April 3, 2017

It would be an understatement to say we are dry.  Back in 2011 we were quite dry too. This was the year that a garden critter that normally is not a problem became one. It looks like this critter is beginning to rear its head again due to the dryness.

This guy can be quite formidable because it is long lived. Up to eight years. Because it can live several years there can be many generations living at the same time. 

These guys are quite armored and look like little miniature armadillos. This armor serves them well.

In normal years, they will eat compost and are part of the chain that helps build soil fertility.

But when it is dry and they devour all the compost in the garden beds they then turn their attention towards germinating seedlings. This usually is a very through feasting.

There countless traps and baits that one can use to “try” and reduce their populations. I think most of these give the gardener the impression that he or she is doing something.

We must remember because these guys live for many years you can have several generations alive at the same time. This is very unusual for a garden pest. Most pests are short lived, maybe a year or less. This lies the problem with the control of pill bugs, roley poley’s, land shrimp or any other quaint name you might have for the.

Outside the garden, I have placed boards down and in the morning when the chickens are out they are devoured. But I do not dare to let a flock of chickens in my garden, the pill bugs would be the least of my worries.

To quote a phrase that is very appropriate for pill bugs “resistance is futile”. They have the numbers to back it up.

Instead of trying to battle an unwinnable war, I use exclusion or barriers that are known deterrents.

I will allow the bed to completely dry out for several days before planting. For seed beds, I will dig a trench around and bury the edge of fabric in this trench. I find using coffee grounds as a mulch over seeds does slow them down.

But most likely the thing that works best is being patient and hope for a rainstorm so they can go back to doing what they do best, digest compost.