Flower beds and gardens bring an added dimension of beauty and life to Anaheim homes. Flowers in the yard produce a sweet smell and create a colorful outdoor experience. Unfortunately, our gorgeous gardens have a menacing arthropod that can cause harm and destruction: the sowbug.
You may have sowbugs if you see small bean-like brownish-grey creatures running across the ground on a dozen tiny legs. Although they appear harmless, these hard-shelled creatures can be wreaking havoc on your plants; therefore, you need the Anaheim pest control services of A-1 Bonded Termite.
The Differences Between Sowbugs And Pill Bugs
Pillbugs and sowbugs look like a mini-armadillo with their segmented, hard exoskeleton that consists of overlapping plates. Despite being similar in appearance, the following are the differences between the two bugs:
- Behavior: Sowbugs do not roll up into a ball like a pillbug when threatened.
- Appendages: At their rear end, sowbugs possess two tail-like appendages; pillbugs do not have any appendages.
- Body: Sowbugs have a flattened body, but the body of pillbugs is round.
Both kinds of these isopods are nocturnal, eat decaying matter, and can be found under stones, logs, leaf compost, and other damp areas outdoors.
Why Are Sowbugs Attracted To Your Garden?
Sowbugs (Oniscus spp.) are attracted to your Anaheim home due to the surrounding gardens and landscaped areas. Sowbugs in the garden feed on the following:
- Roots
- Vegetables
- Seedlings
- Fruits on the soil
- Leaves on the lower part of the plants
Sowbugs are related to lobsters, shrimp, and crabs and are part of the class crustacea. Because of their crustacean roots, sowbugs have gill-like breathing organs on the underside which require moisture to function; therefore, sowbugs like the high-moisture environment gardens and landscaped areas often provide.
Sowbugs in Anaheim are herbivores preferring fungi and bacteria on decaying vegetation, fruits, and roots. Sowbugs cause damage to the roots as they eat the microorganisms on them. One plant particularly susceptible to sowbugs is orchids.
How To Get Rid Of A Sowbug Infestation
Although they appear harmless, sowbugs can damage plants in gardens and landscaped areas. To get rid of sowbugs, do the following:
- Dispose of leaf piles
- Hang orchids off the ground
- Raise potted plants off the ground
- Remove stones, bricks, logs, and debris from the lawn
- Remove dead vegetation in the garden and landscaped areas
- Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed for maximum sunlight
Sowbugs in Anaheim can be a problem pest in your garden and lawn if you don't take precautions to stop an infestation before it starts.
Because of their high-moisture needs, sowbugs do not survive in dry areas of homes for long. However, they may come into a house seeking refuge from wet weather in potted plants. You may also find sowbugs in basements in Anaheim if they are not well-ventilated and have high humidity.
To keep them out of your home, seal cracks in the foundation, create a barrier between vegetation and the home; use a dehumidifier in the basement. If you find sowbugs in the bathroom (another favorite place in the house), dispose of them in an outdoor container.
Professional Removal Of A Sowbug Infestation In Anaheim
Following the recommendations above will help you reduce and control the existing sowbug population on your Anaheim property. To ensure a sowbug-free lawn, you will need the help of our professionals at A-1 Bonded Termite. Remember, sowbugs are not insects but are anthropods, and most store-bought treatments may not work on them. Our pest control experts will use environmentally safe remedies specifically tailored to remove anthropods. Contact us today, and let us ensure the safety of your fruits and vegetables from sowbugs.