Roly-poly (sowbug, pillbug) – Overabundance

Q: Are an overabundance of roly-poly bugs a problem?

A: These shrimp-kin are not usually a problem except when very young seedlings or transplants are present. They will chew on the stems and consume enough leaves to kill the plants.

I’ve taken to spraying my seedling beds with a water-based garden insecticide a few times before the plants grow tall enough to withstand sowbug feeding.

Rainy weather and very organic soil will exacerbate the problem.