They hide under rocks, logs, mulch, and leaves during the day and come out at night to find food. Their main job in nature is to break down dead leaves and other plant matter, which helps make the soil better.

When Rolly Pollies Become a Problem

Most of the time, having some rolly pollies in your garden is fine. They are helpful decomposers. But sometimes, their population grows too big. This usually happens when conditions are perfect for them – lots of damp, dark places and plenty of decaying stuff to eat.

When there are too many rolly pollies and not enough dead plants, they might start eating living plants. Young seedlings, soft fruits like strawberries that touch the ground, and tender leaves are often targets. This is when you see woodlice garden damage. You might see chewed edges on leaves or holes in fruits. This is a sign that you need to take action for natural pill bug control.

They are also attracted to areas with a lot of organic mulch, especially if it stays wet. Overwatering your garden can also create the perfect wet home for them.

Safe Ways to Get Rid of Them

Dealing with too many rolly pollies in a garden should be done using methods that are safe for you, your pets, beneficial insects, and the environment. Eco-friendly garden pest control is the best way. You don’t want to harm the good bugs or pollute the soil and water. The goal is not to kill every single rolly polly, but to reduce their numbers to a point where they are not causing damage.

Here are some main ways to handle rolly pollies naturally:

Make Your Garden Less Appealing: Change the things that attract them.
Physically Remove Them: Catch them and move them or get rid of them.
Use Simple Barriers or Traps: Create things they cannot cross or places they will go into.
Welcome Helpful Animals: Bring in animals that eat rolly pollies.

These methods are part of controlling garden pests naturally and promoting a healthy garden.

Stopping Rolly Polly Problems Before They Start

The easiest way to handle rolly pollies is to prevent rolly polly infestation. Make your garden a less inviting place for large numbers of them.

Making It Less Wet

Rolly pollies need moisture to breathe. If your garden is too wet, you are creating a perfect home for them.

Water Early: Water your plants in the morning instead of the evening. This way, the sun can dry the soil surface before night comes, when rolly pollies are active.
Water at the Base: Aim water at the roots of the plants, not on the leaves or the whole soil surface. This keeps areas between plants drier.
Improve Soil: If your soil holds water for a long time, mix in some compost or other organic matter. This helps water drain away faster. Sandy soil drains quickly; clay soil holds water. Most gardens do well with a mix.
Check for Leaks: Make sure sprinklers or hoses aren’t leaking and making one spot constantly wet.

Cleaning Up Garden Mess

Rolly pollies hide under things during the day. Removing their hiding spots helps reduce their numbers.

Manage Mulch: Mulch is great for keeping soil moist and stopping weeds, but a very thick layer is a rolly polly hotel. Keep mulch layers to about 1-2 inches thick. Keep mulch a few inches away from the base of plant stems.
Remove Debris: Clear away old logs, bricks, stones, and piles of leaves or grass clippings near your garden beds. These are ideal hiding places.
Keep Plants Tidy: Trim lower leaves off plants that touch the ground, especially fruiting plants like tomatoes or squash. This improves airflow and reduces dampness and hiding spots right next to potential food.
Weed Often: Thick weeds can create a dense, damp cover that rolly pollies love. Keeping garden beds weeded helps.

By doing these things, you are changing the environment so it’s not as good for large groups of rolly pollies. This is a key part of natural pill bug control.

Simple Ways to Catch Rolly Pollies

If you already have a lot of rolly pollies, you can try catching them. This is part of organic sow bug removal.

Hand-Picking

For small areas or when you see a lot in one spot, you can simply pick them up by hand. Do this in the evening or at night with a flashlight when they are most active. You can drop them into a bucket of soapy water to get rid of them, or you can move them to your compost pile (away from your plants) where they can do their job breaking down material without bothering your crops.

Setting Easy Traps

You can make simple traps using common household items or garden materials. These traps work because they offer the dark, moist places that rolly pollies look for.

Here are some ideas for homemade remedies for pill bugs used as traps:

Melon Rinds: Place grapefruit, melon, or cantaloupe rinds cut-side down in the garden bed. Rolly pollies will crawl under them for shelter and to eat the fruit leftover. Check the rinds in the morning and collect the bugs gathered underneath.
Potato Halves: Cut a potato in half and scoop out a little of the inside. Place the cut side down on the soil. It works like a melon rind trap.
Wet Newspaper or Cardboard: Lay damp newspaper or pieces of cardboard on the soil surface overnight. Rolly pollies will hide underneath. In the morning, carefully lift the paper/cardboard and collect the bugs.
Shallow Dishes of Beer or Yeast Water: Sink a shallow dish (like a pie tin) into the soil so the rim is level with the ground. Fill it with a little beer or a mix of sugar, yeast, and water. Rolly pollies are attracted to the smell, fall in, and cannot get out. This also works well for slugs and snails.
Hollowed-Out Orange: Cut an orange in half, eat the inside, and place the rind halves upside down in the garden.

