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How to Get Rid of Pill Bugs

Lowe's Editorial Team

By Lowe's Editorial Team
Published February 13, 2025

Pill bugs are small gray creatures that are often found in gardens and damp places. While they don’t bite and are generally harmless, they can be a nuisance if their population increases as they feed on young plants. Learn how to get rid of pill bugs from your home using various DIY methods.

Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

Identifying Pill Bugs

  • These bugs are oval-shaped, gray or brown in color with seven pairs of legs.
  • They are about ¼ to ½ inch long.
  • Pill bugs are typically found in moist soil, under rocks, decaying wood, and mulch.
  • Unlike other insects, they do not bite, sting, or cause structural damage.

Common Spots for Pill Bug Infestation

  • Spotting multiple pill bugs inside your home, especially in basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms, or crawl spaces, is a clear sign of a moisture issue.
  • You might find pill bugs gathered near doors, windows, or small cracks in walls and foundations.
  • While pill bugs mainly feed on decaying plant material, they may sometimes nibble on soft seedlings or overripe fruits in gardens or potted plants.

What Causes Pill Bugs in Houses

  • Pill bugs rely on damp environments to survive. Leaky pipes, wet basements, and poorly ventilated areas create the perfect breeding ground.
  • Accumulations of mulch, fallen leaves, rotting wood, or compost piles near the foundation attract them. This increases the chance of them wandering indoors.
  • Small openings around doors, windows, and foundation walls are easy entry points for pill bugs in search of moisture.
  • Potted plants with excessive moisture, soggy garden beds, or poor yard drainage create an ideal habitat for pill bugs.
  • During dry weather, pill bugs may move indoors to find the moisture they need to survive, especially if their natural habitat becomes too dry.

How to Get Rid of Pill Bugs at Home

If you’ve noticed pill bugs scuttling across your floors or gathering in damp corners, you’ll need to address the conditions that are attracting them. Here’s how to get rid of pill bugs indoors:

Eliminate Moisture

  • Pill bugs thrive in humid environments. The first step in controlling them is to reduce moisture levels in your home. 
  • Use dehumidifiers in areas like basements, crawl spaces, or bathrooms.
  • Repair any leaking pipes or faucets and ensure that vents and fans are functioning properly.

Seal Entry Points

  • Pill bugs can enter your home through small cracks and gaps. Inspect the foundation, windows, doors, and any other entry points.
  • Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal cracks, especially around windows and doors, to prevent these pests from finding their way inside.

Caution

Wear disposable gloves to protect your hands from the caulk.

Use Traps

  • You can create simple traps to catch pill bugs. Place rolled-up newspaper or cardboard tubes in damp areas where pests are commonly found.
  • Pill bugs are attracted to the moisture in these materials, so by checking the traps regularly, you can remove them before they become a larger problem.

Clean Regularly

  • Keep your home clean by sweeping up food crumbs, vacuuming carpets, and removing any organic debris that could attract pill bugs.
  • Regular cleaning will eliminate potential food sources and disrupt their breeding grounds.

Natural Repellants

  • If you prefer a natural approach, there are several non-toxic repellents that can deter pill bugs.
  • Sprinkling diatomaceous earth around the perimeter of your home is one such method. This natural substance dries out the pill bugs' shells, making them lose moisture and die.

How to Get Rid of Pill Bugs in the Garden

Pill bugs often thrive in gardens, making their removal more challenging. However, several strategies can help. Here's how to get rid of them in the garden:

Improve Drainage

  • Pill bugs are attracted to moist, poorly drained areas. By improving the drainage in your garden beds, you can make your garden less inviting to these pests.
  • Avoid overwatering your plants and ensure that any excess water drains away.
  • Raised garden beds can also help with drainage and discourage pill bugs from establishing a presence.

Remove Debris

  • Pill bugs feed on decaying organic matter, so removing fallen leaves, dead plants, and mulch that is too thick can help reduce their food source.
  • Be sure to clean up around the base of plants and ensure that compost piles are well-maintained and turned regularly to speed up decomposition.

Add Plants

  • Certain plants are known to repel pill bugs due to their strong scents.
  • Consider planting marigolds, lavender or rosemary in your garden.
  • Not only will these plants add beauty and fragrance, but they can also serve as a natural deterrent to pill bugs.

Introduce Natural Predators

  • Introducing natural predators into your garden can help control pill bug populations.
  • Certain birds, frogs, and toads enjoy feasting on pill bugs, and beneficial insects like predatory beetles can help manage their numbers.
  • Encourage these creatures by creating a wildlife-friendly garden with birdbaths or ponds.

How to Prevent Pill Bugs

To keep pill bugs out of your home, focus on reducing moisture levels and sealing entry points.

  • Use dehumidifiers in damp areas and fix any leaky pipes.
  • Caulk around windows, doors, and foundation openings.
  • Make sure gutters and downspouts slope away from your home.
  • Keep your yard free of dead leaves, rotting wood, and thick mulch.
  • Ensure proper drainage in potted plants and garden beds.

Whether you’re dealing with pill bugs in your home or garden, prevention is key. Knowing how to get rid of pill bugs involves combining prevention cultivation practices and potential chemical treatments.

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