Are doodlebugs (roly polys) harmful to my garden? I have what seems like thousands of them all in my compost, around my plants, gathering on the wood all over my raised beds....EVERYWHERE!!! Are they harmless? Please say yes!!!
Anna
I have roly polies all through my compost bin. I occasionally find them elsewhere, but they seem to prefer the compost bin.
Do you have a compost bin / heap for them? Maybe you can "herd" them over there by lifting some onto a piece of paper and moving them. The others may follow.
I don't worry when I find them. Maybe I should?
Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9
Do you have a compost bin / heap for them? Maybe you can "herd" them over there by lifting some onto a piece of paper and moving them. The others may follow.
I don't worry when I find them. Maybe I should?
Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9
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rainbowgardener
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I never heard them called that. I've always called them sow bugs or pillbugs. They are in the compost because they are detritovores, part of the cycle of breaking down organic material.
"Sowbugs and pillbugs are scavengers and feed mainly on decaying organic matter. They occasionally feed on young plants but the damage inflicted is seldom significant. Sowbugs and pillbugs thrive only in areas of high moisture, and tend to remain hidden under objects during the day. Around buildings they are common under mulch, compost, boards, stones, flower pots, and other items resting on damp ground. Another frequent hiding place is behind the grass edge adjoining sidewalks and foundations."
https://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef439.asp
"Sowbugs and pillbugs are scavengers and feed mainly on decaying organic matter. They occasionally feed on young plants but the damage inflicted is seldom significant. Sowbugs and pillbugs thrive only in areas of high moisture, and tend to remain hidden under objects during the day. Around buildings they are common under mulch, compost, boards, stones, flower pots, and other items resting on damp ground. Another frequent hiding place is behind the grass edge adjoining sidewalks and foundations."
https://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef439.asp
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The Helpful Gardener
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hendi_alex
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doodle bugs live in those cone shaped depressions in loose soil. Most folks might call them ant lions, because they make a quick feast on any ant that tumbles down the sides or its lair.
Roly polies or pill bugs are the cute little grey bugs that love cool, damp, dark places. I think that they feed on my strawberries from time to time, but that could only be after some other critter munches or after a moldy spot appears. We have many, many pill bugs in the yard, and they seem to cause no major problem with anything. Wish I could say the same about the fire ants, squash bugs, corn ear worms, etc.
Roly polies or pill bugs are the cute little grey bugs that love cool, damp, dark places. I think that they feed on my strawberries from time to time, but that could only be after some other critter munches or after a moldy spot appears. We have many, many pill bugs in the yard, and they seem to cause no major problem with anything. Wish I could say the same about the fire ants, squash bugs, corn ear worms, etc.
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Jerseygardengirl
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