Check these traps daily, ideally in the morning, to collect the trapped bugs. Keep setting them out until you see fewer rolly pollies.

Using Natural Barriers

Some materials can act as barriers that rolly pollies do not like to cross.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE): This is a fine powder made from the fossilized remains of tiny water creatures. It feels soft to us, but to creatures with exoskeletons like rolly pollies, it’s very sharp. It scratches their outer layer, causing them to dry out and die. Sprinkle a thin line of food-grade DE around plants you want to protect. Be careful to use food-grade DE and avoid inhaling the dust. Also, DE can harm beneficial insects like ground beetles (which eat rolly pollies!) and pollinators, especially when wet. Use it sparingly and only where rolly polly damage is happening. Reapply after rain.
Copper Tape: Rolly pollies (and snails/slugs) get a small electrical shock from copper. You can place copper tape around the edges of raised beds or containers to keep them out.

These barriers can be effective for targeted protection of vulnerable plants.

Welcoming Animals That Help You

Nature has its own ways of keeping pests in check. Many animals like to eat rolly pollies. Encouraging these natural predators of pill bugs to visit your garden is a great eco-friendly garden pest control method.

Here are some helpful predators:

Ground Beetles: These dark, shiny beetles live on the ground and hunt insects, including rolly pollies. They are active at night.
Toads and Frogs: They eat many garden pests. A small pond or even a shallow dish of water kept topped up can attract them.
Birds: Some birds will eat rolly pollies, especially younger ones. Providing a bird bath and native plants for shelter can bring birds to your garden.
Spiders: Many spiders are generalist predators and will catch rolly pollies in their webs or hunt them down.
Centipedes: Some centipedes are predators and will eat other small creatures, including pill bugs. They move very fast and have many legs.
Shrews: These small mammals sometimes eat large numbers of insects and other invertebrates like rolly pollies.

To encourage these helpful animals, avoid using any pesticides, even organic ones that might harm them. Provide shelter, water, and a diverse environment with different types of plants. A healthy garden ecosystem naturally keeps many pest populations under control. This is a core idea behind controlling garden pests naturally.

More About Homemade and Natural Methods

Let’s look closer at some more homemade remedies for pill bugs and natural pill bug control strategies.

Soapy Water Spray (Use with Caution)

A very mild soap and water spray can harm soft-bodied insects, but it might also affect rolly pollies if it gets under their shell edges. However, this method is less reliable for hard-shelled pill bugs and can harm your plants or beneficial insects. It’s generally better to focus on the methods above like traps and habitat change, which are safer and more targeted for rolly pollies. Avoid using detergents or strong soaps. If you try this, use only a tiny amount of pure castile soap or insecticidal soap diluted in water, test on a small area first, and use only on affected plants, not all over.

Plant Choices

While rolly pollies are not picky when they are hungry, some plants are less likely to be eaten than others. Stronger, older plants are usually less vulnerable than tender seedlings. If you have recurring problems in one area, you might try planting less susceptible plants there, but this is less of a solution than controlling the rolly polly population itself.

Companion Planting (Less Direct, But Helps Ecosystem)

Planting a variety of plants helps create a balanced ecosystem. Some plants can attract beneficial insects that might indirectly help control pests, or they might simply make the garden healthier. While there aren’t specific “rolly polly repelling” plants known to be very effective, a diverse garden is generally more resistant to large pest outbreaks.

Table: Natural Methods Quick Guide

Here is a quick look at some natural methods:

Method	How it Works	Best Use	Notes
Reduce Moisture	Makes garden less suitable home	Prevention, Long-term control	Water correctly, improve drainage
Clean Up Debris	Removes hiding spots	Prevention, Reduces existing population	Manage mulch, clear leaves/logs
Hand-Picking	Directly removes bugs	Small infestations, Targeted removal	Do it at night with a light, Drop into soapy water or relocate
Melon/Potato Traps	Attracts bugs to a hiding/food spot	Reduces existing population, Monitoring	Check daily, Easy to make
Beer/Yeast Trap	Attracts and drowns bugs	Reduces existing population, Also gets slugs	Sink dish to ground level, Keep refilled
Diatomaceous Earth	Dries out bugs by scratching shell	Targeted protection for specific plants	Use food-grade, Apply when dry, Can harm beneficials, Use sparingly
Copper Barrier	Repels bugs with mild shock	Protecting raised beds/containers	Can be costly for large areas
Encourage Predators	Natural population control	Long-term, Ecosystem health	Avoid pesticides, Provide water/shelter for birds, toads, beetles

These methods offer safe ways for organic sow bug removal and natural pill bug control.

Keeping Your Garden Healthy for the Long Term

Controlling garden pests naturally is not just about getting rid of bugs; it’s about creating a healthy environment where pests are less likely to become a big problem.

