March 10, 2016
Pill bugs are seldom a
problem, but when they are they can be devastating.
These guys are digesters of
compost and as long as there is moisture and compost they are pretty happy.
This keeps them away from seedlings.
They are built like little
armadillos and are not affected by much. Unlike many other bugs they can live
up to 2 years. In northern latitudes they have 2 to 3 broods a year consisting
of 30 to 40 young (I suspect in the south these numbers are only a start).This
can make for some huge populations. And they are not a problem as long as there
is moisture and compost.
Due to the dryness and a
rather mild winter this year, they have remained active all winter, especially
under my fabric. This year is shaping up to be like it was in 2011 which was a
dry year. Just because it is dry does not make these guys go away. When they
have no compost they turn to plants. Here lies the problem with pill bugs.
I really have not found
anything that distracts them and because they are well armored they are
impervious to most organic sprays.
They like freshly germinated
seeds and I have had them girdle 4 inch tall beans. The beans then break off at
ground level. Other seedlings are munched off as they emerge leaving no trace.
Probably my best defense is
to prepare a bed and let it really dry out for many days with the hopes that
these guys move to wetter areas of the garden. If I do a seed bed for
transplants I will sow the seeds and then cover it with fabric. The edge is
buried so they cannot get underneath to the germinating seed. With beans I hope they get up in size so that
the pill bugs are not a problem.
Traps give the impression
that the gardener is doing something to combat them. A couple of these traps
are: lay a board on the ground by the bed and during the day lift the board to
dispatch them. The other is to bury a jar up to its rim with an inch of water
that yeast has been added to. I have had pint jars get close to filled up and
not feel like the pill bugs are being controlled. As I mentioned they are long
lived and can have huge populations. Who hasn’t lifted a board to see the
ground covered with them?
Usually what happens is that
we get some moisture and these guys go back to doing what they do so well;
digesting compost.
Questions? I can be contacted at markdirtfarmer@gmail.com. Or more
garden notes at redwagonfarm.blogsot.com
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