Woodlouse (Sow Bug or Pill Bug)

Armadillidium Vulgare

Appearance

• Less than an inch long.

• Thorax has 7 pairs of legs and abdomen has 6 pairs of false legs.

• The color varies, but commonly slate grey.

Lifecycle

• Females carry the eggs attached to the underside of the body until the young hatch.

• One or two generations per year.

Habits

• In damp properties they will breed in decaying timbers and other organic debris.

• Live under stones in cool damp locations. Adults live for up to 2 years.

• Can invade properties when favored habitat either dries out or becomes flooded.

• Harmless, although can be objectionable in large numbers.

• Feeding - Decaying vegetation and some living plants.

• Pill bugs are eaten by many animals. Their main protection is rolling into a tight balls.

• They do not bite.