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Woodlice
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Woodlice, unlike many other crustaceans, live on land rather
than in water, but they can only survive in moist conditions. They
live mainly on decaying vegetable matter, dead insects, fungi, and
occasionally on the leaves and roots of young plants. (Woodlice are
also known as pill-bugs or sow-bugs.)
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Where do woodlice come from?
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Why do they come indoors?
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Are woodlice harmful? >>
How can I get rid of them? >>
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Where do they come from?
You normally find woodlice outside where they can hide during
the day in cool, dark and damp places - under stones and flower
pots, in crevices, amongst dead and rotting vegetation etc.
Why do they come indoors?
Woodlice come indoors mainly during the winter and early spring,
usually searching for protection from the onset of cold weather.
They do not come indoors to breed, but there may be a colony of
woodlice near an entrance to the house.
Once woodlice find their way indoors, particularly in warm dry
rooms, they will die from water loss within a day or so. They may
survive, however, under sink units in kitchens and bathrooms for
some days, or even longer, particularly if they have access to food
debris.
Do they do any harm?
Woodlice are harmless, and despite their name, do not damage
wood. As described above, a small amount of harm may be caused to
young foliage. If disturbed, woodlice are particularly known to
curl up into a ball.
How can I get rid of them?
- Sealing entry points (draught excluders around doors and
windows, for example) can be tried, together with removing of other
potential shelters near to the house - flower pots etc.
- Alternatively, by warming up parts of the house where woodlice
have been found should help.
- Apply insecticide spray or dust to crevices or opening where
woodlice may be hiding, or to damp areas which cannot be properly
dried. This will discourage their presence.
Remember, for your own safety, follow manufacturers'
instructions when using insecticides