Pill Bugs in Florida: What They Eat and How to Keep Them Out

Pill bugs, often called roly-polies, are land-dwelling crustaceans, not insects. They feed mainly on decaying leaves and other plant matter in damp outdoor cover. They may occasionally nibble seedlings or roots and can wander into homes. If you find them inside, reduce nearby moisture and shelter, then close easy entry gaps.

How can you tell a pill bug from a sowbug?

Both are terrestrial crustaceans in the isopod group. A pill bug curls into a ball when disturbed. A sowbug cannot roll up and has two tail-like appendages at the rear. They favor similar damp places, so the same basic yard advice applies to either one.

What do pill bugs eat in a garden?

They feed mostly on dead leaves and other decaying plant material, helping break down yard debris. They may also chew tender seedlings or roots. If you find pill bugs beside damaged plants, look under nearby mulch or leaf litter after dark, when they are active. Their presence alone does not prove they caused the damage.

If you are also seeing chewed garden plants, our South Florida guide to snail and slug damage covers those different garden pests.

Why are pill bugs showing up inside?

Pill bugs need humid conditions. During the day, they hide under mulch, fallen leaves, rocks, logs, and other damp cover. They are more active at night. If that shelter is close to the house, they may crawl inside through a floor-level crack or gap around a door or window.

They do not bite or sting people or pets, and they are not known to damage a home’s structure or belongings. One or two indoors are often accidental visitors. If you keep seeing them, look for nearby wet leaf litter, rotting wood, dense mulch, and easy entry gaps. A sighting by itself does not prove there is a leak or a larger pest problem.

How can I keep pill bugs outside?

• Move damp debris away from the house. Clear leaf piles, grass clippings, boards, stones, and rotting wood near doors and the foundation. Thin dense mulch around entry points.
• Reduce excess moisture. Fix irrigation or plumbing leaks, avoid overwatering, and address areas that stay wet.
• Close entry gaps. Seal floor-level cracks and gaps around doors and windows; maintain door sweeps and screens.
• Remove indoor strays. Sweep or vacuum the ones you find, then check nearby outdoor cover and moisture.

When should I ask for help?

If pill bugs keep appearing inside after you reduce damp cover and close obvious gaps, note where you find them and ask a pest professional to check for a persistent wet spot or overlooked entry route. Outdoor pill bugs are common; focus on them when they are damaging tender plants or entering the home.