Pill Bugs in Alabama
Pill bugs — the "roly-polies" kids love — turn into a nuisance when they migrate into garages, basements, and ground-floor rooms. Here’s how to keep them outside.
How to identify pill bugs
Pill bugs are dark gray, oval, about 1/4"–1/2" long, with a segmented, armored back, and they roll into a tight ball when disturbed (sow bugs, their close cousins, cannot roll). They’re actually land crustaceans, not insects.
Behavior in Alabama
Pill bugs need constant moisture and live in mulch, leaf litter, under stones, and against damp foundations, feeding on decaying plant matter. They wander indoors when it’s wet outside or when their habitat dries, collecting in garages, basements, and entryways.
Why pill bugs are a problem
Signs of pill bugs activity
- Gray, armored bugs that roll into a ball
- Accumulation in garages, basements & door tracks
- Activity in damp mulch and under stones
- More common after rain or heavy watering
When they’re active
Most active in the warm, humid months and after rain; they push indoors when outdoor moisture swings.
How EnviroCare controls pill bugs
EnviroCare treats the foundation perimeter and mulch zones with EPA-registered products per label and flags the moisture and landscaping conditions that sustain pill bugs. Because they’re moisture-driven, pulling mulch back from the foundation greatly helps alongside treatment.
See our Pest Control service →Common questions
What’s the difference between a pill bug and a sow bug?
Both are land crustaceans, but pill bugs roll into a tight ball when touched and sow bugs cannot. Both are moisture pests handled the same way.
How do I keep roly-polies out of my garage?
They’re drawn to moisture. Pulling mulch back from the foundation, improving drainage, and exterior perimeter treatment together keep them outside.
Dealing with pill bugs? Let’s handle it.
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