Pill Bug

Pill bugs or sow bugs (commonly called roly-polies) are small, oval-shaped, crustaceans with hard, segmented exoskeletons that allow them to roll into a ball when threatened. They are typically gray or brown and thrive in moist, dark environments, feeding on decaying organic matter.

Identification: Small, greyish-brown, segmented bugs that roll into a ball when disturbed.

Symptoms:

• While roly-polies primarily feed on decaying plant matter, they can occasionally feed on tender cannabis roots, seedlings, or low-lying leaves if they are plentiful in your grow area.

• Signs of damage include small, irregular holes in young leaves and damaged root tips, especially in overly moist conditions.

Control:

• Beneficial Nematodes: Apply Steinernema feltiae or Heterorhabditis bacteriophora to the soil to target roly-poly larvae, helping to reduce the population.

• Neem Oil Drench: Water the soil with a neem oil solution to create an inhospitable environment for pill bugs, driving them away from plant roots.

• Diatomaceous Earth (DE): Sprinkle DE around the base of plants and in the grow area. This creates a barrier that damages the exoskeleton of pill bugs, causing them to dehydrate and die.

• Reduce Moisture: Roly-polies thrive in moist environments. Reduce the humidity and avoid overwatering to make your grow space less appealing to them.

• Physical Removal: Hand-pick roly-polies and remove them from the grow area, especially at night when they are most active.

• Companion Plants: Use rosemary or lavender as companion plants around your cannabis. These plants help to repel roly-polies naturally.