Sowbugs
Sowbug Profile
| Feature | Details |
| Scientific Name | Oniscus asellus |
| Size | Approx. 10mm to 15mm (1/2 inch) |
| Classification | Crustaceans (more closely related to shrimp than insects) |
Key Identification
Sowbugs are frequently confused with Pillbugs, but there are two distinct differences:
- The “Tail”: Sowbugs have two small, tail-like appendages sticking out from the rear of their bodies.
- The “Flat” Factor: Unlike Pillbugs, Sowbugs cannot roll into a perfect ball. If you touch one and it stays flat or tries to scurry away rather than rolling up, it’s a Sowbug.
- Body Texture: They have a slate-grey, armored exoskeleton that looks like overlapping plates or “scales.”
- Moisture Dependency: Because they breathe through gill-like structures, they must stay in damp environments or they will literally dehydrate and die.
About Sowbugs in Florida
Sowbugs are nature’s “composters.” They live in Florida’s mulch beds, under flower pots, and beneath decaying leaf litter. They are mostly nocturnal and spend their days hiding from the intense Florida sun to stay moist.
When you find them inside your home, it is usually an accident. They often crawl under door sweeps or through sliding glass door tracks after a heavy rain. Because our air-conditioned interiors are so dry, you will often find them dead and “crunchy” just a few feet from the doorway they used to enter.
How to Treat
Sowbug management is 90% “Environment Control” and 10% “Barriers.”
- Moisture Remediation: We help you identify why they are attracted to your foundation. This often involves fixing leaky outdoor spigots, adjusting sprinkler heads that hit the house, or clearing clogged gutters.
- Perimeter Granule Application: We apply a water-resistant granular barrier to mulch and pine straw beds. This reduces the population at the source.
- Mechanical Exclusion: Check the “seal” of your home. Replacing a worn-out door sweep on a side garage door can often solve a sowbug problem overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions on Sowbugs
Are sowbugs dangerous to my pets or plants?
Sowbugs are harmless to humans and pets. In the garden, they mostly eat decaying matter, though they can occasionally nibble on very young seedlings or strawberries that are touching the damp ground.
Why do I keep finding dead ones in my hallway?
Sowbugs cannot survive for more than a day or two in the dry air of a Florida home. If you are finding dead ones, it means they are successfully entering, but the environment inside is killing them. We focus on the entry point they are using.
Do sowbugs indicate a termite problem?
Not directly. However, both sowbugs and termites are attracted to moisture and decaying wood. If you have a high population of sowbugs near your foundation, it’s a sign that the moisture levels are high enough to potentially attract more destructive pests like termites.
Our Orlando Service Locations:
- Orlando
- Clermont
- Apopka
- Windermere
- St. Cloud
- Winter Garden
- Lake Buena Vista
- Kissimmee
- Sanford
- Davenport
- Oakland
- Minneola
- Lake Nona
- Ocoee
- Longwood
- Lake Mary
- Oviedo
- Winter Park
- Altamonte Springs
Our Southwest, FL Service Locations:
- Fort Myers
- Cape Coral
- Naples
- Babcock Ranch
- Lehigh Acres
- Ave Maria
- Estero
- Bonita Springs
- Marco Island
- Sanibel Island