Healthy Soil: Soil full of good microbes and nutrients grows strong plants. Strong plants can better handle a little bit of pest damage. Add compost regularly to improve soil structure and health.
Right Plant, Right Place: Put plants where they will grow best. A plant that is stressed because it doesn’t get enough sun, water, or the right soil is more likely to be attacked by pests.
Diversity: Plant many different types of plants. This helps attract a wider range of insects and animals, making the ecosystem more balanced. If you have only one type of plant, pests that like that plant can multiply very quickly.
Watch Your Garden: Spend time in your garden. Look at your plants often. If you see signs of damage or lots of rolly pollies, you can act quickly before it becomes a major woodlice garden damage issue. Early action is key in natural pill bug control.

Building a garden that supports natural predators of pill bugs and uses eco-friendly garden pest control methods takes time, but it leads to a more resilient and easier-to-manage garden in the long run. You rely on nature’s balance instead of constant intervention.

When Are There Too Many?

How do you know if you have too many rolly pollies? A few here and there is normal and healthy. You have too many when you start seeing damage on your healthy, living plants. Especially look at young seedlings, soft fruits like strawberries touching the ground, or tender new leaves. If you see significant chewing on these parts, and you find many rolly pollies hiding nearby, then their population is too high for your garden to handle naturally at that moment. That’s when you start using the physical removal and trapping methods alongside prevention.

What NOT To Do

When focusing on safe ways to get rid of rolly pollies naturally, it’s important to know what to avoid.

Chemical Pesticides: These sprays or granules kill many insects, not just rolly pollies. They kill the beneficial insects (like ground beetles) that eat rolly pollies, earthworms that improve your soil, and pollinators like bees and butterflies. They can also be harmful to pets, people, and wildlife, and can contaminate soil and water. Chemical pesticides disrupt the natural balance and can lead to bigger pest problems later.
Overuse of Even Natural Products: Even natural products like some insecticidal soaps or large amounts of diatomaceous earth should be used carefully and only when needed. They can still harm good bugs. Focus on prevention and cultural methods first.
Panicking: Seeing some bugs is normal. A healthy garden has bugs. Don’t aim to have zero pests, but to have a balanced system where pests are not causing significant harm.

Remember, the goal of natural pill bug control and organic sow bug removal is to reduce their numbers and protect your plants, not to remove them entirely from the ecosystem.

FAQ Section

Here are some common questions about rolly pollies in the garden.

Q: Are rolly pollies good or bad for the garden?

A: Rolly pollies are both! They are good because they help break down dead plant material, making the soil better. They become bad when their population gets too large and they start eating living plants, especially young or soft ones.

Q: What’s the difference between a pill bug and a sow bug?

A: They look very much alike (both are types of woodlice), but true pill bugs can roll completely into a ball when scared, while sow bugs cannot. They usually just stay flat or curl slightly. Both cause similar damage and are controlled in the same natural ways.

Q: Why do I suddenly have so many rolly pollies?

A: You likely have conditions they love: lots of moisture, damp places to hide (like under mulch or leaves), and plenty of food (dead or sometimes living plants). Heavy rain, overwatering, or thick layers of wet mulch can cause their numbers to explode.

Q: Will removing mulch get rid of them?

A: Reducing the thickness of mulch (keeping it 1-2 inches) and keeping it away from plant stems will help a lot by making the area drier and reducing hiding spots. Removing all mulch isn’t usually necessary or good for the garden (mulch helps soil). The key is managing it well.

Q: Can coffee grounds repel rolly pollies?

A: While coffee grounds are sometimes suggested as a repellent for various pests, there’s not strong evidence that they effectively repel rolly pollies. Improving drainage and removing hiding spots are much more proven methods for natural pill bug control.

Q: Is diatomaceous earth safe to use?

A: Food-grade diatomaceous earth is a natural product, but it can still be harmful. Avoid breathing the dust. It can also harm beneficial insects. Use it carefully and only where needed as a targeted barrier, not all over your garden. It works best when dry.

Q: How long does it take for natural methods to work?

A: Prevention methods work over time by making the garden less appealing. Trapping and hand-picking can reduce numbers quickly in specific areas. Encouraging predators is a long-term strategy for overall garden balance. You might need to use a combination of methods for a while to see a big difference.

Wrapping It Up: Safe, Natural, and Effective

Dealing with too many rolly pollies in your garden is possible without resorting to harsh chemicals. By understanding what attracts pill bugs and taking simple steps to modify their environment, you can greatly reduce their numbers.

Focus on these key natural strategies:

Control moisture levels by watering correctly and improving soil drainage.
Remove hiding spots like excess mulch, leaf piles, and garden debris.
Use easy homemade remedies for pill bugs like traps to catch and remove them.
Welcome natural predators of pill bugs like ground beetles, toads, and birds into your garden.

These eco-friendly garden pest control methods promote a healthy garden ecosystem. They are safe for your family, pets, and the environment. By focusing on prevention and using targeted organic sow bug removal techniques when needed, you can protect your plants from woodlice garden damage and enjoy a thriving garden using only natural pill bug control strategies. It’s all about finding balance and controlling garden pests naturally. Your garden (and the planet) will thank you.