Pill bugs, commonly called a roly poly, can roll up in a little ball when disturbed. The sow bug closely resembles the pill bug but cannot roll up in a ball. Both are grey in color and about ¼” to 5/8” long with a round top and a flat bottom.
These crustaceans aren’t insects, but are more closely related to shrimp and lobster, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that they can be found near moisture and cannot live long in dry conditions. They desire the moist areas in crawl spaces, basements, under rock and wood piles, under mulch and other areas near the foundation of structures that remain wet for long periods of time. They eat decaying plant material and young plants. They may start showing up inside your home during times of heavy rain or when the exterior is heavily infested. They will not live long indoors without a moisture source.
Pillbugs and Sowbugs are both covered under our Quarterly Pest Management Program.